Question 1

The nurse works with a female client who recently developed an infection of Staphylococcus aureus while in the hospital. The nurse would determine that S. aureus is which component in the chain of infection?

Accepted Answer

S. aureus is the pathogen causing the infection, making it the agent in the chain of infection. The agent is the microorganism (bacteria, virus, fungus, or parasite) that causes the disease.

Question 2

A student nurse asks if an infectious disease is the same thing as a communicable disease. The nurse explains that an infectious disease is not necessarily a communicable disease. Which factor could the nurse point out that a communicable disease must have that an infectious disease would not have to have? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Communicable diseases require a portal of exit from the infected person, a means of transmission, and a portal of entry to a susceptible host to spread from one individual to another, whereas infectious diseases do not necessarily need these factors to exist.

Question 3

The student nurses have completed a session exploring infections and biologic agents. The instructor would determine the session is successful when the student nurses correctly choose which as a biologic agent in the infectious process? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Fungi, bacteria, viruses, and helminths are all types of biologic agents that can cause infections. Fomites, on the other hand, are inanimate objects that can harbor and transmit infectious agents but are not themselves living organisms capable of causing infections.

Question 4

In infectious disease epidemiology, just the presence of an infectious agent is not sufficient to produce an infectious disease. Which host factors determine whether a person is at risk for an infection or an infectious disease? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

The answer of In infectious disease epidemiology, just the presence...

Question 5

The school nurse is concerned when a student presents to the office with chickenpox. The nurse determines that some of this student's classmates are most likely in which part of the infectious cycle?

Accepted Answer

The incubation period is the time between exposure to a pathogen and the appearance of symptoms. Since chickenpox has a well-defined incubation period (typically 10 to 21 days), classmates exposed to the student with chickenpox would be in their incubation period, during which they may not show symptoms but could be developing the illness.

Question 6

The nurse notes a client arrives for an appointment who appears to have a severe upper respiratory infection. Which mechanism of transmission is the nurse most likely attempting to prevent by requesting this client to wear a mask while sitting in the waiting room?

Accepted Answer

Airborne transmission occurs when infectious agents are carried on small particles that can remain suspended in the air for long periods of time and can be inhaled by others.

Question 7

The student nurse is creating a poster for a class project which will illustrate the chain of infection. Which item should the student nurse point out as a vehicle in this chain?

Accepted Answer

Vehicles in the chain of infection refer to the means by which infectious agents are transported and include substances like water, food, blood, and air. Water can act as a vehicle by carrying pathogens and spreading diseases.

Question 8

A nurse is preparing to travel to Asia to assist with care of clients suffering from chloroquine-resistant malaria. Which type of disease occurrence is this nurse becoming involved with if this disease also occurs in most of Africa, the Middle East, and the South Pacific islands?

Accepted Answer

Chloroquine-resistant malaria is considered endemic in regions like Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the South Pacific islands, meaning it is consistently present in these areas.

Question 9

A nurse is preparing a description of an epidemiologic problem. Which factor should the nurse be prepared to point out will occur with a propagated outbreak?

Accepted Answer

A propagated outbreak involves person-to-person transmission, leading to secondary infections that occur after the usual incubation period for the infection.

Question 10

Several levels of public health surveillance are necessary to protect the nation's health. At what level are healthcare providers and health facilities required to report certain infectious diseases?

Accepted Answer

Healthcare providers and health facilities are primarily required to report certain infectious diseases at the state level. State health departments then have the responsibility to report up to federal levels as necessary, following national guidelines and regulations.

Question 11

The community health clinic is noting a rise in the number of individuals with H1N1 virus and is concerned that an epidemic is occurring. Which agency would be most appropriate to become involved with this situation?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The community health clinic is noting a...

Question 12

A client arrives on the unit, diagnosed with norovirus infection from eating shellfish. The client has been vomiting repeatedly and is now severely dehydrated. Which interventions are likely to be performed for this client? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Starting an intravenous line for fluid and electrolyte replacement is necessary to prevent dehydration. Encouraging the client and the client's family to practice good handwashing helps prevent the spread of infection. Immediately disinfecting all potentially contaminated objects and surfaces helps prevent the spread of infection.

Question 13

A client presents with severe diarrhea. The client tells the nurse that she went to a chicken roast at church the previous weekend. The nurse suspects a foodborne illness. Which cause of bacterial foodborne illness should the nurse most suspect in this case?

Accepted Answer

Campylobacter is a common cause of foodborne illness associated with poultry, including chicken.

Question 14

A client arrives at the clinic reporting diarrhea and flu-like symptoms. On questioning, the client tells the nurse about a family gathering she attended recently where she had some smoked seafood. Which foodborne illness should the nurse most suspect in this client?

Accepted Answer

Listeria monocytogenes is often associated with smoked seafood and can cause flu-like symptoms and gastrointestinal distress, fitting the client's description.

Question 15

The client reports diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 24 hours following exposure to raw eggs while cooking. Which recipe should the nurse recommend for the client to prepare at home to help with rehydration that is efficient and effective?

Accepted Answer

The correct choice is A) One level teaspoon of salt and eight level teaspoons of sugar into one quart or liter of clean drinking water. This ratio is recommended for oral rehydration solutions to effectively treat dehydration caused by diarrhea, as it closely matches the electrolyte balance needed by the body.

Question 16

A client reports symptoms of severe abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting after eating commercially packaged salad. The nurse suspects Escherichia coli O157:H7. The client asks about the average time of resolution of these symptoms. What time frame should the nurse point out?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A client reports symptoms of severe abdominal...

Question 17

The public health department nurses are concerned the community is experiencing an outbreak of Cryptosporidium. Which criteria must be met to define this outbreak as a water-associated disease outbreak?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The public health department nurses are concerned...

Question 18

A 16-year-old client visits the community health clinic with concerns that she may have a STI. She asks whether STIs are treatable. Which STIs should the nurse point out are easily treated and curable? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis are bacterial infections that can be easily treated and cured with antibiotics. Human papillomavirus (HPV) and Herpes simplex are viral infections, for which there is no cure, but symptoms can be managed.

Question 19

The school nurse is preparing for a health class discussion covering the basics of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Which factors should the nurse point out will place an individual at high risk for acquiring a STI? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Having multiple sexual partners and having a sexual partner who has had an STI are both risk factors for acquiring an STI.

Question 20

A client wants to know the best way to avoid STIs. Which actions should the nurse point out will help decrease the risk of becoming infected with a STI?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A client wants to know the best...

Quiz 14: Risk of Infectious and Communicable Diseases