TEAS 7 science practice Related

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How can you differentiate between a bacterial and viral infection based solely on symptoms?

  • A. It's impossible to differentiate solely based on symptoms.
  • B. Bacterial infections typically respond well to antibiotics, while viral infections don't.
  • C. Bacterial infections usually cause fever, while viral infections don't.
  • D. Viral infections often present with respiratory symptoms like a cough, while bacterial infections don't.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: It is impossible to differentiate between a bacterial and viral infection based solely on symptoms because many symptoms overlap between the two types of infections. Symptoms like fever, cough, and others can be present in both bacterial and viral infections. Additional diagnostic tests such as cultures or blood tests are often needed to determine the cause of the infection accurately. Relying only on symptoms can lead to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they oversimplify the differentiation process and do not encompass the complexity of symptoms associated with bacterial and viral infections. While it is true that bacterial infections may respond to antibiotics and some differences in symptoms may be observed between bacterial and viral infections, these are not definitive indicators without proper diagnostic tests.