NCLEX · Immunizations and Health Screening

Which adult vaccinations does the CDC recommend?

Correct answer

Annual influenza, Tdap (then Td booster every 10 years), Shingles (50+), Pneumococcal (65+ or risk factors), HPV (through age 26), and others based on age and risk factors

  1. A Only travel vaccinations
  2. B Annual influenza, Tdap (then Td booster every 10 years), Shingles (50+), Pneumococcal (65+ or risk factors), HPV (through age 26), and others based on age and risk factors
  3. C Only childhood vaccinations
  4. D None for adults

Why this is the answer

Standard adult vaccination recommendations (CDC ACIP): (1) Influenza — annually for all adults, especially essential for healthcare workers, elderly, pregnant women, immunocompromised; (2) Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) — at least once for all adults; then Td or Tdap booster every 10 years; Tdap during each pregnancy (27-36 weeks) for pertussis protection of newborn; (3) Pneumococcal — PCV15 or PCV20 followed by PPSV23 for adults 65+ and younger adults with risk factors (diabetes, COPD, heart disease, immunocompromised); (4) Shingles (Zoster) — Shingrix (recombinant zoster vaccine, 2 doses) for adults 50+; replaces the older Zostavax; (5) HPV — for unvaccinated adults through age 26 (and 27-45 in some circumstances per shared decision-making); (6) COVID-19 — current CDC recommendations; (7) Hepatitis A and B — for adults at risk or seeking protection; HepB now recommended for all adults 19-59; (8) MMR — adults born after 1957 without immunity; (9) Varicella — adults without immunity; (10) Meningococcal — for specific risk groups; (11) Travel vaccines — yellow fever, typhoid, etc. for international travel. Nurses commonly assess vaccination status and provide vaccinations in primary care, occupational health, and public health settings.
Source: NCLEX-RN, Immunizations — Adult

Practice more questions

This question is from our NCLEX Practice Tests practice test. Take the full practice test to test your knowledge across all Immunizations and Health Screening and other topics.

Take the RN: Health Promotion and Maintenance practice test →

About this topic: Immunizations and Health Screening

Immunizations and screening questions cover the recommended vaccine schedules, contraindications and live-vaccine precautions, and age- and risk-based screening recommendations. This is one of 15 RN: Health Promotion and Maintenance questions on immunizations and health screening, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

New to this exam? Our NCLEX exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

Related questions

State-specific guides

Need information for your state? Our state guides cover local requirements, fees, and what to expect on exam day.