SDK100 TMA 01 2026 – Science and Health: An
Evidence-Based Approach | Full Questions,
Calculations & Answers | Open University
SDK100 TMA 01 2026 — Science and Health: An Evidence-Based Approach
Complete Practice Exam: Infectious Disease — 180 Questions with Detailed Explanations
Section 1: Foundations of Infectious Disease
Question 1
What is an infectious disease?
A) A disease caused by genetic factors
B) A disease caused by pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi
C) A disease caused by lifestyle factors
D) A disease caused by environmental toxins
Answer: B
Explanation: Infectious diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms including bacteria,
viruses, parasites, and fungi. SDK100 Topic 1 covers the nature of infectious diseases, the range
of infectious agents, the diseases they cause, and the risk factors that increase exposure or
susceptibility to infection .
Question 2
Which of the following is NOT a type of pathogen?
A) Bacteria
B) Viruses
C) Parasites
D) Vitamins
,Answer: D
Explanation: Pathogens are disease-causing microorganisms. Bacteria, viruses, and parasites
are all types of pathogens. Vitamins are essential nutrients, not pathogens.
Question 3
What is the primary focus of Topic 1 in the SDK100 module?
A) Nutrition and malnutrition
B) Understanding and treating pain
C) Infectious disease
D) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Answer: C
Explanation: Topic 1 of SDK100 is "Infectious disease." It describes the range of infectious
agents, the diseases they cause, and the risk factors that increase exposure or susceptibility to
infection .
Question 4
Which of the following is an example of a 'new' infection mentioned in the SDK100 module?
A) Common cold
B) Influenza
C) HIV/AIDS
D) Chickenpox
Answer: C
Explanation: The SDK100 module highlights the emergence of 'new' infections such as HIV/AIDS
and Ebola as signs that infectious diseases still threaten global health .
Question 5
What is the study of infectious diseases called?
A) Epidemiology
B) Infectious disease epidemiology
C) Pathology
D) Microbiology
,Answer: B
Explanation: The study of infectious diseases is called infectious disease epidemiology. It focuses
on the distribution and determinants of infections in populations.
Question 6
What is a pathogen?
A) A type of vitamin
B) A disease-causing microorganism
C) A type of immune cell
D) A type of antibody
Answer: B
Explanation: A pathogen is a disease-causing microorganism. Pathogens include bacteria,
viruses, fungi, and parasites that can cause infectious diseases.
Question 7
What is the difference between a sign and a symptom of infection?
A) Signs are subjective; symptoms are objective
B) Signs are objective findings (e.g., fever); symptoms are subjective experiences (e.g., pain)
C) Signs and symptoms are the same
D) Signs are always more severe than symptoms
Answer: B
Explanation: Signs are objective findings that can be observed or measured, such as fever or
rash. Symptoms are subjective experiences reported by the patient, such as pain or fatigue.
Question 8
Which of the following is a sign of infection?
A) Pain
B) Fatigue
C) Fever
D) Nausea
Answer: C
, Explanation: Fever is a sign—an objective finding that can be measured. Pain, fatigue, and
nausea are symptoms—subjective experiences reported by the patient.
Question 9
Which of the following is a symptom of infection?
A) Elevated white blood cell count
B) Rash
C) Pain
D) Fever
Answer: C
Explanation: Pain is a symptom—a subjective experience reported by the patient. Elevated white
blood cell count, rash, and fever are signs—objective findings that can be observed or measured.
Question 10
What is the primary route of transmission for respiratory infections?
A) Direct contact
B) Droplet transmission
C) Bloodborne transmission
D) Vector-borne transmission
Answer: B
Explanation: Respiratory infections are commonly transmitted through droplet transmission—
respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.
Question 11
Which of the following is an example of a directly transmitted infectious disease?
A) Malaria
B) Influenza
C) Rabies
D) Lyme disease
Answer: B
Evidence-Based Approach | Full Questions,
Calculations & Answers | Open University
SDK100 TMA 01 2026 — Science and Health: An Evidence-Based Approach
Complete Practice Exam: Infectious Disease — 180 Questions with Detailed Explanations
Section 1: Foundations of Infectious Disease
Question 1
What is an infectious disease?
A) A disease caused by genetic factors
B) A disease caused by pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi
C) A disease caused by lifestyle factors
D) A disease caused by environmental toxins
Answer: B
Explanation: Infectious diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms including bacteria,
viruses, parasites, and fungi. SDK100 Topic 1 covers the nature of infectious diseases, the range
of infectious agents, the diseases they cause, and the risk factors that increase exposure or
susceptibility to infection .
Question 2
Which of the following is NOT a type of pathogen?
A) Bacteria
B) Viruses
C) Parasites
D) Vitamins
,Answer: D
Explanation: Pathogens are disease-causing microorganisms. Bacteria, viruses, and parasites
are all types of pathogens. Vitamins are essential nutrients, not pathogens.
Question 3
What is the primary focus of Topic 1 in the SDK100 module?
A) Nutrition and malnutrition
B) Understanding and treating pain
C) Infectious disease
D) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Answer: C
Explanation: Topic 1 of SDK100 is "Infectious disease." It describes the range of infectious
agents, the diseases they cause, and the risk factors that increase exposure or susceptibility to
infection .
Question 4
Which of the following is an example of a 'new' infection mentioned in the SDK100 module?
A) Common cold
B) Influenza
C) HIV/AIDS
D) Chickenpox
Answer: C
Explanation: The SDK100 module highlights the emergence of 'new' infections such as HIV/AIDS
and Ebola as signs that infectious diseases still threaten global health .
Question 5
What is the study of infectious diseases called?
A) Epidemiology
B) Infectious disease epidemiology
C) Pathology
D) Microbiology
,Answer: B
Explanation: The study of infectious diseases is called infectious disease epidemiology. It focuses
on the distribution and determinants of infections in populations.
Question 6
What is a pathogen?
A) A type of vitamin
B) A disease-causing microorganism
C) A type of immune cell
D) A type of antibody
Answer: B
Explanation: A pathogen is a disease-causing microorganism. Pathogens include bacteria,
viruses, fungi, and parasites that can cause infectious diseases.
Question 7
What is the difference between a sign and a symptom of infection?
A) Signs are subjective; symptoms are objective
B) Signs are objective findings (e.g., fever); symptoms are subjective experiences (e.g., pain)
C) Signs and symptoms are the same
D) Signs are always more severe than symptoms
Answer: B
Explanation: Signs are objective findings that can be observed or measured, such as fever or
rash. Symptoms are subjective experiences reported by the patient, such as pain or fatigue.
Question 8
Which of the following is a sign of infection?
A) Pain
B) Fatigue
C) Fever
D) Nausea
Answer: C
, Explanation: Fever is a sign—an objective finding that can be measured. Pain, fatigue, and
nausea are symptoms—subjective experiences reported by the patient.
Question 9
Which of the following is a symptom of infection?
A) Elevated white blood cell count
B) Rash
C) Pain
D) Fever
Answer: C
Explanation: Pain is a symptom—a subjective experience reported by the patient. Elevated white
blood cell count, rash, and fever are signs—objective findings that can be observed or measured.
Question 10
What is the primary route of transmission for respiratory infections?
A) Direct contact
B) Droplet transmission
C) Bloodborne transmission
D) Vector-borne transmission
Answer: B
Explanation: Respiratory infections are commonly transmitted through droplet transmission—
respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.
Question 11
Which of the following is an example of a directly transmitted infectious disease?
A) Malaria
B) Influenza
C) Rabies
D) Lyme disease
Answer: B
