Which of the following is a communicable Disease?

Appeared in: Uttarakhand CHO - 2021

Explanation

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
It is classified as a communicable disease because it spreads from an infected person to a healthy person.
The primary mode of transmission is through airborne droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks.
Unlike TB, the other options are symptoms or signs, not diseases that can be transmitted independently.

Option A: Vomiting is a symptom, not a disease. It is the forceful expulsion of stomach contents and can be caused by a wide range of conditions, including infections, food poisoning, motion sickness, and pregnancy.
Option B: Bleeding is a sign, not a disease. It is the loss of blood from the body and can result from injury or various medical conditions like ulcers, hemophilia, or certain cancers.
Option C: Fever, or an elevated body temperature, is a common symptom of many illnesses. It is the body's response to infection or inflammation and is not a disease itself.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Differentiation between communicable diseases and symptoms helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses play a critical role in breaking the chain of infection for communicable diseases like TB through patient education, implementing isolation precautions (e.g., airborne precautions), and administering medications as part of Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course (DOTS).
Recognizing the difference between a disease and its symptoms is fundamental for accurate nursing assessment, diagnosis, and planning of care.
What if the options included 'Influenza'? Influenza is also a communicable disease, caused by a virus and spread through respiratory droplets. In that case, both Influenza and Tuberculosis would be correct answers, making the question flawed.

How to Approach the Question

First, understand the key term in the question: 'communicable disease'. This means a disease that can be spread from one person to another.
Evaluate each option against this definition.
Ask yourself: Is 'Vomiting' a disease that spreads? No, it's a symptom.
Ask yourself: Is 'Bleeding' a disease that spreads? No, it's a sign of injury or illness.
Ask yourself: Is 'Fever' a disease that spreads? No, it's a symptom of an underlying condition.
Ask yourself: Is 'Tuberculosis' a disease that spreads? Yes, it's a well-known bacterial infection transmitted through the air. This makes it the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Q9yQoKGYfDC0zAN-hyMN8A

E6 Text Book Of Pediatric Nursing 3rd Panchali Pal — Part 3 (pp 477-702 of 713) p. 70-72

E6 Pathology- ROBBINS & COTRAN PATHOLOGIC BASIS OF DISEASE 10TH Ed p. 375-377

Practise the full Uttarakhand CHO - 2021

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