Free Communicable Diseases MCQs with Answers
50 Communicable Diseases MCQs from Community Health Nursing, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Communicable diseases are studied through the chain of infection, including the agent, reservoir, mode of transmission, portal of entry and susceptible host. Coverage includes isolation, disinfection, immunization, surveillance and outbreak control, with attention to diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, hepatitis, polio and diarrheal infections.
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50 questions · page 2 of 3
- A. Place a surgical mask on the patient
- B. Cover the patient with a sterile sheet
- C. Give the patient a disposable gown
- D. Ask the patient to wear shoe covers
Explanation: A surgical mask on the patient helps contain infectious respiratory droplets during movement.
Correct answer: Place a surgical mask on the patient- A. Use dedicated equipment and wear gloves
- B. Place the patient near the nurses' station
- C. Limit the patient's oral fluids
- D. Keep the patient in a brightly lit room
Explanation: Dedicated equipment and gloves reduce contact transmission from stool and contaminated surfaces.
Correct answer: Use dedicated equipment and wear gloves- A. It removes all organisms and bacterial spores
- B. It destroys many harmful organisms on objects
- C. It provides immunity against a specific organism
- D. It removes organisms only from living skin
Explanation: Disinfection destroys many pathogenic microorganisms on non-living objects, but it may not destroy bacterial spores.
Correct answer: It destroys many harmful organisms on objects- A. At 2°C to 8°C in a functioning cold chain
- B. At room temperature in a covered cupboard
- C. In direct sunlight to prevent moisture damage
- D. In a freezer without checking the temperature
Explanation: Most routine vaccines are stored at 2°C to 8°C in a monitored cold chain.
Correct answer: At 2°C to 8°C in a functioning cold chain- A. Confirm malaria with a rapid test or blood film
- B. Start antibiotics without any assessment
- C. Wait until the fever lasts for two weeks
- D. Give antimalarial treatment to every household member
Explanation: Laboratory confirmation with a rapid diagnostic test or blood film helps distinguish malaria from other causes of fever and supports…
Correct answer: Confirm malaria with a rapid test or blood film- A. Wash the area with soap and running water
- B. Apply concentrated bleach directly to the wound
- C. Squeeze the wound forcefully until it bleeds
- D. Cover the injury and continue the medication round
Explanation: The first action is to wash the site promptly with soap and running water, then report the exposure for risk assessment and post-exposure…
Correct answer: Wash the area with soap and running water- A. 5 percent
- B. 10 percent
- C. 20 percent
- D. 50 percent
Explanation: Attack rate equals the number of ill people divided by the number exposed, multiplied by 100.
Correct answer: 20 percent- A. Clean the visible soil using appropriate protective equipment
- B. Sweep the area with bare hands to remove clots
- C. Pour disinfectant over the spill without removing soil
- D. Allow the spill to dry before beginning cleaning
Explanation: The nurse should wear appropriate personal protective equipment and remove visible soil before applying the approved disinfectant.
Correct answer: Clean the visible soil using appropriate protective equipment- A. Every person has received every available vaccine
- B. Enough people are immune to reduce transmission to others
- C. Only people with previous infection can become protected
- D. A vaccine protects a person from all communicable diseases
Explanation: Herd immunity occurs when a sufficiently large immune proportion reduces the spread of an infection, providing indirect protection to some…
Correct answer: Enough people are immune to reduce transmission to others- A. The intact skin surface
- B. The gastrointestinal tract
- C. The external ear canal
- D. The hair shaft
Explanation: The gastrointestinal tract is a portal of entry when contaminated food or water is swallowed.
Correct answer: The gastrointestinal tract- A. A room with a patient having pneumonia
- B. A room with a patient having hepatitis A
- C. A single room with appropriate airborne precautions
- D. A room with a patient having a healed wound
Explanation: Chickenpox spreads through airborne particles and direct contact, so the patient needs airborne and contact precautions, preferably in a…
Correct answer: A single room with appropriate airborne precautions- A. Receiving an oral polio vaccine
- B. Developing antibodies after measles infection
- C. Receiving hepatitis B immunoglobulin after exposure
- D. Producing antibodies after a tetanus vaccine
Explanation: Passive immunization gives a person ready-made antibodies, such as hepatitis B immunoglobulin after a significant exposure.
Correct answer: Receiving hepatitis B immunoglobulin after exposure- A. Oral polio vaccine
- B. Inactivated polio vaccine
- C. Hepatitis B vaccine
- D. Tetanus toxoid vaccine
Explanation: Oral polio vaccine contains live attenuated poliovirus. Inactivated polio vaccine contains killed virus, while hepatitis B and tetanus…
Correct answer: Oral polio vaccine- A. A surgical mask
- B. Sterile surgical gloves only
- C. A lead apron
- D. Shoe covers only
Explanation: A surgical mask helps protect the nose and mouth from respiratory droplets during close patient care.
Correct answer: A surgical mask35. Which finding most strongly suggests that a person is a susceptible host for an infectious disease?
- A. A documented protective antibody level
- B. Completion of the recommended vaccine series
- C. Severe immunosuppression from treatment
- D. Recent recovery with lasting immunity
Explanation: Severe immunosuppression reduces the body's ability to resist infection and makes the person a susceptible host.
Correct answer: Severe immunosuppression from treatment- A. Health promotion
- B. Disease surveillance
- C. Terminal disinfection
- D. Contact tracing only
Explanation: Disease surveillance is the systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of health data to detect trends and guide action.
Correct answer: Disease surveillance- A. To identify the likely source and exposure
- B. To determine the vaccination status of staff
- C. To measure hospital bed occupancy
- D. To select a disinfectant for equipment
Explanation: Exposure histories help investigators identify a common food or other source and determine possible risk factors.
Correct answer: To identify the likely source and exposure- A. Wipe it with a dry cloth
- B. Clean and disinfect it according to policy
- C. Place it in direct sunlight briefly
- D. Cover it with a new paper sheet
Explanation: Reusable equipment must be cleaned and then disinfected according to the manufacturer's instructions and facility policy before reuse.
Correct answer: Clean and disinfect it according to policy- A. Offer appropriate post-exposure vaccination when indicated
- B. Give antibiotics to every household member
- C. Restrict all visitors for one month
- D. Provide iron tablets to every contact
Explanation: Eligible susceptible contacts may benefit from measles-containing vaccine after exposure, according to current public health guidance and…
Correct answer: Offer appropriate post-exposure vaccination when indicated- A. Only patients with a confirmed infection
- B. Only patients with a blood-borne infection
- C. All patients, regardless of diagnosis
- D. Only patients requiring isolation
Explanation: Standard precautions apply to every patient because infection status may be unknown.
Correct answer: All patients, regardless of diagnosis