When parasites tend to cling to clothing and body lice suck blood and lay eggs on the clothing and furniture,… - UPUMS Nsg officer-2023

UPUMS Nsg officer-2023

Medical & Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: UPUMS Nsg officer-2023

Explanation

Pediculosis Corporis is the correct term for an infestation by body lice (Pediculus humanus corporis).
These lice are unique because they primarily live and lay their eggs in the seams of clothing and bedding, not on the human body itself.
They only move to the skin for short periods to feed on blood before returning to the clothing or furniture.
This behavior directly matches the description provided in the question stem.

Option A: Ticks are arachnids, not lice. They attach directly to the skin of a host and embed their mouthparts to feed on blood for several days. They do not live or lay eggs in clothing.
Option C: Pediculosis Pubis, or 'crabs,' is an infestation by the pubic louse (Pthirus pubis). These lice infest coarse body hair, primarily in the genital region, and lay their eggs (nits) on the hair shafts.
Option D: Pediculosis Capitis is an infestation of the scalp by the head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis). These lice live on the scalp and cement their eggs (nits) to the base of hair shafts.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Identification of parasitic infestations based on louse type and habitat helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Correctly identifying the type of lice infestation is critical for effective treatment and patient education. Treatment for body lice focuses on environmental decontamination, whereas head and pubic lice treatments focus on topical pediculicides applied to the body.
Body lice are often associated with poor hygiene and crowded living conditions. They are also significant because they can act as vectors for diseases like epidemic typhus, trench fever, and relapsing fever.
What if? If the patient presented with intense itching on the scalp and visible nits attached to hair shafts behind the ears, the diagnosis would change to Pediculosis Capitis. The treatment plan would then shift from washing clothes to using medicated shampoos (e.g., permethrin) and meticulous combing to remove nits.

How to Approach the Question

First, carefully read the question and identify the key descriptors of the parasite's behavior.
Note the most important clues: 'cling to clothing' and 'lay eggs on the clothing and furniture'. This indicates the parasite's primary habitat is not the human body itself.
Evaluate each option against these key clues.
Eliminate 'Ticks' as they are arachnids that embed in the skin.
Eliminate 'Pediculosis Capitis' (head lice) and 'Pediculosis Pubis' (pubic lice) because both types live and lay eggs directly on human hair.
Conclude that 'Pediculosis Corporis' (body lice) is the only option that matches the description of living and laying eggs on clothing and furniture.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Identification of parasitic infestations based on louse type and habitat.
Stem keywords: parasites, clothing, body lice, suck blood, lay eggs, furniture
Lead-in keywords: known as
Clinical cues: The key clue is that the parasites and their eggs are found on clothing and furniture, not directly on the body's hair.
Negative lead-in flag: false

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