Here is why;
Understand infectious diseases - helps identify how pathogens like bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa cause disease, enabling better diagnosis, prevention and care.
Support infection control - knowledge of microbial transmission, sterilization, disinfection and isolation protocols helps reduce hospital-acquired infections.
Interpret lab results - aids in understanding diagnostic reports such as cultures, sensitivities, gram stains, which guide clinical decisions.
Antibiotic awareness - teaches the mechanism of antibiotics, resistance patterns, and the importance of proper use to prevent resistance crisis.
Enhance wound care skills - understanding of microbial colonization and biofilm formation guides effective wound assessment and treatment.
Support immunization programs - explains how vaccines work, their microbial targets, herd immunity concept, and patient education strategies.
Educate patients effectively - enables nurses to explain diseases, hygiene, antibiotics, and infection prevention to patients in accurate, simplified ways.
Understand body-microbe interaction - explores normal flora, opportunistic infections, and how immunity and microbiota impact health.
Aid in outbreak response - essential during epidemics and pandemics, like COVID-19, to follow protocols, understand pathogens, and educate others.
Bridge to advanced studies - forms a base for learning about pathology, pharmacology, and clinical nursing, especially in ICU, surgical or infectious disease units.
