Infectious disease outbreaks occur when disease-causing agents reach susceptible hosts and spread under favorable conditions. Understanding how infections move through a population helps nurses choose prevention measures that interrupt transmission.
Infectious diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi. These agents enter a host, multiply, and may cause illness. An infectious disease is not necessarily communicable from person to person: for example, some infections are acquired from contaminated soil, water, food, or animals.
All flashcards
What does the epidemiological triad describe?
The relationship among the infectious agent, a potentially infected host, and the environment.
What is the chain of infection?
A model of how an agent moves from a reservoir through transmission to a susceptible host.
How does airborne transmission differ from droplet transmission?
Airborne particles can remain suspended and be inhaled; droplets generally travel short distances.
What is pathogenicity?
An infectious agent’s potential to cause disease in a susceptible host.
What is the difference between endemic and pandemic disease patterns?
Endemic disease is present at an expected level in a place or population; a pandemic spreads across multiple countries or continents.
Quiz questions
When a person with HIV takes antiretroviral therapy as prescribed and sustains an undetectable viral load, what is true about sexual transmission?Answer: The risk of sexual transmission is prevented.
What can a positive TB skin or blood test establish on its own?Answer: It indicates TB infection but does not distinguish latent infection from active disease.
Which route most commonly transmits hepatitis A?Answer: The fecal-oral route, often through contaminated food or water.
How can people acquire Legionnaires’ disease from a contaminated water system?Answer: By inhaling contaminated droplets or aspirating contaminated water.
Which action is an example of tertiary prevention after an infectious disease diagnosis?Answer: Supporting treatment adherence and monitoring for complications.
Based on Population Health for Nurses by Jessica Ochs, Sherry L. Roper, Susan M. Schwartz (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.