Select the correct summary for the passage.

DSSSB 12 August 2024

Medical Surgical Nursing

Medium

Appeared in: DSSSB 12 August 2024

Explanation

The common cold is notoriously difficult to control because it is a clinical syndrome caused by a large number of different viruses.
The most common culprits are rhinoviruses, which have over 200 different serotypes, but other viruses like coronaviruses, RSV, and adenoviruses also cause colds.
This high degree of viral diversity is the primary reason why developing a single, effective vaccine is not feasible.
As a result, individuals can experience multiple cold infections throughout their lifetime, making population-level control and prevention challenging.

Option A: This statement is the opposite of the truth. The primary challenge in controlling the common cold is the vast and diverse range of viruses that can cause it.
Option B: There is no licensed vaccine for the common cold. The development of one is hindered by the sheer number of causative viral strains and serotypes.
Option D: The common cold is not a single disease but a syndrome caused by numerous viruses from different families.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Etiology and control of the common cold as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A key nursing role involves patient education. Nurses must explain why antibiotics are ineffective for the common cold (it's viral) and why there is no 'cure' or vaccine, reinforcing the importance of symptomatic treatment.
The focus of care is on supportive measures: ensuring adequate hydration, recommending rest, and advising on over-the-counter medications for symptom relief (e.g., analgesics, decongestants).
Nurses must emphasize infection control measures, such as proper hand hygiene and cough etiquette, as the primary method to prevent transmission in community and healthcare settings.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core task: select the best summary for a passage about the common cold.
Even without the full passage, the options provide strong clues about its content, focusing on viral cause, variety, and control.
Evaluate each option based on established medical knowledge about the common cold.
Recall or deduce that the common cold is caused by many viruses. This immediately invalidates the options suggesting a 'limited variety' or a 'single virus'.
Knowing there are many causative viruses, conclude that creating a vaccine would be extremely difficult. This invalidates the 'availability of a vaccine' option.
The only logically sound option remaining is that there are 'challenges in controlling the common cold,' which is a direct consequence of the viral diversity and lack of a vaccine.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 2 p. 336-338

E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 2 Part 1 p. 29-31