The diseases that are spread through unsafe water are all of the following except

NHM UP Staff Nurse-2021 Shift-2nd

Community Health Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: NHM UP Staff Nurse-2021 Shift-2nd

Explanation

Smallpox is a viral disease caused by the Variola virus.
Its primary mode of transmission is person-to-person via respiratory droplets released during close, face-to-face contact.
It can also be spread through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated objects (fomites).
Unlike the other options, Smallpox is not transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated water, making it the correct exception.

Option A: Cholera is a classic example of a waterborne disease. It is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae and spreads rapidly through water supplies contaminated with feces from infected individuals.
Option B: Dysentery, caused by agents like Shigella bacteria or Entamoeba histolytica, is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route, which includes drinking contaminated water or eating contaminated food.
Option C: Typhoid fever is caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi and is transmitted through the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the feces of an infected person.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Modes of disease transmission, specifically differentiating between waterborne and other routes of infection as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding transmission routes is fundamental to nursing and public health for implementing correct infection control measures.
For waterborne diseases (Cholera, Typhoid, Dysentery), key nursing interventions focus on promoting safe drinking water, proper sanitation (WASH - Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), handwashing, and food safety.
For airborne/contact diseases like Smallpox, interventions would include isolation, use of personal protective equipment (PPE) like masks, and vaccination. The global eradication of smallpox is a testament to the effectiveness of vaccination.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the keyword 'except'. This tells you that three of the options share a common characteristic, and your task is to find the one that is different.
The common characteristic described in the stem is 'spread through unsafe water'. This refers to waterborne diseases.
Review each option's primary mode of transmission.
Recall or deduce that Cholera, Dysentery, and Typhoid are all gastrointestinal illnesses transmitted via the fecal-oral route, which commonly involves contaminated water.
Recognize that Smallpox is a viral disease known for its distinct transmission through respiratory droplets and direct contact, not water.
The option that does not fit the 'waterborne' category is Smallpox, making it the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Modes of disease transmission, specifically differentiating between waterborne and other routes of infection.
Stem keywords: diseases, spread, unsafe water
Lead-in keywords: except
Negative lead-in flag: The question uses the word 'except', asking you to identify the option that does NOT fit the given category (spread through unsafe water).

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E6 Pathology- ROBBINS & COTRAN PATHOLOGIC BASIS OF DISEASE 10TH Ed p. 788-790

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 2 — Subpart B (pp 233-449 of 464) p. 27-29