NR 416 Exam 1 Study Guide With
Complete Solutions
are the 6 links in the chain of infection? - ANSWER 1. infectious agent
2. reservoir
3. portal of exit
4. means of transmission
5. portal of entry
6. susceptible host
Infectious Agent
- what is it?
- examples of them
- characterized by? - ANSWER - microorganisms that can cause disease
1. bacteria (oxygen needed b/c aerobic; gram stain +/- ; classified by
shape)
2. viruses (flu, colds, antibiotic resistant)
3. fungi (present in air, soil, water)
4. helminths (worms), protozoa (giardia), parasites (lice, scabies), prions
(misfolded protein that may cause neurological disease)
- characterized by: communicability, immunogenicity, virulence, host
specificity, mutation, infectivity, toxigenicity
Reservoir
- what is it?
- what are common ones?
- cases vs carriers - ANSWER - habitat where pathogens live, grow &
multiply
- common reservoirs: humans, animals, & environment (surfaces, water,
soil)
- in humans, have cases (person has current infection & symptoms
present) ; carriers (intermittent, chronic, & incubating)
, Portal of Exit
- what is it?
- - ANSWER - the way it leaves the reservoir
Means of Transmission
- what is it?
- what are the ways? - ANSWER - the way it moves from the portal of exit
to the new host
- via contact (direct vs indirect) ; common vehicle (food) ; airborne spread
(coughing/sneezing/talking)
Portal of Entry
- what is it?
- what are examples? - ANSWER - the way the pathogen enters the body
- Respiratory tract, GI & GU tracts, Integumentary System, transplacental,
and blood
Susceptible Host
- what is it?
- characteristics? - ANSWER - a person lacking effective resistance to a
pathogen and have characteristics which influence susceptibility
- Non-modifiable (genetics, age, gender)
- Modifiable (exposure quantity/duration, socioeconomic status, lifestyle,
immunization status, hygiene)
Normal Flora
- what is it - ANSWER - microorganisms that do not (normally) cause
disease and is often necessary for normal functioning
Transient Flora
- what is it?
- where are they found) - ANSWER - microorganisms that are always
present in the environment and transferred through contact (easily washed
away)
- occur on hands with daily living ; fewer # on clean & exposed areas of
skin ; more # under fingernails ; can be pathogenic/nonpathogenic
Pathogen
- what is it? - ANSWER - microorganisms that can cause disease
Complete Solutions
are the 6 links in the chain of infection? - ANSWER 1. infectious agent
2. reservoir
3. portal of exit
4. means of transmission
5. portal of entry
6. susceptible host
Infectious Agent
- what is it?
- examples of them
- characterized by? - ANSWER - microorganisms that can cause disease
1. bacteria (oxygen needed b/c aerobic; gram stain +/- ; classified by
shape)
2. viruses (flu, colds, antibiotic resistant)
3. fungi (present in air, soil, water)
4. helminths (worms), protozoa (giardia), parasites (lice, scabies), prions
(misfolded protein that may cause neurological disease)
- characterized by: communicability, immunogenicity, virulence, host
specificity, mutation, infectivity, toxigenicity
Reservoir
- what is it?
- what are common ones?
- cases vs carriers - ANSWER - habitat where pathogens live, grow &
multiply
- common reservoirs: humans, animals, & environment (surfaces, water,
soil)
- in humans, have cases (person has current infection & symptoms
present) ; carriers (intermittent, chronic, & incubating)
, Portal of Exit
- what is it?
- - ANSWER - the way it leaves the reservoir
Means of Transmission
- what is it?
- what are the ways? - ANSWER - the way it moves from the portal of exit
to the new host
- via contact (direct vs indirect) ; common vehicle (food) ; airborne spread
(coughing/sneezing/talking)
Portal of Entry
- what is it?
- what are examples? - ANSWER - the way the pathogen enters the body
- Respiratory tract, GI & GU tracts, Integumentary System, transplacental,
and blood
Susceptible Host
- what is it?
- characteristics? - ANSWER - a person lacking effective resistance to a
pathogen and have characteristics which influence susceptibility
- Non-modifiable (genetics, age, gender)
- Modifiable (exposure quantity/duration, socioeconomic status, lifestyle,
immunization status, hygiene)
Normal Flora
- what is it - ANSWER - microorganisms that do not (normally) cause
disease and is often necessary for normal functioning
Transient Flora
- what is it?
- where are they found) - ANSWER - microorganisms that are always
present in the environment and transferred through contact (easily washed
away)
- occur on hands with daily living ; fewer # on clean & exposed areas of
skin ; more # under fingernails ; can be pathogenic/nonpathogenic
Pathogen
- what is it? - ANSWER - microorganisms that can cause disease
