Which of the following is categorized as a hospital-acquired infection (HAI)?

Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are infections that patients acquire while receiving treatment for medical or surgical conditions within a healthcare setting. These infections can occur in various forms and are often due to the invasive procedures or treatments that patients undergo during their hospital stay.

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) fall under the category of HAIs because they are directly linked to the use of urinary catheters, which are commonly used in hospitals for patients who are unable to urinate on their own. The introduction of foreign objects like catheters increases the risk of infection by providing a pathway for bacteria to enter the urinary system. CAUTIs are a significant concern in healthcare settings due to their prevalence and the potential complications they can cause, making proper hygiene and care around catheter use crucial in preventing these infections.

While pneumonia can also be contracted in a hospital setting, it is not always classified strictly as a hospital-acquired infection unless it meets specific criteria regarding the timing of onset and the patient's health status. Influenza, a contagious respiratory illness often caused by seasonal viruses, can also spread in healthcare environments but is not categorized as an HAI as it is not inherently linked to medical interventions. Skin rashes typically result from allergic reactions or irritants