An 81-year-old female patient in a subacute medical unit of a hospital has developed an oral Candida albicans infection. Which of the following phenomena would the patient's nurse suspect as a key contributing factor to her infection?

Question

A)
The moist and temperature-suited oral environment of the client's mouth
B)
The ability of fungi to remain latent until the host reaches an immunocompromised state
C)
Antibiotic therapy that eliminated normal bacterial flora
D)
The airborne communicability of yeast and molds and subsequent inhalation

Answer 1

Ans:
C

Feedback:

Elimination of bacterial flora that normally keeps colonizing fungi in check can induce the proliferation of fungi. The environment of the client's mouth provides a conducive environment but with an intact immune system is rarely a direct contributor to colonization. Latency is not a common trait of Candida albicans, and airborne transmission is not likely to be a causative factor.