Rasmussen MCB2289 2022 January Discussions Latest (Full)

MCB2289 Introduction to Microbiology

Module 1 Discussion

Food Gone Bad!

Directions:

Pasteurization, a process named in honor of French chemist, Louis Pasteur, uses heat to destroy pathogenic microorganisms in foods and beverages such as milk, cheese, fruit juices, and canned goods. Its intended use is to increase the shelf-life and stability of many foods. 

For your initial post, define the pasteurization process. Do you think pasteurization necessary? What about countries that don’t use pasteurization? How are they able to safely consume products like unpasteurized dairy products? Do you think raw milk and dairy products should be more or less available? 

For your reply post, expand on your peers’ ideas by sharing examples of what you learned about pasteurization and suggest outside resources that support your perspective. 

Please make your initial post by Tuesday, and respond to at least one other student's post by the end of the day Saturday. Please check the Course Calendar for specific due dates.

 

MCB2289 Introduction to Microbiology

Module 2 Discussion

How Clean Is Too Clean?

Directions:

The use of antibacterial products in hospitals and medical facilities is a necessary and common practice in order to prevent the transmission of disease-causing microorganisms. We have seen an increase in the use of these products, such as antibacterial hand soaps, hand sanitizers, antimicrobial wipes and cleaning sprays, and even dishwashing liquids in healthy households.  

For your initial post, provide examples of household products that contain antimicrobial compounds and share the potential benefits as well as any potential harm they could cause with overuse. Do you think daily and frequent use of these types of products within a healthy home is a good idea? Should the FDA have banned the marketing of antibacterial ingredients such as triclosan and triclocarban in the majority of household products? After your research, do you think you will increase or decrease your use of these types of products in your home? 

For your reply post, respond to at least one of your peers about the benefits and potential harms of using these types of products in a healthy household.

Please make your initial post by midweek, and respond to at least one other student's post by the end of the week.

Please check the Course Calendar for specific due dates.

 

 

 

MCB2289 Introduction to Microbiology

Module 3 Discussion

What Goes Around Comes Around

Directions:

Have you heard of the so-called "5-second rule" for when food falls to the floor? (NOT true, by the way) Have you seen the signs in restrooms indicating that all employees must wash their hands before returning to work? Bacteria are everywhere, and the concept of cleanliness should apply to anyone who comes in contact with foreign materials, fecal matter or urine, or any potentially contaminated materials.

For your initial post, discuss which two rooms in your home or workplace that you believe are the most contaminated. Explain why you chose these two rooms and list at least two bacteria that are the common types found in those rooms.

For your reply post, respond to at least one of your peers about different methods that can be used to decontaminate these rooms to reduce or eliminate microorganisms.

Please make your initial post by midweek, and respond to at least one other student's post by the end of the week.

Please check the Course Calendar for specific due dates.

 

MCB2289 Introduction to Microbiology

Module 4 Discussion

Viral Treatment Options

Directions:

There are many opinions on the need and/or importance of vaccines in preventing the spread of disease. Our children are required to get vaccinations before entering school, and healthcare workers must have them when working in environments where they can come into contact with bloodborne pathogens. In healthcare facilities, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) are the two most prominent infectious concerns for medical staff.

For your initial post, research the two diseases HIV and HCV. Based on your research, discuss whether you think that a vaccine will be developed for either of these diseases within the next ten years. Why or why not?

For your reply post, expand on your peers' ideas by sharing examples from your own experience or readings, suggesting outside resources to support the topic, and/or asking furthering questions to dig deeper into the topic.

Please make your initial post by midweek, and respond to at least one other student's post by the end of the week.

Please check the Course Calendar for specific due dates.

 

 

 

 

MCB2289 Introduction to Microbiology

Module 5 Discussion

What’s Eating You?

Directions:

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the more prevalent nosocomial infections in healthcare faculties today. Any patient with a compromised immune system or open wound is susceptible to contracting MRSA from medical staff or even family members. Although MRSA is commonly connected to health care facilities, MRSA can be found anywhere.

For your initial post, discuss who you believe to be at the highest risk for MRSA outside the health care environment? Explain. Discuss the common fomites—or transmission factors—involved, as well as the preventative measures the public can do to reduce or prevent MRSA infections.

For your reply post, expand on your peers' ideas by sharing examples from your own experience or readings, suggesting outside resources to support the topic, and/or asking furthering questions to dig deeper into the topic.

Please make your initial post by midweek, and respond to at least one other student's post by the end of the week.

Please check the Course Calendar for specific due dates.

 

MCB2289 Introduction to Microbiology

Module 6 Discussion

Microbial Transmission Routes in Hospitals

Directions:

Hospitals and other healthcare settings will often implement Transmission-Based Precautions to prevent or help reduce the spread of infections to healthcare workers, as well other patients in their care. These Transmission-Based Precautions are designed to supplement standard precautions in patients/residents with documented or suspected infection/colonization of highly transmissible or epidemiologically important pathogens. The three categories of Transmission-Based Precautions include:

Contact Precautions

Droplet Precautions

Airborne Precautions

For your initial post, choose one of the Transmission Based Precautions listed above to report on. Research your selection and provide answers to the following questions: When should the precaution be implemented? What type of PPE should be used by a health care worker providing care to the patient? Are there any other considerations that apply when caring for a patient with this type of precaution? Finally, list some examples of diseases that fall into this category. 

For your reply post, expand on your peers' ideas by sharing examples from your own experience or readings, suggesting outside resources to support the topic, and/or asking furthering questions to dig deeper into the topic.

Please make your initial post by midweek, and respond to at least one other student's post by the end of the week. Please check the Course Calendar for specific due dates.

 

MCB2289 Introduction to Microbiology

Module 7 Discussion

STD 101

Directions:

You are an Infection Control Practitioner (ICP) for your county’s Public Health clinic. You have been invited to speak to a group of registered nurses who work in the public school system and a county-led group home. Your job is to provide education about common STDs and STIs with a focus on how the latest medications function to treat the disease. 

For your initial post, share an example of an STD caused by a bacterial infection and one caused by a viral agent. How would each of these STDs be transmitted, what are the primary signs and symptoms of each, and what medication treatment options are available. Describe how each medication works to control the replication, transmission, and related signs and symptoms of the diseases. 

For your reply post, provide feedback to at least one classmate and include your researched thoughts and impressions. 

Please make your initial post by midweek, and respond to at least one other student's post by the end of the week. Please check the Course Calendar for specific due dates.

 

MCB2289 Introduction to Microbiology

Module 8 Discussion

Outbreak!

Directions:

There are few individuals in the world who have not been impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19). 

For your initial post, do some research on coronaviruses and then share what you learn about how a typical coronavirus compares to COVID-19. What does it mean for a virus to “mutate” and what could this mean to the process of developing immunity? Many people have chosen to get vaccinated while others have not. What do you think are the benefits of getting vaccinated and are there any scientific or medical reasons (exclude personal or religious reasons) that could serve as reasonable contraindications to being vaccinated or that would justify prolonging this medical intervention? 

For your reply post, respectfully respond to at least one other student post. Share any statistical data or references you have encountered that supports your position.

Please make your initial post by midweek, and respond to at least one other student's post by the end of the week. Please check the Course Calendar for specific due dates.

 

MCB2289 Introduction to Microbiology

Module 9 Discussion

Over Medicated and Overwhelmed

Directions:

Antibiotics have saved millions of lives since they were first observed by Pasteur and Koch and later named by Selman Waksman in 1942. Unfortunately, antibiotic-resistant microbial strains are becoming more prevalent and therefore making once easily treated infections more difficult to treat.

For your initial discussion post, share your thoughts on three ways that society—not physicians or medical staff—can help to reduce the development of drug-resistant microbial strains.

For your reply post, expand on your peers' ideas by sharing examples from your own experience or readings, suggesting outside resources to support the topic, and/or asking furthering questions to dig deeper into the topic.

Please make your initial post by midweek, and respond to at least one other student's post by the end of the week. Please check the Course Calendar for specific due dates.

 

MCB2289 Introduction to Microbiology

Module 10 Discussion

Natural Disasters and the Spread of Disease

Directions:

Every year, natural disasters impact families, communities, nations, and cultures. Whether the natural disaster is a flood, hurricane, tornado, fire, or earthquake, it can alter the environment and cause potential health hazards.

For this module's initial discussion post, research a major national or global disaster that occurred in the last decade. Provide a brief summary of the disaster and explain the common public health risks that occurred, as well as potential long-term health risks the victims might be facing. Do you think the type of natural disaster you studied has the highest risk of spreading diseases, or another type of natural disaster? Explain.

For your reply post, expand on your peers' ideas by sharing examples from your own experience or readings, suggesting outside resources to support the topic, and/or asking furthering questions to dig deeper into the topic.

Please make your initial post by midweek, and respond to at least one other student's post by the end of the week. Please check the Course Calendar for specific due dates.

 

MCB2289 Introduction to Microbiology

Module 11 Discussion

Future of Medicine

Directions:

Genetic engineering has become a part of our culture, and it is difficult to tell the difference between unmodified and genetically modified food sources, such as plants and animals. After reading this module's material regarding vectors in biotechnology, consider the potential for nanotechnology and gene therapy.

Articles to help with the Discussion Forum Topic

Will Nanotechnology Bring New Hope for Gene Delivery? Wong, Joanna KL; Mohseni, Rashin; Amir Ali Hamidieh; MacLaren, Robert E; Nagy, Habib; et al. Trends in Biotechnology; Oxford Vol. 35, Iss. 5, (May 1, 2017): 434-451. DOI:10.1016/j.tibtech.2016.12.009

Application of nanotechnology in plant growth and crop protection: A review. Molecules, 24(14), 2558. Shang, Y., Hasan, M. K., Ahammed, G. J., Li, M., Yin, H., & Zhou, J. (2019).

Schuerle, S., & Danino, T. (2020). Bacteria take on cancer: Autonomous living microbots that seek and destroy cancer are not as futuristic as one might imagine, thanks to the fusion of robotics and synthetic biology. Scientist, 34(4), 30-39. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip,shib&db=f6h&AN=142349354&site=ehost-live&scope=site&custid=s9076023

For your initial discussion post, research nanotechnology and its potential use in biotechnology. Explain the potential advantages and disadvantages of nanotechnology in healthcare and discuss whether you would or would not support further research.

For your reply post, expand on your peers' ideas by sharing examples from your own experience or readings, suggesting outside resources to support the topic, and/or asking furthering questions to dig deeper into the topic.