Which conditions should the nurse expect to report to public health authorities as required by law? Select all that apply.
Select All That Apply
Choose your responses, then check the answer.
Explanation
Public-health reportable diseases follow CDC and state lists (NNDSS). Always-reported nationally include measles, pertussis, meningococcal disease, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis A/B/C (acute), STIs (gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia), foodborne outbreaks (Salmonella, E. coli O157, Listeria), and emerging respiratory pathogens. Common cold from rhinovirus is NOT reportable. Reporting supports contact tracing, prophylaxis, outbreak control. Provider/lab/nurse responsibilities differ by state but nurse plays a central role.
Suspected meningococcal disease is reported even before culture confirmation due to public health urgency (close-contact prophylaxis with rifampin/cipro/ceftriaxone).
State and CDC reportable conditions vary; common nationally reportable. Apply Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists list.
reportable disease — Disease for which clinicians and labs are legally required to notify public health.
NNDSS — National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System operated by the CDC.
contact tracing — Identifying and notifying exposed individuals to prevent further transmission.