What is Cholera?

Appeared in: P.CHO-2019

Explanation

Cholera is an acute diarrheal disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.
The primary mode of transmission is through the fecal-oral route, typically by ingesting water or food contaminated with the feces of an infected person.
It is characterized by profuse, painless, watery diarrhea, often described as "rice-water stools," and vomiting, which can lead to rapid and severe dehydration.
Outbreaks are common in areas with poor sanitation and a lack of clean drinking water.

Option B: This describes the transmission route for vector-borne diseases. Cholera is a waterborne bacterial infection.
Option C: Cholera is an infectious disease caused by an external pathogen (Vibrio cholerae), not an inherited condition passed down through genes.
Option D: This option is incorrect because Option A provides an accurate and primary definition of how cholera is caused and transmitted.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Etiology and transmission of Cholera as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Recognizing cholera is critical for nurses due to its potential for rapid progression to severe dehydration, shock, and death if not treated promptly with fluid and electrolyte replacement.
A key diagnostic clue for nurses is the characteristic "rice-water stool," which is profuse, watery, and contains flecks of mucus.
Public health nursing plays a vital role in preventing outbreaks through community education on safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of communicable diseases.
First, identify the core concept in the question stem, which is "Cholera".
Access your foundational knowledge about major infectious diseases and their modes of transmission.
Recall that cholera is a classic example of a waterborne illness, famously associated with contaminated water sources.
Evaluate each option against this knowledge:
Option A links the disease to contaminated water, which is the correct and primary mode of transmission.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QF05KHoNPPOCeAMyr6BiMK

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

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart B (pp 202-403 of 604) p. 84-86

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 1789-1791

Practise the full P.CHO-2019

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