What are viruses? Give examples. - correct answer smallest infectious agent
examples: EBV, hepatitis
What are bacteria? Give examples - correct answer single celled microorganism that
reproduces quickly
examples: streptococcus, E.coli
What are protozoan? Give examples. - correct answer 1. singled celled microorganisms found in
soil
2. most don't cause disease
example: toxoplasma gondii (can cause toxoplasmosis); P. falciparum (causes malaria)
What is fungi? Give example. - correct answer 1. microorganism with complex cell structure
2. most don't cause disease
example: candida (can cause infection)
What are parasites? Give example. - correct answer microorganisms that cause disease
When one has an infection, what is important to figure out? - correct answer what type of
microorganism is causing the infection
What class of medication is used to treat bacterial infections? - correct answer antibiotics
What can be checked for on a culture in a lab that is determined to be bacterial is origin? -
correct answer antibiotic sensitivity
What class of medication is used to treat virus infections? - correct answer antivirals
What class of medication is used to treat fungal infections? - correct answer antifungals
Describe the disease process (aka the chain of infection). - correct answer 1. microorganism in
reservoir host
-place to survive, multiply, and await transfer to susceptible host
-revivor host are considered carriers (ie asymptomatic but infected)
, -common reservoirs are humans, animals, insects, food, water, and organic material on
inanimate objects (fomites)
-specific environments are needed for microorganism to thrive (ie proper temp, pH, moisture
level, oxygen level, and amount of light)
2. after growing and multiplying, microorganism exists the revivor in order to enter a new
susceptible host
-common portals of exit are blood, skin/mucous membranes, respiratory tract, GI tract, GU
tract, and transplacental
3. microorganism is transferred to susceptible host
-can be transmitted in several ways (ie airborne, contact, droplet, vehicles, vectors)
-best prevention is hand hygiene
4. microorganism enters susceptible host
-uses same route as for exiting
5. susceptible host becomes infected
-susceptibility varies based on defenses against infection and certain risk factors that affect
susceptibility (ie age, nutritional status, stress, hygiene, indwelling devices, genetic
predisposition, use of immunosuppressive drugs, presence of chronic disease, etc.)
-strength and number of microorganisms as well as virulence affects susceptibility to infection
During infection, damage to the host is caused by what? - correct answer microorganisms...
1. depleting host's nutrients
2. reproducing themselves
3. making body cells the target of the body's own defense
4. producing toxins