What is the causative organism for whooping cough?

Appeared in: WCL Staff Nurse - 2022

Explanation

Whooping cough, scientifically known as pertussis, is an acute and highly communicable infection of the respiratory tract.
The causative agent is the gram-negative coccobacillus, Bordetella pertussis.
The common name 'whooping cough' is derived from the characteristic loud, high-pitched inspiratory 'whoop' that follows a paroxysm of violent coughing.
Despite its name, the 'whoop' may be absent, especially in infants younger than 6 months, adolescents, and adults.

Option A: Salmonella typhi is the bacterium that causes typhoid fever, a systemic illness typically spread through contaminated food and water, characterized by sustained fever and gastrointestinal symptoms.
Option B: Vibrio cholerae is the bacterium responsible for cholera, an acute intestinal infection causing severe, watery diarrhea ('rice-water stools'), which can lead to rapid dehydration and death if untreated.
Option C: Sarcoptes scabiei is not a bacterium but a microscopic mite that burrows into the skin and causes scabies, an intensely itchy skin infestation.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Etiology of Whooping Cough (Pertussis) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses are central to pertussis prevention through vaccination campaigns, administering the DTaP/Tdap vaccines according to the national immunization schedule.
Early recognition of the characteristic paroxysmal cough is vital for prompt diagnosis, initiation of antibiotic therapy (e.g., macrolides), and implementation of droplet precautions to prevent transmission.
Patient education on the contagious nature of the disease and the importance of completing the full course of antibiotics is a key nursing responsibility.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of common infectious diseases and their causative agents.
First, identify the key disease in the question: 'whooping cough'.
Recall the medical term for whooping cough, which is 'pertussis'.
Systematically review each option, trying to match the organism to the disease.
Recall or deduce that Bordetella pertussis is the specific bacterium that causes pertussis.
Eliminate the other options by identifying the diseases they cause: Salmonella typhi (typhoid fever), Vibrio cholerae (cholera), and Sarcoptes scabiei (scabies).

Concept Tested & Keywords

QjIFpoeoZhgNIWOuJxOmmB

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 1 p. 1317-1319

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

E6 Pathology- ROBBINS & COTRAN PATHOLOGIC BASIS OF DISEASE 10TH Ed p. 372-374

Practise the full WCL Staff Nurse - 2022

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