An infection resulting from a treatment or diagnostic procedure is

Appeared in: KGMU 2024

Explanation

An iatrogenic infection is defined as an infection caused by a medical intervention, such as a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure.
The term literally means 'brought forth by a healer' and is a direct consequence of medical care.
Examples include infections developing after catheter insertion, surgery, or endoscopy.
This term is the most precise answer because the question specifically asks about an infection resulting from a 'treatment or diagnostic procedure'.

Option A: Nosocomial infection is a broader term for any infection acquired in a healthcare setting (hospital-acquired infection), which was not present on admission. It does not specifically have to result from a procedure.
Option C: An endogenous infection is caused by an overgrowth or displacement of the patient's own normal microorganisms (flora), not by an external procedure.
Option D: Contagious describes the mode of transmission of a disease (i.e., how easily it spreads from person to person). It does not describe the origin of the infection in relation to medical care.

Visual 1: Flowchart: A flowchart illustrating the classification of infections (e.g., by source: endogenous vs. exogenous; by setting: community-acquired vs. nosocomial; by cause: iatrogenic).

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Classification of Infections by Origin helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Preventing iatrogenic infections is a core nursing responsibility, emphasizing strict adherence to aseptic techniques, proper hand hygiene, and sterile procedures.
Nurses play a crucial role in monitoring patients for signs of iatrogenic complications, such as fever, redness, or drainage at a surgical or IV site, and reporting them promptly.
What if? If a patient develops a urinary tract infection (UTI) after a urinary catheter was inserted, it is an iatrogenic and nosocomial infection. If the same patient developed a UTI without any recent catheterization, it would likely be endogenous or community-acquired, changing the investigation and potential source control measures.

How to Approach the Question

This is a definition-based recall question.
First, identify the key phrase in the question stem: 'infection resulting from a treatment or diagnostic procedure'.
Next, analyze each option to see which definition best matches this key phrase.
Recall the specific definitions: 'Nosocomial' relates to the hospital setting, 'Iatrogenic' relates to medical procedures, 'Endogenous' relates to the patient's own flora, and 'Contagious' relates to transmissibility.
Select 'Iatrogenic' as it is the most precise and direct match for an infection caused by a medical procedure.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full KGMU 2024

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.