Deck 13: Preventing Infectious Diseases

Question 1

The general term for a disease-causing agent is

A) virus.
B) infection.
C) pathogen.
D) bacterium.

Answer 1

pathogen.

Question 2

The general term for the environment in which an infectious agent grows and thrives is its

A) reservoir.
B) incubator.
C) natural state.
D) dormant state.

Answer 2

reservoir.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a form of direct transmission?

A) kissing
B) drinking from a friend's water glass
C) breathing in someone's sneeze
D) sexual intercourse

Answer 3

drinking from a friend's water glass

Question 4

In the context of infectious diseases, what is a vector?

A) the connection between any two links in the chain of infection
B) a primitive one-celled organism that causes disease in humans
C) a living organism that serves as a mode of transmission for a pathogen
D) the substance released by an infectious agent that causes symptoms in humans

Question 5

Tuesday afternoon you began to feel sick. Wednesday you were sick in bed all day. Thursday you felt better. Your time in bed Wednesday probably marked the __________ stage of the infection.

A) clinical
B) recovery
C) incubation
D) prodromal

Question 6

The stage of infection from the time a pathogen enters your body until symptoms appear is known as the_______________ stage.

A) clinical
B) recovery
C) incubation
D) prodromal

Question 7

An example of your body's so-called first line of defense against infections would be

A) T-cells.
B) skin.
C) antigens.
D) antibodies.

Question 8

Which of the following terms is applied to any foreign substance that stimulates a response from the immune system?

A) toxin
B) antigen
C) microbe
D) bacterium

Question 9

The immunity you get from a vaccination is acquired

A) actively.
B) passively.
C) artificially.
D) nonspecifically.

Question 10

Natural immunity is acquired by

A) receiving an immunization.
B) preventing an infection from occurring.
C) receiving antibodies from another host.
D) experiencing and recovering from a disease.

Question 11

The role of antibodies is to

A) produce helper T-cells.
B) aid in the formation of killer T-cells.
C) destroy antigens and their toxins.
D) destroy suppressor T-cells.

Question 12

Macrophages are a form of

A) stem cells.
B) helper T-cells.
C) antibodies.
D) white blood cells.

Question 13

Which of the following has a responsibility to "turn off" the immune response?

A) T-helper cells
B) T-suppressor cells
C) T-memory cells
D) T-killer cells

Question 14

Which of the following BEST explains why stem cells are transplanted into people with damaged immune systems?

A) The patients' own stem cells are used up.
B) They are the most potent type of immune cell.
C) Stem cells are specialized for restoring immune functions.
D) Stem cells are absent of specialization and can develop into new immune system cells.

Question 15

Based on the most recent data from 2009, what percentage of children between the ages of 19-35 months received their scheduled immunizations?

A) 40
B) 60
C) 80
D) 90

Question 16

Which of the following, if contracted during pregnancy, can cause damage to the developing fetus?

A) rubella
B) whooping cough
C) polio
D) tetanus

Question 17

A potentially fatal illness that leads to the inflammation of the membranes that line the throat, swollen lymph nodes, and to heart and kidney failure is

A) chicken pox.
B) mumps.
C) diphtheria.
D) rubella.

Question 18

Adults are particularly underprotected in regard to

A) hepatitis and polio.
B) tetanus and diphtheria.
C) haemophilus influenzae type B.
D) chicken pox and mumps.

Question 19

Another name for the common cold is

A) influenza.
B) pandemia.
C) acute rhinitis.
D) congestive bronchitis.

Question 20

A type of infection spread in conjunction with the delivery of health care services is termed______________________ infection.

A) non-specific
B) nosocomial
C) non-institutional
D) non-medical

Question 21

To avoid catching another cold, which of the following will be the most useful strategy?

A) Wash your hands periodically when you are with groups of people.
B) Take extra vitamin C and herbal supplements.
C) Wear a mask when you go out in public.
D) Exercise for thirty minutes daily.

Question 22

The portal of entry for influenza is

A) the respiratory system.
B) the digestive tract.
C) breaks in the skin.
D) body fluids.

Question 23

The most common approach to treating influenza is to

A) receive antiviral shots.
B) take aspirin, rest and drink plenty of fluids.
C) take antibiotics.
D) avoid infection.

Question 24

Today, Suzanne began experiencing painful urination and the frequent, sudden need to urinate. She probably has

A) syphilis.
B) gonorrhea.
C) a yeast infection.
D) a urinary tract infection.

Question 25

Tuberculosis is a

A) bacterial lung infection that creates a chronic cough and endangers health.
B) viral lung infection marked by serious flares, when breathing is extremely difficult.
C) rapid and dangerous atrophy of lung tissues that is caused by invasive microorganisms.
D) general suppression of the immune system that results in frequent lung infections.

Question 26

The mode of transmission for tuberculosis is

A) direct transmission.
B) vector-based transmission.
C) droplet spread.
D) fecal-oral transmission.

Question 27

Of the following, the greatest current threat from tuberculosis in the United States comes from

A) virulent strains.
B) poor treatments.
C) secondary infections.
D) drug-resistant strains.

Question 28

Who of the following, when exposed to tuberculosis, is NOT likely to infect others?

A) an older adult
B) someone infected with HIV
C) a malnourished individual
D) a healthy individual

Question 29

The standard treatment for mononucleosis is

A) rest.
B) antibiotics.
C) physical therapy.
D) corticosteroid drugs.

Question 30

Fatigue that lasts for weeks and months in the absence of other symptoms is characteristic of

A) pneumonia.
B) tuberculosis.
C) Lyme disease.
D) mononucleosis.

Question 31

Which of the following is the MOST common form of pneumonia?

A) bacterial
B) viral
C) fungal
D) parasitic

Question 32

Which of the following is FALSE regarding chronic fatigue syndrome? It is an illness

A) that causes severe exhaustion and fatigue.
B) most often seen in men in their thirties and forties.
C) that causes confusion over its exact nature.
D) that causes headaches and an inability to concentrate.

Question 33

You have just taken your roommate to the hospital. She came down with what appeared to be flu two days ago, but you suspected meningitis when she complained of

A) a severe headache and stiff neck.
B) fatigue and lack of appetite.
C) body aches and chills.
D) nausea.

Question 34

The transmission of Hepatitis C is NOT caused by

A) sharing a beverage.
B) tainted blood in association with tattoos and piercings.
C) shared needles.
D) unprotected sexual intercourse.

Question 35

The mode of transmission for Lyme disease is

A) vector-based.
B) personal contact.
C) airborne particles.
D) exchange of body fluids.

Question 36

Which of the following is the BEST defense against Lyme disease?

A) Wash hands thoroughly.
B) Avoid sharing of eating utensils.
C) Stay away from people who have the disease.
D) Check yourself thoroughly for ticks after being outdoors.

Question 37

Which phase of Lyme disease may produce disorders of the heart and nervous systems?

A) acute phase
B) lasting phase
C) chronic phase
D) recovery phase

Question 38

You went hiking in the morning and, in the evening, you find that a deer tick has attached itself to your ankle. You remove it. What should you do now?

A) Seek antibiotic therapy at once.
B) Send the tick to your doctor for laboratory analysis.
C) Wash the bite and wait for the appearance of clinical symptoms.
D) Get immunized for Lyme disease within the next three weeks.

Question 39

Which of the following is an acute infection of the lungs that progresses rapidly and often kills the victim?

A) hepatitis
B) Lyme disease
C) toxic shock syndrome
D) hantavirus pulmonary syndrome

Question 40

You are cleaning your garage when you find a place where deer mice have nested. You are aware that they carry hantavirus, so your best option is to

A) leave the nest undisturbed.
B) soak the nest with disinfectant or bleach before removing and destroying it.
C) first probe to see if the mice are gone, then immediately throw the nest away.
D) carefully salvage as much of the nest as you can and send it to a state lab for analysis.

Question 41

The West Nile virus is transmitted to humans via

A) birds.
B) mosquitoes.
C) deer ticks.
D) deer mice.

Question 42

In the vagina, toxic shock syndrome occurs when

A) bacteria that enter tampons during their manufacture penetrate the body's defenses.
B) certain staphylococcal bacteria invade the bloodstream through the vaginal wall.
C) super absorbent tampons cause shock by absorbing blood too rapidly.
D) sexually transmitted pathogens penetrate the vaginal wall.

Question 43

Toxic shock syndrome is most strongly linked to the use of

A) super absorbent tampons.
B) light duty tampons.
C) sanitary napkins.
D) all tampons.

Question 44

Hepatitis is a viral inflammation of the

A) pancreas.
B) intestines.
C) kidneys.
D) liver.

Question 45

Hepatitis B and C are spread when the virus is introduced directly into

A) the ear.
B) body fluids.
C) the digestive tract.
D) the respiratory system.

Question 46

Most HIV infections occur through the exchange of blood, semen, or

A) tears.
B) saliva.
C) sweat.
D) vaginal secretions.

Question 47

The average incubation period for HIV infections (the time between infection and the appearance of symptoms) is about

A) six to twelve months.
B) two to six years.
C) six to eight years.
D) ten to twelve years.

Question 48

Many people are concerned that there is a relationship between the development of autism and which childhood immunization?

A) DTaP
B) Varicella
C) MMRP
D) HepA

Question 49

Which of the following BEST summarizes the current state of HIV/AIDS treatment?

A) It can be slowed, but not cured.
B) There are no effective treatments for HIV/AIDS.
C) It can be cured if caught before full-blown AIDS develops.
D) Experimental cures have been achieved, but they need to be approved by the FDA.

Question 50

Which of the following is the most effective way to avoid HIV infection?

A) Practice safer sex.
B) Avoid sexual activity.
C) Always use condoms for sex.
D) Learn the sexual history of prospective sexual partners.

Question 51

Chlamydia is a

A) rare infection of the reproductive system transmitted by indirect means.
B) pelvic inflammation that usually occurs because of poor hygiene.
C) sexually transmitted disease of bacterial origin.
D) side effect of a gonorrhea infection.

Question 52

Colds are caused by nosocomial infections.

Question 53

The best way to prevent transmission of colds is to wash your hands.

Question 54

Generally, you have flu and not a cold if you have a headache and high fever.

Question 55

Tuberculosis thrives in crowded places where infected people are in close proximity.

Question 56

Pneumonia will not develop if other infections are already present in the body.

Question 57

Mononucleosis is a viral infection in which the body produces an excess amount of white blood cells.

Question 58

A vaccine for mononucleosis is needed to prevent a repeat infection.

Question 59

The precise nature of chronic fatigue syndrome is unknown.

Question 60

There is a vaccine now available for meningitis.

Question 61

The characteristic rash associated with Lyme disease is always present with other symptoms.

Question 62

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a viral infection that spreads when humans inhale dust contaminated with dried virus-rich rodent urine- or saliva-contaminated materials, such as from nests.

Question 63

West Nile virus infection involves flu-like symptoms including fever and fatigue.

Question 64

Hepatitis is a viral infection of the liver.

Question 65

An HIV-infected person is considered to have AIDS when the T-helper cell count drops below a certain point.

Question 66

It is relatively easy to become infected with HIV.

Question 67

Women are at a much greater risk than men of contracting HIV through heterosexual contact.

Question 68

Although there is currently no cure for AIDS, researchers have slowed the progress of the disease in many people.

Question 69

In the United States, the incidence of chlamydia is second only to that of gonorrhea.

Question 70

Like many sexually transmitted diseases, genital warts are a greater risk for those who have multiple sexual partners.

Question 71

If left untreated, genital herpes can spread throughout the urinary tract and cause kidney damage.

Question 72

Several ointments are now available that can clear up herpes infections.

Question 73

Despite the popularity of over-the-counter remedies, vaginal yeast infections only respond to powerful prescription drugs.

Question 74

Nosocomial infections are spread exclusively through sexual contact.

Question 75

Describe the major links in the chain of infection, and explain the role of each.

Question 76

Describe the five stages of infection.

Question 77

Describe how the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is spread.

Question 78

Explain the relationship and the distinction between HIV infection and AIDS.

Question 79

Describe how you can reduce your risk of contracting HIV and sexually transmitted infections.