Which of the following is not a type of non-communicable disease?

Appeared in: Raj. CHO -2025

Explanation

Infectious diseases are fundamentally different from non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
They are defined by their cause: pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.
The key characteristic of an infectious disease is that it is communicable, meaning it can be transmitted from one person to another, which is the opposite of an NCD.
Therefore, infectious diseases are not a type of non-communicable disease.

Option A: Chronic non-specific respiratory diseases, such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and asthma, are a major category of NCDs.
Option C: Cancer is one of the four main types of non-communicable diseases. It is characterized by abnormal cell growth and is not transmissible between people.
Option D: Cardiovascular diseases, which include conditions like heart attacks and strokes, are the leading cause of death from NCDs globally.

Visual 1: Chart - A two-column chart comparing 'Communicable Diseases' and 'Non-Communicable Diseases'. Each column should list key characteristics (Cause, Transmission, Examples) to highlight the differences.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Classification of Diseases (Communicable vs. Non-Communicable) helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Understanding the distinction between communicable and non-communicable diseases is fundamental to nursing practice for implementing appropriate care plans.
For communicable diseases, nurses prioritize infection control measures (e.g., isolation, hand hygiene, personal protective equipment) to prevent transmission.
For NCDs, the focus is on long-term management, patient education about lifestyle modifications (diet, exercise), medication adherence, and regular screenings.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the negative keyword 'not' in the question. This indicates you are looking for the option that is an exception.
Next, define the core concept: 'non-communicable disease' (a disease that is not infectious and cannot be passed from person to person).
Evaluate each option against this definition.
Option A (Chronic respiratory diseases), C (Cancer), and D (Cardiovascular diseases) are all classic examples of NCDs.
Option B (Infectious diseases) is, by definition, communicable and therefore the correct answer as it is 'not' an NCD.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Classification of Diseases (Communicable vs. Non-Communicable)
Stem keywords: non-communicable disease, type of disease
Lead-in keywords: not
Negative lead-in flag: The question asks to identify the option that is NOT a non-communicable disease.

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Practise the full Raj. CHO -2025

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