**Core Concept**
Rubella in pregnancy can lead to congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), a condition associated with fetal anomalies, deafness, and developmental delay. The management of rubella in pregnancy involves minimizing the risk of transmission to the fetus.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
If a pregnant woman is exposed to rubella, the risk of transmission to the fetus is highest during the first 20 weeks of gestation. In this scenario, the patient is 22 weeks pregnant, and the risk of transmission is still present. To minimize this risk, the patient should be administered immunoglobulin (Ig) within 72 hours of exposure. This provides temporary, passive immunity against the virus. Additionally, the patient should be advised to avoid close contact with anyone who has a rash illness, as rubella is highly contagious.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because there is no evidence to support the use of antiviral medications in the management of rubella in pregnancy. In fact, the use of antiviral medications in pregnancy is generally avoided due to the potential for teratogenic effects.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect because the administration of live attenuated vaccines, such as the MMR vaccine, is contraindicated in pregnancy due to the theoretical risk of transmission of the live virus to the fetus.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
It is essential for healthcare providers to be aware of the risk of rubella in pregnancy and to take prompt action to minimize the risk of transmission to the fetus. The administration of Ig within 72 hours of exposure can significantly reduce the risk of CRS.
**Correct Answer:** The patient should be administered immunoglobulin (Ig) within 72 hours of exposure to minimize the risk of transmission to the fetus.
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