nursing science two

Question 1

What is a virus

Answer 1

A virus is an infectious microbe consisting of a segment of nucleic acid (either DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protein coat

Question 2

What are the four stages of infection

Answer 2

Incubation, prodromal, illness and convalescence

Question 3

What happens in the incubation stage of infection

Answer 3

there are no symptoms as there is not enough bacteria to cause them. The pathogen is growing in numbers and the patient is infectious at this time.

Question 4

What happens in the prodromal stage

Answer 4

non-specific signs become noticable (headache, lack of appetite), the pathogen grows in numbers and multiplies and the patient is infectious at this time

Question 5

What happens in the illness stage

Answer 5

This is when the signs and symptons are very pronouced, phase of rapid multiplication of pathogens and the patient is infectious at this time

Question 6

What happens in the convalescence stage

Answer 6

The symptom begin to disappear and the pathogen load declines but may still be present. The patient may still be infectious at this time.

Question 7

What are the four main types of viruses

Answer 7

Acute (influenza), sub-clinical (measles, HPV), latent (varicella zoster) and chronic (hepatitis B)

Question 8

What are the six functions of the skin

Answer 8

protection, sensory, excretion, vit D synthesis, stores blood and temperature rgulation

Question 9

What membranes line body cavities that open to the exterior

Answer 9

Mucous membranes

Question 10

What membranes line body cavities that do not open to the exterior

Answer 10

Serous membranes

Question 11

What is a reservoir and state some examples

Answer 11

• Habitat in which an agent can live, grow and multiply. examples: humans, animals, soil, water, air and food

Question 12

Define a portal of exit and state some examples

Answer 12

• path by which a pathogen leaves a host. Examples: blood, respiratory tract, broken skin, anus

Question 13

Define mode of transmission and state some examples

Answer 13

• The way in which an infectious agent may be transmitted from its reservoir to a susceptable host. Examples: direct contact,
  indirect contact, droplet and airboqurne.

Question 14

Define a portal of entry

Answer 14

The way a pathogen enters a susceptable host

Question 15

What is resident or normal flora

Answer 15

microorangisms that usually occupy a body site and do not cause diesease under normal circumstances

Question 16

What is transient flora

Answer 16

Microorganisms that transiently colonise the skin and can be easily removed