Chancroid is a sexually transmitted disease caused by?

Appeared in: KPSC Staff Nurse - 2016

Explanation

Chancroid is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Haemophilus ducreyi.
This condition is clinically identified by one or more painful genital ulcers, often referred to as soft chancres.
A common associated finding is painful, swollen lymph nodes in the groin area, known as buboes, which can sometimes rupture and drain pus.

Option A: The genus Treponema, specifically Treponema pallidum, is the causative agent of syphilis, not chancroid.
Option C: The genus Neisseria, specifically Neisseria gonorrhoeae, is the bacterium responsible for causing gonorrhea.
Option D: Trichomonas, specifically the protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis, causes the STI trichomoniasis.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Causative agent of Chancroid helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Differentiating between causes of genital ulcers is a critical nursing skill. The presence of pain (chancroid, herpes) versus its absence (syphilis) is a key initial diagnostic clue.
Patients with any genital ulcer disease, like chancroid, have a significantly increased risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV. Nurses must counsel patients on this risk and recommend HIV testing.
What if? If the patient presented with a single, painless, indurated (hard) ulcer, the primary suspicion would shift from chancroid to primary syphilis, caused by Treponema pallidum.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question testing knowledge of microbiology and sexually transmitted infections.
First, identify the key term in the question stem: 'Chancroid'.
Next, recall the specific causative organism for chancroid.
Evaluate the given options: Treponema (syphilis), Haemophilus (chancroid), Neisseria (gonorrhea), and Trichomonas (trichomoniasis).
Select 'Haemophilus' as the correct genus for the bacterium Haemophilus ducreyi.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QEJhln1-l3z7PmhgAKkiFs

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 1763-1765

E6 Gynecology Williams p. 66-90

Practise the full KPSC Staff Nurse - 2016

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