Deck 14: Risk of Infectious and Communicable Diseases

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?

A) Host
B) Environmental reservoir
C) Agent
D) Portal

Answer 1

Agent

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.)

A) Pathogenic microorganism
B) Portal of exit from the infected person
C) Means of transmission
D) Portal of entry to a susceptible host
E) Organism that harbors the infectious agent

Answer 2

Portal of exit from the infected person
Means of transmission
Portal of entry to a susceptible host

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.)

A) Fungi
B) Fomites
C) Bacteria
D) Viruses
E) Helminths

Answer 3

Fungi
Bacteria
Viruses
Helminths

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.)

A) Age
B) Sex
C) Occupation
D) Physical and emotional health
E) Immune status

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?

A) Carrier time
B) Colonization
C) Incubation period
D) Latent period

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?

A) Airborne
B) Droplet
C) Direct contact
D) Indirect contact

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?

A) Animals
B) Insects
C) Reptiles
D) Water

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?

A) Endemic
B) Epidemic
C) Pandemic
D) Outbreak

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?

A) Same person or vehicle as the reservoir or means of transmission
B) Infection transmitted from person to person over a short period of time
C) Generation of a secondary infection with the usual incubation period for the infection
D) Generation of a tertiary infection following exposure to a primary case

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?

A) Local
B) State
C) Federal
D) International

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?

A) Department of Health and Human Services
B) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
C) World Health Organization
D) Department of Defense

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.)

A) Starting an intravenous line for fluid and electrolyte replacement
B) Encouraging the client and the client's family to practice good handwashing
C) Immediately disinfecting all potentially contaminated objects and surfaces
D) Isolating the client until 12 hours after the client has been symptom free
E) Administering a vaccination

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?

A) Campylobacter
B) Listeria monocytogenes
C) Salmonella
D) Escherichia coli O157:H7

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?

A) Campylobacter
B) Listeria monocytogenes
C) Salmonella
D) Escherichia coli O157:H7

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?

A) One level teaspoon of salt and eight level teaspoons of sugar into one quart or liter of clean drinking water
B) Eight level teaspoons of salt and one level teaspoon of sugar into one quart or liter of clean drinking water
C) One level teaspoon of salt and one level teaspoon of sugar into one quart or liter of clean drinking water
D) Eight level teaspoons of salt and eight level teaspoons of sugar into one quart or liter of clean drinking water

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?

A) 3 to 5 days
B) 5 to 7 days
C) 7 to 10 days
D) 12 to 14 days

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?

A) Two or more people with laboratory-confirmed primary amebic meningoencephalitis
B) Two or more cases of chemical poisoning if water quality data indicate contamination by the chemical
C) Two or more people having experienced a similar illness after exposure to water
D) Epidemiologic evidence implicating drinking water as the probable source of the illness

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.)

A) Human papillomavirus
B) Herpes simplex
C) Chlamydia
D) Gonorrhea
E) Syphilis

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.)

A) Having multiple sexual partners
B) Using a condom during sex
C) Having no other STIs
D) Having a sexual partner who has had an STI
E) Receiving a blood transfusion

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?

A) Abstinence
B) Monogamous relationship with an infected partner
C) Washing the genitals after sex
D) Use of latex condoms

Question 21

A client presents with several ulcerative sores on his penis that are firm, round, and painless. He also has rough, reddish brown spots on his palms and the bottoms of his feet. He acknowledges that he is sexually active with multiple partners and is inconsistent in his use of a condom. Which sexually transmitted infection should the nurse most suspect in this client?

A) Gonorrhea
B) Chlamydia
C) Syphilis
D) Human papillomavirus