Leprosy is also called as ?

Appeared in: RRB Nsg. Superintendent-21 July 2019 (Shift-2nd)

Explanation

Hansen's disease is the medical eponym for leprosy.
The name honors Gerhard Armauer Hansen, the Norwegian scientist who discovered the causative bacterium, Mycobacterium leprae, in 1873.
The disease primarily affects the skin and peripheral nerves, and its classification ranges from paucibacillary to multibacillary based on the bacterial load and immune response.

Option A: Psoriasis is a chronic, non-infectious autoimmune disease characterized by the rapid buildup of skin cells, leading to scaling.
Option B: Scabies is a contagious skin infestation caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei, not a bacterial infection. It is known for causing intense itching.
Option D: Darier's disease (keratosis follicularis) is a rare genetic disorder affecting the skin, characterized by warty papules. It is not an infectious disease.

Visual 1: Diagram - A comparison of skin lesions in tuberculoid vs. lepromatous leprosy, highlighting the differences in appearance and number.
Visual 2: Historical Photo - A portrait of Dr. Gerhard Armauer Hansen to connect the name to the discovery.
Visual 3: Infographic - A flowchart showing the transmission, progression, and treatment of Hansen's disease.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Eponyms in Infectious Diseases as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Early diagnosis and treatment of Hansen's disease with multidrug therapy (MDT) are crucial to cure the infection and prevent permanent nerve damage, disability, and deformities.
Nurses play a vital role in patient education to reduce the historical stigma associated with leprosy, reassuring patients and families that the disease is curable and not highly contagious after starting treatment.
What if? If a patient presents with a single, painless, hypopigmented skin patch, a nurse should have a high index of suspicion for leprosy and ensure the patient is tested for loss of sensation in that area, as this is a key diagnostic sign differentiating it from fungal infections or vitiligo.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question testing your knowledge of medical terminology and eponyms.
First, identify the key term in the question, which is 'Leprosy'.
Next, scan the options to find a synonym or alternative name for leprosy.
Recall or deduce that 'Hansen's disease' is named after the scientist who discovered the bacterium causing leprosy.
Eliminate the other options by recalling their definitions: Psoriasis (autoimmune), Scabies (mite infestation), and Darier's disease (genetic).

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full RRB Nsg. Superintendent-21 July 2019 (Shift-2nd)

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