What does nosocomial infection mean?

• A. An infection that is acquired in the community
• B. An infection caused by nonpathogenic bacteria
• C. An infection contracted from a family member
• D. An infection acquired in a hospital or healthcare facility

Answer: (D)

Nosocomial infection is an infection acquired in a hospital or healthcare facility. The defining idea is that it develops during the stay or shortly after a procedure, and it was not present or incubating at the time of admission. Hospital environments and care processes, including invasive devices and surgeries, can introduce or promote pathogens, making these infections a notable patient-safety concern. Examples include surgical site infections, pneumonia in patients on ventilators, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and bloodstream infections from IV lines. It’s about the setting of acquisition—inside the hospital—rather than infections picked up from the community, caused by nonpathogenic organisms, or transmitted from a family member.