Certified Clinical Medical Assistant CCMA Practice Test

The parent of a child who has pediculosis is asking an MA for more information about her child's condition. The assistant should begin by explaining the pediculosis is which of the following types of infection?

1. bacterial

2. fungal

3. parasitic

4. viral

The correct answer is: parasitic

The correct answer is that pediculosis is a parasitic infection. This condition is specifically caused by an infestation of lice, which are small parasitic insects that live on the scalp and hair of humans. Lice feed on human blood, which can cause itching and irritation of the scalp. Providing this information to the parent is important as it helps them understand that the lice are the source of the infection and that treatment will focus on eliminating these parasites. Understanding that it is parasitic in nature also underscores the need for specific interventions, such as medicated shampoos or topical treatments, rather than treatments that would be effective against bacterial, fungal, or viral infections. This distinction allows caregivers to approach the management and prevention of infections like pediculosis with the appropriate knowledge and care.