Veterinary Technician Practice Exam

Which of the following is a vehicle of disease?

1. Flea

2. Air

3. Instruments

4. Skin

The correct answer is: Instruments

A vehicle of disease refers to any medium that can carry pathogens from one host to another, facilitating the spread of infection. In this context, instruments are indeed a primary vehicle for diseases. They can harbor bacteria, viruses, or other infectious agents if not properly sterilized or cleaned. When these instruments interact with a patient, they can introduce pathogens, leading to infections. While fleas can transmit diseases through biting (acting more as a vector), air can carry airborne pathogens, and skin can harbor bacteria and act as a barrier, they are not classified as 'vehicles' in the traditional sense used within veterinary medicine. A vehicle specifically implies an inanimate object or surface that does not actively spread disease but rather carries it passively; thus, tools and instruments used in veterinary practice fit this definition. Proper cleaning and sterilization of these instruments are crucial in preventing the transmission of infectious diseases in both clinical and surgical settings.