If you see any signs of lice, you should report it to the nurse
because
A. Lice bites can cause severe contagious infections.
B. Lice spread to others through clothing, furniture, bed linens,
and sexual contact.
C. Lice can cause the person’s hair to permanently fall out.
D. The lice will cause the hair to mat and tangle.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is D. The lice will cause the hair to mat and tangle.
Lice infestations are a common problem, especially among children, but they can affect anyone. They are parasitic insects that live on the scalp and feed on blood. While lice themselves do not usually transmit severe diseases, they can cause a range of discomforts and complications if left untreated. The primary issue with lice is the itching they cause, which results from their bites. The bites can also lead to secondary infections if scratching breaks the skin.
Why Option D is Correct:
Lice feed on blood by attaching themselves to the scalp and biting into the skin. Over time, the presence of lice can cause the affected hair to become tangled and matted. The combination of lice, eggs (nits), and their secretions can create a sticky and tangled mess in the hair. This matting is often seen as a sign of an untreated infestation, where lice have been living on the scalp for an extended period. This condition can make it difficult for the affected person to groom or manage their hair.
Why Other Options are Incorrect:
- A. Lice bites can cause severe contagious infections: While it’s true that scratching lice bites can lead to infections (from breaking the skin), lice themselves do not cause severe contagious infections. Lice are more of a nuisance than a direct health threat, but secondary bacterial infections due to scratching can occur.
- B. Lice spread to others through clothing, furniture, bed linens, and sexual contact: While lice can spread through close contact and sharing personal items such as hats or brushes, they do not spread through sexual contact. They typically spread in close quarters, such as in schools or daycare settings, but not through indirect contact like clothing or furniture unless there’s direct contact with the affected person.
- C. Lice can cause the person’s hair to permanently fall out: Lice infestations do not cause permanent hair loss. If left untreated, severe lice infestations could cause hair damage from continuous scratching or from the hair becoming matted. However, hair loss is not a direct result of the lice themselves.
In conclusion, the main concern with lice is the physical effect they have on the hair, which can become matted and tangled due to the lice and nits.