Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Exam Prep 2025 – Complete Practice Resource

The hallmark symptom of smallpox is a rash that develops in distinctive stages. Initially, the rash appears as flat, red spots, which then progress to raised bumps and eventually develop into pus-filled lesions. This characteristic eruption typically starts on the face and spreads to other parts of the body.

This pattern of rash is unique to smallpox and sets it apart from other illnesses, making it a critical feature in diagnosis. The systematic progression from macules to papules and finally to vesicles and pustules is essential in identifying smallpox. Other symptoms may accompany the rash, but the rash itself is the most definitive indicator of the disease.

The other options, such as chronic cough, severe abdominal pain, and altered mental status, are not specific to smallpox and do not capture the defining features of the disease. Chronic cough might be associated with respiratory illnesses, severe abdominal pain could indicate a variety of gastrointestinal conditions, and altered mental status is indicative of many different medical issues but not specifically linked to smallpox.