Question

The nurse is caring for a client with a respiratory tract infection that started with a common cold but has progressed to whooping cough. The client also has coughing fits that last for several minutes. Which organism is responsible for the client's condition?

1. Bacillus anthracis
2. Bordetella pertussis
3. Streptococcus pneumoniae
4. Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Answer 1

The client's respiratory tract infection that started with a common cold and progressed to whooping cough is caused by Bordetella pertussis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The organism responsible for the client's condition, progressing from a common cold to whooping cough with prolonged coughing fits, is Bordetella pertussis. This gram-negative coccobacillus bacterium causes mucus accumulation in the lungs, leading to severe coughing episodes that can last for minutes and are known for the characteristic "whooping" sound during inhalation. Pertussis is highly communicable and often affects infants and children, although adults can contract it too.