Certified Nurses Operating Room (CNOR) Practice Exam

What are the most common agents involved in bioterrorism?

1. Tuberculosis and Botulinum

2. Influenza and Ebola

3. Anthrax and Smallpox

4. Cholera and Plague

The correct answer is: Anthrax and Smallpox

The most common agents involved in bioterrorism include Anthrax and Smallpox due to their historical significance, potential for aerosolized dissemination, and capacity to cause widespread illness and panic. Anthrax, caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, can be inhaled, ingested, or contacted through the skin, making it a versatile biological weapon. Its spores are durable and can remain dormant in the environment, allowing for strategic release. Smallpox, caused by the variola virus, is another prime candidate because it is highly contagious and has a high morbidity and mortality rate. After being eradicated in the late 20th century through vaccination, the re-emergence of smallpox as a potential bioweapon poses a significant threat to populations that lack immunity. The other options, while they involve pathogens that can cause severe disease, are less commonly associated with bioterrorism. For example, tuberculosis is mainly spread through respiratory aerosols in a non-bioterror context, and influenza tends to have seasonal patterns and is less stable as a weapon. Additionally, while Ebola is deadly, it is typically transmitted through direct contact and does not pose the same scale of threat in a bioterrorism scenario. Cholera and plague have