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An infection acquired by a patient in a healthcare setting is known as a(n)______

User Matin H
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Final answer:

A nosocomial disease is an infection acquired in a healthcare setting, such as a hospital, whereas an iatrogenic disease arises directly as a result of a medical procedure. These infections can be transmitted through various means including contaminated equipment and medical procedures.

Step-by-step explanation:

An infection acquired by a patient in a healthcare setting is known as a nosocomial disease. These infections can often be serious due to multiple factors such as the introduction of pathogens through medical procedures like catheterization, contaminated medical equipment, or surgery. On the other hand, an iatrogenic disease is a result of medical treatment or procedure itself, such as an infection at a surgical site. Nosocomial infections have a higher risk within hospital settings because hospitals house numerous pathogens, and patients often have weakened immune systems which increase susceptibility to infection. The use of antibiotics can further exacerbate the situation by selecting for drug-resistant bacteria. An example of an iatrogenic disease would be bacterial endocarditis caused by an oral surgery complication where the bacteria Streptococcus gains access to the blood.

User Brian Wigginton
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