Pertussis is also known as?

Appeared in: UPRVUNL - 2021

Explanation

Pertussis is the medical term for whooping cough, a highly contagious respiratory infection.
It is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis.
The common name 'whooping cough' comes from the characteristic high-pitched 'whoop' sound made during inhalation after a severe coughing fit (paroxysm).

Option A: Rubella is the medical term for German measles, a viral infection known for its characteristic red rash. It is unrelated to the bacterial respiratory infection pertussis.
Option B: Enteric fever is another name for typhoid fever, a systemic infection caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi, primarily transmitted through contaminated food and water.
Option C: German measles is the common name for Rubella. It is a distinct viral illness and not another name for pertussis.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Synonyms of common infectious diseases as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Recognizing the classic 'whoop' is a key diagnostic clue, but nurses must know that it can be absent in infants, who may present with apnea instead.
Pertussis is highly contagious; immediate implementation of Droplet Precautions is critical to prevent nosocomial spread.
Vaccination with DTaP for children and Tdap boosters for adolescents and adults is the cornerstone of prevention. Nurses play a vital role in vaccine education and administration.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of medical terminology.
First, identify the term in the question stem: 'Pertussis'.
The question asks for its common name ('also known as').
Systematically evaluate each option: Rubella is German measles. Enteric fever is typhoid. German measles is the common name for Rubella.
Recall that Whooping cough is the well-known synonym for Pertussis, named for the sound of inspiration after a coughing fit.
Select the option that is the direct synonym for the term provided.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Ghai Essential Pediatrics(pp 26-904 of 913) pp. 266-268, 265-267

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart A (pp 26-201 of 604) p. 167-169

Practise the full UPRVUNL - 2021

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