National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the National Dental Assisting Exam with comprehensive quiz questions, including multiple choice and detailed explanations. Equip yourself for success!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

Infection occurs when what penetrates the host defenses and multiplies?

Bacteria
Pathogens
Viruses
Antibodies

The correct answer is: Pathogens

The correct answer identifies pathogens as the entities that can penetrate host defenses and multiply, leading to infection. Pathogens encompass a broad range of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, which are capable of causing disease. When a pathogen enters the body, it can evade various immune defenses, such as skin barriers and immune responses, allowing it to replicate and spread. This concept is crucial in understanding infectious diseases, as recognizing the role of pathogens informs prevention and treatment strategies. Other choices like bacteria and viruses represent specific types of pathogens but do not cover the entire spectrum. Antibodies, on the other hand, are part of the immune response and do not cause infection; instead, they help the body to fight off infections. Understanding the broader category of pathogens is essential in the context of infection control and disease management in dental assisting and healthcare in general.