Scabies is a?

AIIMS Delhi NO - 2017

Medical & Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: AIIMS Delhi NO - 2017

Explanation

Scabies is a skin infestation caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei.
It is defined as a contagious disease because it spreads easily through direct, prolonged skin-to-skin contact with an infested person.
Transmission can also occur, though less frequently, by sharing clothing, bedding, or towels used by an infested person.
Outbreaks are common in crowded settings like nursing homes, schools, and prisons, which underscores its highly contagious nature.

Option A: Scabies is an ectoparasitic infestation of the skin's outer layer (epidermis). It is not a systemic autoimmune disease affecting connective tissues.
Option C: Scabies primarily affects the skin, causing a rash and intense itching. While skin lesions can appear anywhere on the body, it is not a primary disease of the eyes.
Option D: This is the direct opposite of the correct answer. A non-communicable disease (NCD) cannot be transmitted from person to person. Scabies is well-known for being easily spread through close contact.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Nature and transmission of Scabies as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must educate patients that all household members and close contacts require simultaneous treatment to prevent re-infestation, even if they do not show symptoms.
Environmental decontamination is a key nursing intervention. Advise patients to wash all bedding, clothing, and towels used in the last three days in hot water (at least 50°C or 122°F) and dry on a high heat setting.
Itching can persist for 2-4 weeks even after successful treatment because of a hypersensitivity reaction to the dead mites and their waste. Reassure the patient that this is normal and does not necessarily mean treatment has failed.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core subject of the question, which is 'Scabies'.
Recall the fundamental characteristics of scabies from your nursing knowledge. It is an infestation caused by a mite and is well-known for spreading easily in close-quarter environments like families or care homes.
Evaluate each option based on this core knowledge.
Option A, 'Connective tissue disease', refers to systemic autoimmune conditions. Scabies is an external skin problem. Eliminate this option.
Option B, 'Highly contagious disease', aligns perfectly with the known epidemiology of scabies spreading through direct contact.
Option C, 'Eye disease', is incorrect as scabies is a dermatological condition.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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