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Folic acid standard dose — DFSRH MCQ

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HardReproductive HealthFolic acid standard doseDFSRH

A 30-year-old planning pregnancy has no documented MMR vaccination and rubella IgG is negative. She is not pregnant and uses condoms. What is the best preconception plan?

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Correct answer: BOffer MMR vaccination and avoid pregnancy for one month

The best answer is “Offer MMR vaccination and avoid pregnancy for one month”. A non-immune person should be offered MMR vaccination before pregnancy and advised to avoid conception for one month because MMR is a live vaccine. It is not given during pregnancy. Folic acid remains important but does not mitigate congenital rubella risk, so vaccination and reliable short-term contraception should be coordinated. The correct decision follows only after combining the stated timing, competing risks, patient preference and follow-up requirements. The alternative actions are reasonable in neighbouring clinical situations, but they do not fit all of the discriminating facts in this stem. The cited UK guidance governs both the immediate action and the safety-netting that follows.

Reference: UKHSA, MMR vaccination programme guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mmr-for-all-general-leaflet/mmr-for-all-general-guide