Which of the following facts is NOT mentioned in the passage?

DSSSB 12 August 2024

Microbiology

Easy

Appeared in: DSSSB 12 August 2024

Explanation

This statement is factually incorrect. No vaccine for the common cold has been successfully developed.
The primary reason is the immense viral diversity; the common cold is caused by over 200 different viruses, most commonly rhinoviruses.
These viruses also exhibit significant antigenic variation (mutation), meaning even if a vaccine were developed for one strain, it would not be effective against others or against future mutated versions.
As stated in medical literature, the development of a vaccine against these multiple, ever-changing strains is considered 'almost impossible' with current technology.

Option A: This is a true statement. Tissue and cell culture are fundamental techniques in virology, allowing scientists to grow and study viruses, which cannot replicate on their own.
Option B: This is a true statement. The sheer number of causative viruses and their constant mutation make the common cold a very complex and difficult syndrome to study comprehensively.
Option D: This is a true statement. The common cold is not caused by a single agent but by a wide variety of viruses, including rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, and adenoviruses.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Virology and Vaccine Feasibility for the Common Cold as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding that no vaccine exists is crucial for patient education. Nurses must explain that treatment for the common cold is symptomatic (rest, fluids, decongestants) and that antibiotics are ineffective because the cause is viral, not bacterial.
This knowledge helps manage patient expectations and prevents the misuse of antibiotics, which contributes to antibiotic resistance.
Nurses should emphasize preventive measures like frequent hand hygiene, as viruses are often spread by direct contact with contaminated surfaces and subsequent self-inoculation of the nose or eyes.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the question type. This is a 'negative' question, asking what is NOT true or NOT mentioned.
Since the passage is missing, the question becomes a test of factual knowledge. The intended answer is the statement that is factually incorrect.
Evaluate each option for its scientific accuracy.
Option A: Tissue culture is a basic tool in virology. (True)
Option B: The diversity of cold viruses makes them hard to study. (True)
Option C: A vaccine for the common cold has been developed. (False)

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Virology and Vaccine Feasibility for the Common Cold
Stem keywords: facts, passage, common cold, viruses, vaccines
Lead-in keywords: NOT mentioned
Negative lead-in flag: The question asks to identify the statement that is NOT a fact or would not be mentioned in a factual passage.

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