CH14: Principles of Disease and Epidemiology Practice Test

An infection that does NOT cause any signs of disease is a(n) __________. A. endemic infection B. sporadic infection C. secondary infection D. subclinical infection

subclinical infection

Which type of nosocomial infection is the most common? A. urinary tract infection B. intestinal infection C. blood infection D. skin infection

urinary tract infection Urinary tract infections are the most common type of hospital-acquired infection

Ehrlichiosis is transmitted by ticks. This is an example of __________. A. airborne transmission B. vehicle transmission C. indirect contact transmission D. vector transmission

vector transmission

Plague is transmitted through the bite of an infected flea. Which of the following best describes this mode of transmission? A. direct contact transmission B. indirect contact transmission C. vehicle transmission D. vector transmission

vector transmission

Which of the following would be considered a vector? A. Water containing bacteria from fecal matter B. Saliva that is transmitted between individuals during kissing C. A fly carrying disease from fecal matter to food D. Water droplets that come from a sneeze from an infected individual

A fly carrying disease from fecal matter to food

Which of the following would be considered a fomite? A. An infected toy B. A tick C. A fly D. Contaminated water

An infected toy

Which of the following statements is TRUE? A. Members of a symbiotic relationship cannot live without each other. B. At least one member must benefit in a symbiotic relationship. C. At least one member must not benefit in a symbiotic relationship. D. Symbiosis refers to different organisms living together and benefiting from each other. E. A parasite is not in symbiosis with its host.

At least one member must benefit in a symbiotic relationship

Which of the following is considered a major category of transmission of disease? A. Vector transmission B. Vehicle transmission C. Contact transmission D. Contact, vehicle, and vector transmission

Contact, vehicle, and vector transmission

An infection transmitted by a hypodermic needle is transmitted by ________. A. a vector B. common vehicle transmission C. indirect contact D. direct contact E. droplet transmission

indirect contact

True or False A sporadic disease is constantly present in a population

False

True or False An example of a fomite is a mosquito.

False

True/ False Disease symptoms are readily measured by health care professionals

False

True/ False Most microorganisms are pathogenic and harmful to the human body

False

True/ False Water can serve as a human reservoir of Vibrio cholerae

False

What is the single most important means of preventing the spread of infection?

Hand washing

Any of these events may occur in diseases transmitted by vectors except ________. A. In biological transmission, vectors can spread pathogens by vomiting. B. In biological transmission, pathogens multiply in the vector, which can transmit the pathogens by injecting saliva directly into the host. C. In biological transmission, the vector multiplies in the human host. D. In biological transmission, a vector transmits pathogens by defecating while taking a blood meal. E. In mechanical transmission, insects contact feces containing pathogenic bacteria and transfer it to food.

In biological transmission, the vector multiplies in the human host.

What is the difference between normal and transient microbiota? A. Normal microbiota are opportunistic pathogens. B. Normal microbiota are permanently present. C. Normal microbiota cause disease. D. Normal microbiota are on the human body.

Normal microbiota are permanently present The difference between these two terms is that normal microbiota are permanently present, whereas transient microbiota are present only briefly

The fungus Coccidioides immitis is found in the soil. Humans contract coccidioidomycosis by inhaling fungal spores. Which of these descriptions applies to the role of soil in transmission of coccidioidomycosis? A. Soil is the carrier. B. Soil is the vector. C. Soil is the reservoir. D. Soil is the predisposing factor

Soil is the reservoir

Why would a disease be an epidemic in North America? A. The disease occurs at a lower rate than what would normally be expected in this region. B. The disease has spread to North America from Europe. C. Only a few cases are occurring in this region. D. The disease occurs at a higher rate than what would normally be expected in this region

The disease occurs at a higher rate than what would normally be expected in this region

Which of the following is not necessary to satisfy Koch's postulates? A. The organism must be present in every case of the disease. B. The organism must be grown in pure culture outside the diseased host. C. The organism must cause the disease when introduced from pure culture into a healthy host. D. The organism must cause disease through toxin production. E. The organism must be re-isolated from the experimentally infected diseased animal and shown to be identical to the original isolate.

The organism must cause disease through toxin production.

Which is an example of vehicle disease transmission? A. Touching a telephone with cold viruses on its surface B. The presence of Listeria on undercooked chicken served for dinner C. The bite of a mosquito containing malaria D. The transmission of MRSA from skin to skin contact

The presence of Listeria on undercooked chicken served for dinner

True or false Soil and water are examples of nonliving reservoirs.

True

True/ False A host can harbor a pathogen without developing a disease

True

True/ False A nosocomial infection is one that develops as a result of a stay in a health care facility.

True

True/ False Depending on the disease, individuals can be contagious during the incubation and prodromal periods as well as the periods of illness, decline, and convalescence.

True

True/ False In biological transmission, pathogens reproduce in the vector

True

True/ False Tetanus, which humans acquire from wounds that become infected with the soil microbe Clostridium tetani, is considered noncommunicable

True

True/ False The common cold is considered to be endemic in the United States

True

All members of the seven families for whom Mary Mallon prepared meals developed typhoid fever. Mary did not get sick. This is an example of __________. A. a nosocomial infection B. sporadic disease C. an opportunistic infection D. a carrier

a carrier Mary Mallon, popularly known as "Typhoid Mary," is the most famous carrier of typhoid fever. Carriers are defined as individuals who harbor pathogens without themselves getting sick

A contaminated cell phone is an example of A) a fomite B) a carrier WHY?

a fomite. A fomite is a nonliving object involved in the spread of disease

A chronic disease generally lasts A) a short period of time B) a long period of time.

a long period of time

Two patients developed endophthalmitis within 24 hours after corneal transplant surgery. Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated from conjunctival swabs of the affected eyes of both patients and from the supply of packing that was used to cover the eyes after surgery. This is an example of __________. A. a nosocomial infection B. contact transmission C. airborne transmission D. vehicle transmission

a nosocomial infection This infection was acquired at a medical facility during a medical procedure. Thus, it is a nosocomial infection

An example of a vector is A) a tick B) contaminated water.

a tick. A vector is an animal that carries pathogens from one host to another.

Which type of transmission is it when microbes are discharged in a fine spray and remain suspended for prolonged periods? A) droplet transmission B) airborne transmission. WHY?

airborne transmission. In airborne transmission, the microbes travel more than one meter in air whereas in droplet transmission, the agent travels less than one meter.

A patient acquires an infection by touching a contaminated door handle. Which mode of transmission best describes this scenario? A. direct contact transmission B. indirect contact transmission C. droplet transmission D. vehicle transmission

indirect contact transmission

In a patient with bacteremia, you would expect to find ________. A. bacteria in a localized area, such as an abscess B. bacterial toxins in the blood C. bacteria in the blood D. viruses in the blood E. an increase in bacteria in the blood and localized areas over time

bacteria in the blood

In a healthy human, resident microorganisms would be found in all of these areas except ________. A. conjunctiva B. bloodstream C. lower urethra D. tooth and gum surfaces E. nasal passages

bloodstream

Which one of these diseases is NOT communicable? A. botulism B. HIV C. streptococcal sore throat D. influenza

botulism Botulism is not spread from person to person and is thus considered a noncommunicable disease

Humans that transmit disease without showing illness themselves are known as A) carriers B) vectors.

carriers. Carriers harbor the pathogen and transmit it to others without exhibiting any signs of illness.

What term is used to describe a disease that can spread from person to person?

communicable

Women who have a healthy population of Lactobacillus spp. as part of the normal vaginal microbiota are less likely to get yeast infections. Which of the following terms is used to explain this observation? A. competitive exclusion B. synergism C. mutualism D. parasitism E. commensalism

competitive exclusion

An endemic disease is A) constantly present in a population B) occasionally present in a population

constantly present in a population

When aerosols containing pathogens spread disease from a distance of less than one meter, it is considered A. airborne transmission. B. vector transmission. C. waterborne transmission. D. contact transmission

contact transmission

Which type of transmission is it when a disease is transmitted sexually? A) vehicle transmission B) direct contact transmission.

direct contact transmission

If a disease occurs at a fairly stable rate, it is said to be A. endemic. B. pandemic. C. sporadic. D. epidemic.

endemic

A disease that is constantly present in a population is called a(n) __________. A. reportable disease B. communicable disease C. endemic disease D. epidemic disease

endemic disease

Which of the following definitions is INCORRECT? A. pandemic: a disease that affects a large number of people in the world in a short time B. sporadic: a disease that affects a population occasionally C. epidemic: a disease that is endemic across the world D. incidence: number of new cases of a disease E. endemic: a disease that is constantly present in a population

epidemic: a disease that is endemic across the world

A needlestick is an example of A. vector. B. .fomite C. direct contact. D. vehicle transmission. E. droplet transmission

fomite

Biological transmission differs from mechanical transmission in that biological transmission A. involves fomites. B. requires direct contact. C. requires an arthropod. D. involves specific diseases. E. works only with noncommunicable diseases.

involves specific diseases

Which of the following body sites typically does NOT have normal microbiota? A. kidney B. vagina C. skin D. nasopharynx

kidney

A disease in which the causative agent remains inactive for a time before producing symptoms is referred to as A. latent. B. subacute. C. subclinical. D. acute. E. zoonotic.

latent

A commensal bacterium A. does not infect its host. B. does not receive any benefit from its host. C. is beneficial to its host. D. may also be an opportunistic pathogen. E. is beneficial to, and does not infect, its host.

may also be an opportunistic pathogen

The passive transport of the pathogen on an insect's feet to a host is known as A) biological transmission B) mechanical transmission. WHY?

mechanical transmission. Mechanical transmission is the passive transport of the pathogen on an insect's feet or other body part to a host whereas in biological transmission, the pathogen reproduces in the vector and then is transmitted to a host.

In the human intestinal tract, E. coli produces vitamins beneficial to the host and can inhibit pathogen growth. In turn, the bacterium is supplied with nutrients and an environment for growth. This symbiotic relationship between E. coli and its host is an example of ________. A. commensalism B. opportunism C. parasitism D. antagonism E. mutualism

mutualism

Following coronary artery bypass surgery, seven patients develop Rhodococcus bronchialis infections. Cultures of the operating rooms, Nurse A, and Nurse B are taken. R. bronchialis grows from the hand and nasal swabs of Nurse A. The patients' infections are an example of a/an ________. A. endemic infection B. emerging infectious disease C. epidemic infection D. vector-borne infection E. nosocomial infection

nosocomial infection

Health care professionals who fail to use aseptic techniques can cause ________. A. nosocomial infections B. pathogens C. zoonoses D. predisposing factors E. herd immunity

nosocomial infections

Which of the following best defines the term pathology? A. the invasion and colonization of a host by a microorganism B.to structural and functional changes in an individual that are brought about by disease C. the study how the disease is started D. how the virus develops

pathology Pathology refers to structural and functional changes in an individual that are brought about by disease

Which of the following is the third stage of a disease? A. period of convalescence B. period of illness C. prodromal period D. period of decline E. incubation period

period of illness

Koch's postulates are a set of guidelines to follow if you want to __________. A. prove that a specific infectious disease is caused by a specific microorganism B. determine how a disease is transmitted C. cure a disease D. identify the reservoir for a disease

prove that a specific infectious disease is caused by a specific microorganism

Koch observed Bacillus anthracis multiplying in the blood of cattle. What is this condition called? A. septicemia B. systemic infection C. local infection D. bacteremia E. focal infection

septicemia

What is the term for the multiplication of pathogens in the blood?

septicemia

A disease that occurs only occasionally is called A) endemic B) sporadic WHY?

sporadic. Sporadic diseases occur occasionally whereas endemic diseases are constantly present in the population.

In a systemic infection, microorganisms are A) limited to a relatively small area of the body B) spread throughout the body.

spread throughout the body

Infections in which the pathogen is distributed throughout the body are referred to as "generalized infections" or ________. A. focal infections B. zoonoses C. emerging infections D. systemic infections E. local infections

systemic infections

Which of the following is NOT a communicable diseases? A. tetanus B. AIDS C. tuberculosis D. typhoid fever E. malaria

tetanus

Which of these diseases does not have a human reservoir? A. diphtheria B. AIDS C. gonorrhea D. strep infections E. tetanus

tetanus

Expected prevalence of a disease is A. the expected occurrence of a disease based on past observations. B. the number of new cases of a disease over a period of time. C. the total number of cases of a disease over a period of time. D. the anticipated geographical spread of a disease based on past observances

the expected occurrence of a disease based on past observations

Which is the number of people in a population who develop a disease during a particular time period? A) the incidence B) the prevalence WHY?

the incidence. The incidence is the number of people in a population who develop a disease during a particular time, whereas the prevalence takes into account both old and new cases.

The period of time characterized by early, mild symptoms of disease is known as A) the incubation period B) the prodromal period.

the prodromal period

Microorganisms that are present on the skin only for several days are known as A) normal microbiota B) transient microbiota

transient microbiota. Transient microbiota are present for days, weeks, or months, and then disappear

A dog develops a diarrheal disease after drinking water from a creek during a hike with his owner. Which of the following best describes this method of disease transmission? A. contact transmission B. vector transmission C. vehicle transmission D. There is not enough information to determine the mode of transmission.

vehicle transmission

Alfalfa sprouts were responsible for transmitting Salmonella to 32 people in four states. This is an example of __________. A. indirect contact transmission B. contact transmission C. droplet transmission D. vehicle transmission

vehicle transmission transmission via a medium, such as water, food, or air

Transmission of disease agents by water is known as A) indirect contact transmission B) vehicle transmission. WHY?

vehicle transmission. Vehicle transmission is the transmission of disease agents by a medium such as water, food, or air.

What are diseases called that are transmitted from animals to humans?

zoonoses