Chapter 08: Communicable Diseases

Performing frequent hand-washing with soap and water, especially before eating or touching the face, is the most important intervention to include in the health presentation for preventing the spread of illness. Hand-washing is a simple and effective way to remove germs and prevent infections. It helps to eliminate the transmission of pathogens from contaminated surfaces to the mouth, nose, and eyes. This is particularly important in daycare facilities where children are in close contact with each other and are more prone to spreading illnesses. Regular hand-washing can significantly reduce the risk of infections and promote a healthier environment.

The first action that a community/public health nurse will take when beginning an investigation of a communicable disease is to identify the disease, isolate the causative agent, and determine the method of transmission. This is important in order to understand the nature of the disease, how it spreads, and how to prevent further transmission. Diagnosing the disease, asking patients to name contacts, and finding those contacts, as well as treating the problem and interviewing the client, are all actions that may come later in the investigation process. Using the media to share symptoms and causes and having professionals available to answer telephone calls, while important for public education and awareness, are not the first actions that the nurse will take in investigating the disease.

The best choice of action for the elderly man would be to bring his elderly wife and both receive the influenza immunization. This is because getting vaccinated is the most effective way to prevent influenza, especially for older adults who are at a higher risk of complications from the virus. Even if they received a vaccine last year, it is still recommended to get vaccinated annually as the strains of influenza can change from year to year.

Health care professionals are particularly at risk for Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. This is because they frequently come into contact with blood and other bodily fluids, which can contain the virus. HBV is highly contagious and can be transmitted through needlestick injuries, contaminated medical equipment, and unprotected sexual contact. Therefore, health care professionals who handle needles, perform surgeries, or provide direct patient care are at a higher risk of contracting HBV. It is important for these professionals to take precautions such as getting vaccinated and following proper infection control measures to prevent the spread of HBV.

The correct answer explains to the patient that antibiotics are not effective in treating viral respiratory infections. It also highlights the potential harm of using antibiotics unnecessarily, as it can lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This response educates the patient about the appropriate use of antibiotics and the potential risks associated with their misuse.

Ticks can carry Lyme disease, which is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and can lead to symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes. If left untreated, it can spread to the joints, heart, and nervous system and cause more severe complications. Therefore, it is important for the nurse to insist on the scouts checking each other for ticks after each hike to prevent the transmission of Lyme disease.

The nurse would know whether his or her time and effort were effective based on the local health department's report of a downward trend in newly diagnosed HIV infection. This indicates that the needle exchange program has been successful in reducing the spread of HIV among drug users at the homeless shelter.

A member of the janitorial staff who cleans floors and equipment in the hospital is probably most at risk for an infectious disease because they are in direct contact with potentially contaminated surfaces and equipment. They may come into contact with bodily fluids or other infectious materials while cleaning, increasing their risk of exposure to pathogens. Additionally, hospitals are high-risk environments for the transmission of infectious diseases, as they treat a variety of patients with different illnesses. Therefore, the janitorial staff is more likely to be exposed to infectious agents compared to the other individuals mentioned.

The nurse could truthfully say that wearing insect repellent is important because the West Nile virus is spread by infected mosquitoes. This statement acknowledges the fear of the virus and provides a practical measure to protect oneself from it.

Immunization according to the recommended schedule is the best example of effective primary prevention. Immunization helps to prevent the occurrence of diseases by providing immunity against them. Following the recommended schedule ensures that individuals receive the necessary vaccines at the appropriate time, maximizing their protection against various infectious diseases. This proactive approach targets the root cause of the diseases and aims to prevent their occurrence in the first place, making it an effective primary prevention method.

The reason for mumps outbreaks among young adults is that the mumps vaccine does not provide lifetime immunity. This means that even if individuals have received the vaccine in the past, their immunity to the virus may decrease over time, leaving them susceptible to mumps infection.

Several states have begun to require HIV testing for all incarcerated prisoners because the risk for infection is nearly five times higher among prisoners than in the general population. By implementing mandatory testing, prisons can identify individuals who are infected and provide them with proper treatment. This not only helps protect the health of the prisoners but also the public when prisoners are released, as diagnosed infections can be treated and managed. Additionally, by testing all prisoners, there is no stigma or discrimination, as everyone is treated equally before the law.

The HIV test result might be controversial because it involves testing for a sexually transmitted infection. Some individuals may have concerns about privacy and discrimination if their HIV status is disclosed. Additionally, there may be legal and ethical considerations regarding the use and storage of HIV test results. Therefore, the controversy surrounding the HIV test result makes it the correct answer.

The local health department is responsible for providing immunizations and direct care services. This is because the local health department is the primary provider of public health services at the local level. They are responsible for promoting and protecting the health of the community, which includes administering immunizations and providing direct care services to individuals. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention may play a role in providing guidance and resources, but the local health department is the entity directly responsible for these services.

Jacob Henle developed the scientific criteria of identifying the organism, isolating it, and determining whether it produces disease. This approach allows for a direct link between the specific organism and the disease it causes. By isolating the organism and observing its effects on a host, scientists can establish a causal relationship between the organism and the disease. This method helps in understanding the pathogenesis of the disease and developing appropriate treatments or preventive measures.

The correct assumption is that the staff want to counsel him on safer sex practices regardless of the test results. This is because the young man was asked to come to the public health department to get the results, indicating that the staff wants to provide him with counseling and information about safer sex practices. This suggests that the staff's intention is to educate and support him, regardless of whether the test result is positive or negative.

Infectious diseases in the United States today account for 25% of all physician visits and are still a major cause of death. This suggests that infectious diseases remain a significant health concern in the country, leading to a substantial number of medical consultations and contributing to mortality rates.

The nurse sharing information about the man's STD status with someone who is not authorized to receive that information violates patient confidentiality and privacy. The nurse should only disclose such information directly to the patient or to authorized healthcare professionals involved in the patient's care. Sharing this information with another person without the patient's consent is a breach of confidentiality and represents an error by the nurse.

Persons older than 65 who live in nursing homes and other extended-care facilities are most at risk for an outbreak of pneumococcal pneumonia. This is because older adults generally have weaker immune systems, making them more susceptible to infections. Additionally, living in close quarters in nursing homes and extended-care facilities increases the likelihood of transmission of the bacteria that cause pneumococcal pneumonia.

Passive immunity refers to the transfer of pre-formed antibodies from one individual to another. In this case, the newborn who had not yet received any immunizations represents an accurate example of passive immunity. The newborn relies on the antibodies passed from the mother through the placenta or breast milk for protection against certain diseases. This passive transfer of antibodies provides temporary immunity until the newborn's immune system develops its own protective response.

Balancing individual autonomy against community protection is a major ethical and legal issue for all community/public health care professionals. This issue involves the challenge of respecting an individual's right to make decisions about their own health and treatment, while also considering the potential impact on the larger community. It requires healthcare professionals to navigate the delicate balance between individual rights and the need to protect public health, especially in cases where an individual's choices may pose a risk to others. This issue raises complex ethical dilemmas and requires careful consideration and decision-making.

The accurate definition of pathogenicity is how invasive and virulent the organism is. Pathogenicity refers to the ability of an organism to cause disease or illness in a host. It is determined by factors such as the ability to invade host tissues and the severity of the disease caused. The other options mentioned in the question, such as mutation, agent presence, and host specificity, are not direct definitions of pathogenicity.

Antibiotics are important in reducing the spread of communicable diseases because they reduce the time during which the disease is contagious in the infected person. By targeting and killing the infectious agent, antibiotics can help to control the replication and spread of the disease-causing microorganisms. This reduces the period during which the infected person can transmit the disease to others, ultimately limiting the overall transmission and spread of the disease within a population.

The young woman whose first child has just been enrolled in daycare is most likely to experience illness because young children in daycare are often exposed to various germs and illnesses, which can easily be transmitted to their parents. Additionally, the woman may experience increased stress and fatigue from managing her new responsibilities as a mother and balancing work and childcare, which can weaken her immune system and make her more susceptible to illness.

The clients with indwelling portals of entry, such as Hickman catheters, should be the focus of infection control because these individuals have a higher risk of developing nosocomial infections. Indwelling catheters provide a direct pathway for bacteria to enter the body, increasing the chances of infection. By focusing on infection control measures for this population, such as proper catheter care and hygiene, the nurse can effectively decrease the rate of nosocomial infections.

The elderly woman who recently emigrated with her family from Asia would be most at risk for contracting an infectious disease. This is because she has potentially been exposed to different pathogens and may not have built up immunity to them. The change in environment, climate, and exposure to new people and surroundings increases her vulnerability to infectious diseases. Additionally, the lack of access to healthcare and vaccination in some regions may also contribute to her risk.

The correct answer is "The biologist decided to set up his living quarters in one of the dusty caves, which he first swept out." This is an example of indirect transmission because the biologist is potentially exposing himself to disease-causing pathogens that may be present in the dusty cave. By sweeping out the cave, he is disturbing any potential pathogens and creating a risk of inhaling or coming into contact with them.

Safe water and sewage systems, as well as milk pasteurization, have had the most success in protecting the public's health. These actions have significantly reduced the spread of waterborne diseases and improved overall sanitation. Safe water and sewage systems ensure that people have access to clean drinking water and proper waste disposal, preventing the transmission of diseases through contaminated water. Milk pasteurization, on the other hand, kills harmful bacteria and pathogens in milk, making it safer for consumption and reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses. These measures have played a crucial role in preventing the spread of infectious diseases and improving public health outcomes.

The correct answer is that the measles vaccine did not provide lifetime immunity. This means that even if individuals had received the vaccine, their immunity to measles would eventually wane over time, leaving them susceptible to the disease. This contributed to several measles epidemics in the 1990s as the number of susceptible individuals increased, allowing the virus to spread more easily.

One of the first public health measures legislated by the U.S. federal government was the use of the power to impose quarantine. Quarantine is a measure taken to prevent the spread of contagious diseases by isolating and restricting the movement of individuals who may have been exposed to the disease. This measure was implemented to protect the public from the transmission of infectious diseases and has been an important tool in public health throughout history.

The probable risk of the child getting measles in elementary school is low because most of the child's playmates have been immunized. Immunization helps to create herd immunity, which means that when a large percentage of the population is vaccinated, it becomes difficult for the disease to spread. Therefore, even if the child is exposed to measles, the likelihood of contracting the disease is low because the majority of their classmates are immunized and less likely to be carriers of the virus.