Question

A medical assistant is talking with a patient. I just found out she has pediculus humanus capitis. The assistant should explain that this is an infection of which of the following multicellular parasites?

1) Ticks
2) Lice
3) Fleas
4) Bedbugs

Answer 1

Pediculus humanus capitis refers to an infestation with head lice, which are multicellular parasites that infest hair and lay their eggs at the base of hair fibers.

Step-by-step explanation:

The patient with Pediculus humanus capitis is infected with the head louse, which is a type of multicellular parasite that affects humans. When the medical assistant explains the condition to the patient, they should indicate that this refers to an infection with number 2) Lice. Head lice are one of the three types of lice associated with humans; the others being body lice and pubic lice. Lice are not ticks, fleas, or bedbugs, each of which is a different kind of parasite.