Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

Which of the following is an example of a vector in disease transmission?

1. Contaminated water

2. A tick

3. A dirty needle

4. An infected person

The correct answer is: A tick

A tick is a classic example of a vector in disease transmission. Vectors are organisms that carry and transmit pathogens from one host to another, often without being affected themselves. In the case of ticks, they can carry diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, transmitting these pathogens to humans or other animals through their bite. Contaminated water serves as a vehicle for waterborne diseases but does not fit the definition of a vector, as it is not an organism that actively facilitates the transmission of disease. A dirty needle can transmit infections through direct exposure to contaminated blood but is not classified as a vector in the biological sense. Lastly, an infected person is a host for the disease rather than a vector, as they are the recipient of the disease agents rather than transmitting them via another organism.