Which of the following is a common example of a nosocomial infection?

A catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is a common example of a nosocomial infection because it occurs in patients who have had a urinary catheter inserted during hospital stays or medical treatments. These infections are often caused by bacteria that enter the urinary tract through the catheter, making them a significant risk for patients undergoing prolonged catheterization in healthcare settings.

Healthcare environments, such as hospitals, present unique conditions where pathogens can spread more easily due to the higher density of patients, the presence of invasive devices like catheters, and the use of antibiotics that can alter normal flora, leading to opportunistic infections. CAUTIs are one of the most frequently reported types of healthcare-associated infections, underlining the importance of infection control practices in hospitals.

In contrast, while pneumonia can also occur in a healthcare setting, it is not exclusively classified as a nosocomial infection and can be contracted in the community, making it less specific than CAUTI. The stomach flu (viral gastroenteritis) and chickenpox are primarily viral infections that are typically not associated with healthcare environments; they are usually transmitted from person to person outside of the clinical setting. Thus, CAUTI stands out as the most representative example of a nosocomial infection.