Given His Occupation, a Nurse Practitioner Must Constantly Wash His

question 158

Multiple Choice

Given his occupation, a nurse practitioner must constantly wash his hands with antibacterial soap between patients. After awhile, he begins to notice itchy, flaky patches of skin on his hands. He determines that this is the result of an overgrowth of yeast on his skin. This skin condition is likely the result of:

• A)an allergic reaction to the antibacterial soap, which weakened the nurse's immune system.
• B)a (bacterial)Staphylococcus infection that provided optimal conditions for yeast growth on the man's skin.
• C)a decrease in the amount of "good" bacteria that would otherwise out-compete yeast on the man's skin.
• D)the antibacterial soap killing normal yeast on the man's skin, allowing for pathogenic yeast to colonize his skin.

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Definitions:

Specific Immune System

Refers to the part of the immune system that provides long-term immunity against pathogens, by recognizing and remembering specific antigens.

Acquired Immune System

The part of the immune system that develops antibodies in response to exposure to pathogens, as opposed to innate immunity which individuals are born with.

Hypertension

Condition in which the blood supply through the blood vessels is excessive and can lead to deterioration of the cell tissue and hardening of the arterial walls.

Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a condition characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the build-up of plaque, leading to reduced blood flow.