Final answer:
Lyme disease is transmitted to humans through tick bites, not through airborne pathogens, sexual contact, or contaminated food or water. Deer ticks are its primary vector, and the disease can be prevented by taking several precautionary measures in tick-infested areas.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is transmitted to humans primarily through tick bites, especially from deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis and Ixodes pacificus). The causative bacteria are from the genus Borrelia, namely Borrelia burgdorferi. These ticks often reside in wooded areas and attach themselves to areas on the body that are hard to see, such as the scalp, armpit, and groin. They can transmit the bacteria to humans without being noticed, as their saliva contains an anesthetic substance that makes their bite typically unfelt.
Therefore, according to the nurse's teaching, Lyme disease can be transmitted (c) through tick bites and not through airborne, sexual contact, or contaminated food or water. To prevent contracting Lyme disease, it's advised to avoid walking through thick vegetation, use insect repellent, bathe after being outdoors, and perform daily tick checks when spending time in areas where Lyme disease is common.