Cohorting patients with similar symptoms during an outbreak is primarily intended to reduce what?

• A. Cross-transmission
• B. Antibiotic resistance
• C. Patient turnover
• D. Hospital costs

Answer: (A)

Grouping patients with the same infection or symptoms during an outbreak is done to contain the spread of infection. By concentrating those patients in one area and using dedicated staff and equipment for that group, you reduce opportunities for the pathogen to move from an infected patient to others, cutting down cross-transmission. Antibiotic resistance stems from antibiotic use and selection pressure, not from where patients are housed. Cohorting does not primarily target patient turnover or hospital costs, though there may be indirect effects.