NUR242 EXAM 2 2026 LIKELY QUESTIONS WITH
DETAILED ANSWER EXPLANATIONS
◉ infectious agent Answer: something that contains bacteria, fungi,
virus, parasite(s), or prion(s)
◉ reservoir Answer: the habitat of the infectious agent and is where
it lives, grows, and reproduces itself or replicates
animate examples: people, insects, birds, animals
inanimate examples: contaminated soil, water, food, medical
equipment, IV fluids, feces
◉ portal of exit Answer: the means by which the infectious agent can
leave the reservoir
examples: any body orifice (ears, nose, or mouth), the skin, or blood
or body fluids that leave the body through coughing, sneezing, etc.
◉ mode of transmission Answer: how a bacteria, virus, fungus,
parasite, or prion moves from place to place
,◉ contact transmission Answer: occurs when microorganisms move
from an infected person to another person
◉ droplet transmission Answer: occurs when airborne droplets
from the respiratory tract of a client travel through the air and into
the mucosa of a host
can be from sneezing, coughing, singing, and talking
medical procedures like CPR and intubation can release droplets
into the air
◉ airborne transmission Answer: occurs when small particulates
move into the airspace of another person and carry infectious agents
these patients should be placed in a private room with negative air
pressure (circulates the air outside of the building)
◉ portal of entry Answer: provides a place for an infectious agent to
enter the individual so it can replicate or its toxin can act
examples: any body orifice or the skin
◉ List factors that increase host susceptibility (8): Answer: - age
,- underlying disease (like HIV/AIDS)
- malignancy
- transplants
- medications (like immunosuppressants, antirejection meds, etc.)
- surgical procedures
- radiation therapy
- indwelling devices (like urinary catheters, central lines, etc.)
◉ List the modes of transmission (5): Answer: - contact
- droplet
- airborne
- vector
- vehicle
◉ vehicle transmission Answer: transmission of infectious agents to
multiple individuals through a common source, such as
contaminated food or water
example: food contaminated with e. coli
◉ vector transmission Answer: transmission of infectious agents
through animals, such as an inset or rodent
, examples: mosquitoes and rats
◉ Who can be a susceptible host? (4) Answer: - elderly
- infants
- immunocompromised
- anyone
◉ What are the 2 types of contact transmission? Answer: - direct
- indirect
◉ direct contact Answer: transmission occurs when microorganisms
are directly moved from the infected person to another person
without having a contaminated object or person between the 2
◉ indirect contact Answer: transmission occurs when
microorganisms are moved from the infected person to another
person with a contaminated object or person between the 2
◉ List infections caused by airborne transmission (3): Answer: -
tuberculosis
- rubeola (measles)
- varicella (chickenpox)
DETAILED ANSWER EXPLANATIONS
◉ infectious agent Answer: something that contains bacteria, fungi,
virus, parasite(s), or prion(s)
◉ reservoir Answer: the habitat of the infectious agent and is where
it lives, grows, and reproduces itself or replicates
animate examples: people, insects, birds, animals
inanimate examples: contaminated soil, water, food, medical
equipment, IV fluids, feces
◉ portal of exit Answer: the means by which the infectious agent can
leave the reservoir
examples: any body orifice (ears, nose, or mouth), the skin, or blood
or body fluids that leave the body through coughing, sneezing, etc.
◉ mode of transmission Answer: how a bacteria, virus, fungus,
parasite, or prion moves from place to place
,◉ contact transmission Answer: occurs when microorganisms move
from an infected person to another person
◉ droplet transmission Answer: occurs when airborne droplets
from the respiratory tract of a client travel through the air and into
the mucosa of a host
can be from sneezing, coughing, singing, and talking
medical procedures like CPR and intubation can release droplets
into the air
◉ airborne transmission Answer: occurs when small particulates
move into the airspace of another person and carry infectious agents
these patients should be placed in a private room with negative air
pressure (circulates the air outside of the building)
◉ portal of entry Answer: provides a place for an infectious agent to
enter the individual so it can replicate or its toxin can act
examples: any body orifice or the skin
◉ List factors that increase host susceptibility (8): Answer: - age
,- underlying disease (like HIV/AIDS)
- malignancy
- transplants
- medications (like immunosuppressants, antirejection meds, etc.)
- surgical procedures
- radiation therapy
- indwelling devices (like urinary catheters, central lines, etc.)
◉ List the modes of transmission (5): Answer: - contact
- droplet
- airborne
- vector
- vehicle
◉ vehicle transmission Answer: transmission of infectious agents to
multiple individuals through a common source, such as
contaminated food or water
example: food contaminated with e. coli
◉ vector transmission Answer: transmission of infectious agents
through animals, such as an inset or rodent
, examples: mosquitoes and rats
◉ Who can be a susceptible host? (4) Answer: - elderly
- infants
- immunocompromised
- anyone
◉ What are the 2 types of contact transmission? Answer: - direct
- indirect
◉ direct contact Answer: transmission occurs when microorganisms
are directly moved from the infected person to another person
without having a contaminated object or person between the 2
◉ indirect contact Answer: transmission occurs when
microorganisms are moved from the infected person to another
person with a contaminated object or person between the 2
◉ List infections caused by airborne transmission (3): Answer: -
tuberculosis
- rubeola (measles)
- varicella (chickenpox)
