NUR 443 Exam 2 Study Guide Questions
with Latest Update
Endemic - Answer-The habitual presence of a disease within a given geographic area,
May also refer to the usual prevalence of a given disease within such an area
Epidemic - Answer-The occurence in a community or region of a group of illnesses of
similar nature, clearly in excess of normal expectancy
Outbreak
Pandemic - Answer-A worldwide epidemic
Infectious disease - Answer-Diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms, such as
bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi (e.g. tetanus from rusty nail)
Communicable diseases - Answer-Any infectious disease that can be transmitted from
animal to animal, animal to human, or human to human (i.e., contagious)
Any infectious disease that can be transmitted directly or indirectly to a person
For a disease to be communicable (or contagious), there must be a portal of exit from
the infected person , a means of transmission, and a portal of entry to a susceptible
host.
An infectious disease need not be contagious, or communicable.
Incubation period - Answer-Time interval between invasion of an infectious agent and
first signs and symptoms of disease.
2-4 hours for staphylococcal food poisoning
10-15 years for HIV
Communicable period - Answer-Time interval during which infectious agent may be
transferred from an infected person to another person.
Day before and 3-5 days after the clinical onset of symptoms for influenza
2-21 days Ebola
Agent - Answer-Bacteria, virus, parasite
Susceptible Host - Answer-Age, sex, physical, emotional health, and immune status
Environmental - Answer-Physical biologic, climate, sociopolitical, economic
Vector - Answer-Organism that transmits infection, conveying pathogen from host to
host without causing disease itself
Reservoirs - Answer-Habitat in which agent lives, grows, multiplies
,Any agent (person, animal or microorganism) that carries and transmits an infectious
pathogen into another living organism.
Portal of exit - Answer-Agent leaves the reservoir through portal of exit
Ear (earwax)
Broken skin (blood)
Skin (flakes)
Anus (feces)
Seminal vesicles (semen and lubricating secretions)
Eyes (tears)
Nose (secretions)
Mouth (saliva; sputum)
In females: Mammary glands (milk, secretions), Vagina (secretions, blood)
Urethra (urine)
Portal of entry - Answer-Broken skin
Insect Bite
Anus
Ear
Conjunctiva of eye
Nose
Mouth
Placenta
Vagina/ Penis
Urethra
Susceptible host - Answer-Organisms, usually humans or animals, which are exposed
to and subsequently harbor a disease
Vertical - Answer-Occurs from mothers to offspring
Horizontal - Answer-Virus are transmitted among individuals of the same generation
Direct Contact - Answer-Direct physical contact (body surface to body surface) leads to
transfer of the infectious agent
Indirect contact - Answer-Infectious agent is deposited on a surface and picked up by a
susceptible person
Droplet - Answer-Relatively large droplets are released via coughing or sneezing
containing the infectious agent
Airborne - Answer-Transmission via aerosols that contain the infectious agent
Fecal-oral - Answer-Agents are transmitted through contaminated water or food
, Vector-borne - Answer-Transmission by insect or animal vectors
Mandatory Reporting - Answer-Communicable disease reporting under State law is a
basic feature of our societal mechanisms for protection of public health.
Clinicians must report infectious diseases designated as dangerous to the public health
department.
Steps in outbreak investigation 1: 1. Verify the accuracy of disease reporting - Answer-
Consider changes in population, case definition, reporting procedures
Steps in outbreak investigation 2 - Answer-2. Determine if it is an "outbreak"
Steps in outbreak investigation 3 - Answer-3. Establish a case definition
Steps in outbreak investigation 4 - Answer-4. Identify additional cases
Steps in outbreak investigation 5 - Answer-5. Conduct descriptive epidemiology
Incubation Curves - Answer-Point source: exposure took place at one point in time
Common source: new exposures continue over time
Propagated infections: Peaked exposure to initial cases, followed by secondary cases
infected from person-to-person
Steps in outbreak investigation 6 - Answer-6. Generate and test hypotheses (eg.
disease causation, risk factors, transmission)
Steps in outbreak investigation 7 - Answer-7. Monitor course of the outbreak and
reassess strategies
7. Monitor course of the outbreak and reassess strategies - Answer-Refine hypothesis if
needed (have other potential explanations been overlooked?)
Sequential case-control studies (narrow down exposures to identify risk factors)
Steps in outbreak investigation 8 - Answer-8. Carry out lab and environmental
investigations
Steps in outbreak investigation 9: Implement disease control measures - Answer-
Control etiologic agents: Treat cases and manage exposed persons
Control source: Halt distribution of product, recall product, eliminate environmental
source
Control reservoir: Mosquito control (malaria, WNV, encephalitis), animal control (rabies)
Implement isolation or quarantine: Measles, TB, SARS
Immunizine susceptible hosts: Hepatitis, meningococcal meningitis, varicella, influenza
Steps in outbreak investigation 10 - Answer-10. Communicate findings
