Which of the following conditions is classified as infectious?

Tuberculosis is classified as an infectious disease because it is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which spreads from person to person through the air when an infected individual coughs or sneezes. This pathogen can infect the lungs and, in some cases, other parts of the body, leading to serious health complications if not treated.

Understanding the nature of infectious diseases is essential for medical assistants, as they need to know how to prevent the spread of infections in healthcare settings, recognize symptoms, and assist with proper patient education and care. In contrast, the other conditions listed, such as diabetes, appendicitis, and hypertension, are not caused by infectious agents. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder, appendicitis is typically a result of an obstruction leading to inflammation, and hypertension is a chronic condition related to blood pressure regulation. Therefore, tuberculosis stands out as the only infectious condition in the given options.