Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) Sterile Processing Technician Practice Exam

Living things responsible for causing disease are called?

1. Vectors

2. Antibodies

3. Pathogens

4. Hosts

The correct answer is: Pathogens

Pathogens are the microorganisms responsible for causing disease in humans, animals, and plants. This group includes bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. When present in a host, pathogens can disrupt normal bodily functions, leading to various illnesses. Understanding pathogens is crucial in sterile processing, as it directly relates to infection control and the importance of proper sterilization techniques to prevent disease transmission. Vectors, antibodies, and hosts address different roles in the disease process. Vectors are organisms, like mosquitoes, that transmit pathogens from one host to another. Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system in response to pathogens, playing a vital role in defending against infections. Hosts are the organisms that harbor pathogens, providing them with an environment to live and reproduce. Each of these concepts is significant in understanding how pathogens operate within ecological and medical contexts, but they do not refer to the organisms that directly cause disease.