Florida Nursing Assistant Competency Pracrice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $4.99 payment

Prepare for the Florida Nursing Assistant Exam. Study effectively with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Ensure you're ready to succeed!

Practice this question and more.

What term is used for microorganisms that can cause disease?

Parasites
Pathogens
Bacteria
Viruses

The correct answer is: Pathogens

The term "pathogens" specifically refers to microorganisms that are capable of causing disease. This encompasses a broad range of organisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Pathogens can invade the body, evade the immune system, and cause various types of infections or diseases. While bacteria and viruses represent specific categories of pathogens—each with their unique characteristics and mechanisms of causing illness—pathogens include all such disease-causing microorganisms. Therefore, the broad definition of pathogens is critical in understanding disease transmission and infection control in healthcare settings.