Which of the following is an infectious disease?

Appeared in: MP CHO -2019 (Shift-1)

Explanation

An infectious disease is caused by a pathogen and can be transmitted between individuals.
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a classic example of an infectious disease.
It is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis.
The disease spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, making it highly contagious.

Option A: Diabetes is a non-communicable disease (NCD). It is a metabolic disorder related to insulin production or sensitivity, not caused by a pathogen.
Option C: Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a chronic, non-communicable cardiovascular condition. It is influenced by genetics, lifestyle, and diet, but not by an infectious agent.
Option D: Kwashiorkor is a form of severe protein-energy malnutrition. It is a nutritional deficiency disorder, not an infectious disease caused by a pathogen.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Classification of diseases as infectious or non-infectious helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Correctly identifying an infectious disease is a critical nursing skill for implementing appropriate transmission-based precautions (e.g., contact, droplet, airborne) to prevent the spread of infection within healthcare settings (nosocomial infections).
For a patient with Pertussis, a nurse must immediately institute droplet precautions, which include wearing a surgical mask and ensuring the patient is in a private room or cohorted with other Pertussis patients.
Understanding the difference between infectious and non-infectious diseases guides public health strategies, including vaccination campaigns for diseases like Pertussis and lifestyle modification programs for conditions like hypertension and diabetes.

How to Approach the Question

First, understand the question's core concept: it asks to identify an 'infectious disease'.
Define 'infectious disease': An illness caused by a pathogen (like bacteria or a virus) that can be transmitted from one organism to another.
Evaluate each option against this definition:
Diabetes: Is it caused by a pathogen? No, it's a metabolic disorder. So, it's non-infectious.
Pertussis: Is it caused by a pathogen? Yes, the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. Is it transmissible? Yes, via respiratory droplets. This is an infectious disease.
Hypertension: Is it caused by a pathogen? No, it's a chronic condition related to blood pressure. So, it's non-infectious.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Comprehensive Textbook of Community Health Nursing for BSc Nursing Students Part 2 — Subpart A (pp 1-275 of 550) p. 25-27

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

Practise the full MP CHO -2019 (Shift-1)

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