Which of the following disease is caused by Helminth?

Appeared in: UPPSC 2022

Explanation

Roundworms are a type of helminth, which are multicellular parasitic worms.
Helminths are a major class of parasites, biologically distinct from protozoa, bacteria, and viruses.
The infection caused by the roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides is known as Ascariasis, a common soil-transmitted helminthiasis.

Option A: This disease is caused by Entamoeba histolytica, which is a single-celled protozoan parasite, not a multicellular helminth.
Option C: This is a liver infection caused by the Hepatitis A virus (HAV). Viruses are non-cellular infectious agents that are much smaller and structurally simpler than helminths.
Option D: This intestinal infection is caused by Shigella species, which are bacteria. Bacteria are single-celled prokaryotic organisms.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Classification of pathogenic organisms helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Understanding the classification of pathogens is fundamental for nurses to anticipate the correct diagnostic tests (e.g., stool for ova and parasites vs. blood culture), implement appropriate infection control measures, and administer the right class of antimicrobial agents (e.g., antihelminthics, antiprotozoals, antibiotics, or antivirals).
Patient education for helminthic infections like ascariasis focuses on prevention through hygiene, sanitation, and safe food practices, which is a key nursing responsibility.
What if? If a patient has dysentery (bloody diarrhea), a nurse should consider both Bacillary dysentery (bacterial) and Amoebiasis (protozoal) as potential causes. The distinction is critical because the treatments (antibiotics vs. antiprotozoals) are completely different.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'Helminth'.
Recall the definition of a helminth as a parasitic worm, which is a multicellular organism.
Systematically evaluate each option to determine its causative agent.
Analyze Option A: Amoebiasis is caused by a protozoan.
Analyze Option B: Round worm is a type of helminth.
Analyze Option C: Hepatitis A is caused by a virus.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 1 p. 1777-1779

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart B (pp 202-403 of 604) p. 98-100

Practise the full UPPSC 2022

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