Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) Practice Exam

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What is the most likely means of transmission of infection from a woman coughing on an airplane to another passenger?

Direct contact
Indirect contact
Vectors
Airborne route

The correct answer is: Airborne route

The most likely means of transmission of infection from a woman coughing on an airplane to another passenger is through the airborne route. When a person coughs, they release respiratory droplets into the air, which can carry infectious agents like viruses or bacteria. These droplets can either travel short distances and be inhaled directly by nearby individuals or remain suspended in the air for longer periods, especially in confined spaces such as an airplane cabin. Airplanes have a unique environment, where the air circulation and pressure settings can facilitate the spread of airborne pathogens. The close proximity of passengers and the limited ventilation help to promote the potential for respiratory infections to transmit. Unlike direct contact, which requires physical touching of an infected surface, or vectors, which involve organisms like mosquitoes carrying pathogens, the airborne route allows for transmission solely through respiratory droplets in the air, making it the most likely scenario in this context.