Chapter 16 Flashcards
Women who develop vaginal fungal infections usually have a history of having been prescribed antibiotics for bacterial infections. Which component of the epidemiological triangle contributes most to the development of vaginal infections?
a. Agent
b. Environment
c. Host
d. Agent and host
b. Environment
Antibiotics, while good little warriors against bacteria, also accidentally nuke the helpful microbes in the vaginal flora—creating an environment that yeast (like Candida albicans) absolutely thrives in. Like throwing a rager in a house where all the adults just left.
So, the answer being b. Environment actually makes solid sense. The antibiotics changed the internal environment, allowing the yeast to throw a microscopic party with no bouncer.
But here’s the subtle twist if you’re feeling academic and spicy:
• Agent = the yeast.
• Host = the woman (with her immune system, hormone levels, etc.).
• Environment = the altered microbiome due to antibiotics.
And in this context, the antibiotics changed the environment, making it the biggest contributing factor.
So yes, “b. Environment” is the correct answer. And yes, the phrase “epidemiological triangle” still sounds like something you’d learn about during a secret health cult meeting in a community center basement.
A communicable disease outbreak has occured in a town. At a town meeting with public health officials, a CHN is asked to explain the phrase “virulent organism.” what definition of virulence is correct?
a. Virulence is the ability to bypass nromal immunological response mechanisms.
b. Virulence is the ability to invade major organ systems.
c. Virulence is the ability to produce toxins and poisons that weaken the body.
d. Virulence is the ability to produce severe physical reactions.
d. Virulence is the ability to produce severe physical reactions.
“Virulence is how vicious a bug is—how bad it makes you feel.”
The more severe the reaction, the higher the virulence.
CHNs have been advised by the medical director to give injections of hep A immunoglobulin to selected susceptible persons in the event of a hep A epidemic. What outcome will be the result?
a. Active immunization
b. Long-lasting immunity
c. Natural immunity
d. Passive immunization
d. Passive immunization
Natural immunity is the kind your body develops on its own, either by getting sick and recovering (natural active) or by borrowing antibodies from someone else, like your mom during pregnancy or breastfeeding (natural passive). It’s all internal and organic—your body doing its immune thing without medical interference.
Artificial immunity, on the other hand, is immunity your body develops or receives thanks to medical intervention. That includes vaccines (artificial active), which teach your immune system to make antibodies, or injections of immunoglobulins (artificial passive), where you’re handed ready-made antibodies
Which statement about Salmonella made in a class about disease prevention indicates that additional teaching is needed?
a. “Certain pets and farm animals may be Salmonella carriers.”
b. “It is possible to transmit Salmonella through person-to-person contact.”
c. “Salmonella may be spread through blood once the infected blood is exposed to air.”
d. “Salmonella outbreaks are usually due to contaminated meat, poultry, and eggs.”
c. “Salmonella may be spread through blood once the infected blood is exposed to air.”
Which infectious disease intervention best represents primary prevention?
a. Giving a tetanus booster every 10 years
b. Giving a tetanus booster to a client after she steps on a nail.
c. Giving a tetanus immunoglobulin to a client after he steps on a nail.
d. Giving antibiotics to a client who has tetanus and placing the client on seizure precautions.
a. Giving a tetanus booster every 10 years
Which infectious disease intervention is most representative of secondary prevention?
a. Clients with HIV infection are encouraged to use condoms to protect their sexual partners.
b . Clients with HIV infection are given medications to improve immunological response.
c. Health care workers are encouraged to receive annual vaccinations for influenza.
d. Health care workers are required to have a tuberculosis skin test or chest X-ray.
d. Health care workers are required to have a tuberculosis skin test or chest X-ray.
Why? Because secondary prevention is all about screening and early detection. We’re not preventing TB from existing (that would be primary), and we’re not treating a known case of TB (that’s tertiary). We’re sniffing it out like a nosy raccoon before it spreads to everyone in the breakroom.
Here’s how the others break down:
• A = Primary prevention (condom use to prevent transmission—i.e., stop it before it starts).
• B = Tertiary prevention (meds to manage HIV, a condition they already have).
• C = Primary prevention again (vaccination to prevent flu from occurring in the first place).
A student asks the school nurse how AIDS is diagnosed. Which answer is correct?
a. AIDS is diagnosed through the negative results of a screening test called an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
b. Antibodies to HIV, which form in about 6 weeks to 3 months following infection with HIV, are detected in the blood.
c. Antibodies to HIV reach peak levels of 200/ml of blood.
d. AIDS is diagnosed through positive ELISA results and clinical signs of AIDS.
d. AIDS is diagnosed through positive ELISA results and clinical signs of AIDS.
A CHN asks a class to describe the ways in which HIV can be transmitted. Which student response indicates a need for additional teaching?
a. “HIV can be transmitted by droplet spread from sneezing or coughing.”
b. “HIV can be transmitted by having unprotected sex with someone who is infected.”
c. “HIV can be transmitted by sharing needles when shooting up drugs.”
d. “HIV can be transmitted through transfusions of blood products that are contaminated with HIV.”
a. “HIV can be transmitted by droplet spread from sneezing or coughing.”
For what reason should the school nurse recommend that an HIV-infected child not be allowed to attend school?
a. The child develops allergies with sneezing.
b. The school system requires students to receive routine immunizations.
c. There is an outbreak of chickenpox at the school.
d. There is a strong objection from parents of well children.
c. There is an outbreak of chickenpox at the school.
What STIs can be prevented through immunization?
a. Chlamydia
b. Gonorrhea
c. Hep B
d. Herpes
c. Hep B
What presents a challenge for HPV prevention?
a. HPV can be transmitted through all body fluids.
b. HPV warts may grow in areas that a barrier (e.g., a condom) does not cover.
c. With HPV, thin-walled pustules may rupture to form honey-coloured crusts.
d. With HPV, vesicles are hidden and ulcerate within 1 day.
b. HPV warts may grow in areas that a barrier (e.g., a condom) does not cover.
What would be a tertiary prevention measure implemented by the CHN to prevent TB?
a. Administered a purified protein derivative to the contacts of those infected with TB.
b. Initiating directly observed therapy for TB-positive clients
c. Providing education about he prevention of TB to members of the community.
d. Using skin tests to screen all health workers for TB.
d. Using skin tests to screen all health workers for TB.
A client with TB wants to know why directly observed therapy (DOT) is required as part of treatment. What CHN response wold be the most appropriate one?
a. “Clients with TB are often noncompliant; DOT will ensure that you take the drugs prescribed for you.”
b. “This therapy is recommended by TB experts as the best way to ensure that you receive the treatment you need and that the infection doesn’t become resistance to treatment.”
c. “This ensures that you get your medication even at the late stages of TB, when your memory may be affected by inadequate oxygenation to the brain.”
d. “TB medications are very expensive, and this method ensures that government health care resources are not wasted by those who will not take the drugs regularly.
b. “This therapy is recommended by TB experts as the best way to ensure that you receive the treatment you need and that the infection doesn’t become resistance to treatment.”
