Which term describes microorganisms that will not cause illness?

Prepare for the Nurse Aide I Module B – Infection Prevention Test. Leverage multiple choice questions, detailed flashcards, and comprehensive explanations. Ensure your readiness for the exam!

The main idea is understanding disease-causing potential. A non-pathogen describes a microorganism that does not cause disease in a person. Most non-pathogens are harmless or benign residents, though some microbes labeled as normal flora can become opportunistic pathogens if the host’s defenses are compromised or the microbe moves to a body site where it shouldn’t be. Pathogens are the opposite—they cause illness. An outbreak is a health event where illness cases rise beyond what’s expected, not a description of a microbe’s potential. So, for microorganisms that will not cause illness, the correct term is non-pathogen.