NCLEX Question of the Day

February 20, 2026

Reduction of Risk Potential QID 380

A patient is diagnosed with an infection of a highly virulent organism. What does 'virulence' refer to in this context?

A:
The speed at which the infection spreads within the hospital environment.
B:
The degree of pathogenicity of the infectious microorganism.
C:
The ability of the microbiome to maintain homeostasis in the presence of the microorganism.
D:
The rate of colonization of the microorganism on the patient.

Explanation

Virulence is defined as the degree of pathogenicity or disease-causing capability of an infectious microorganism. Highly virulent organisms are more capable of causing disease and often result in more severe clinical presentations.

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