What term describes a disease that is consistently present within a specific geographic area?

What term describes a disease that is consistently present within a specific geographic area?

• A. Epidemic
• B. Endemic
• C. Iatrogenic
• D. Nosocomial

Answer: (B)

The term that describes a disease consistently present within a specific geographic area is "endemic." An endemic disease occurs at a relatively stable and predictable rate within a particular population or region. For example, malaria may be considered endemic in certain tropical regions where the conditions support the lifecycle of the malaria-carrying mosquito. In contrast, an epidemic refers to a sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected in a population or area, suggesting that it is not stable but fluctuates. Iatrogenic diseases are those that result from medical treatment or diagnostic procedures, and nosocomial diseases are infections acquired in a healthcare setting. Both of these do not describe the consistent presence of a disease in a region but rather highlight issues relating to healthcare practices and environments. Thus, "endemic" is the correct term for a disease that is consistently present in a specific geographic area.

The term that describes a disease consistently present within a specific geographic area is "endemic." An endemic disease occurs at a relatively stable and predictable rate within a particular population or region. For example, malaria may be considered endemic in certain tropical regions where the conditions support the lifecycle of the malaria-carrying mosquito.

In contrast, an epidemic refers to a sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected in a population or area, suggesting that it is not stable but fluctuates. Iatrogenic diseases are those that result from medical treatment or diagnostic procedures, and nosocomial diseases are infections acquired in a healthcare setting. Both of these do not describe the consistent presence of a disease in a region but rather highlight issues relating to healthcare practices and environments. Thus, "endemic" is the correct term for a disease that is consistently present in a specific geographic area.