Which of the following are considered portals of exit in the chain of

Which of the following are considered portals of exit in the chain of infection? (Select all that apply.)

1. A bleeding cut
2. A hardy sneeze
3. A kiss on the lips
4. A urinary catheter
5. A scraped knuckle
6. A friendly handshake

ANSWER

ANS: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
After microorganisms find a site to grow and multiply, they must find a portal of exit if they are to enter another host and cause disease. Portals of exit include sites such as blood, skin/mucous membranes, respiratory tract, genitourinary tract, gastrointestinal tract, and transplacental (mother to fetus). Unless the skin of the hands was broken (not intact), this contact would not be consid-ered a portal of exit.