A patient with a history of poor nutrition and chronic illness is admitted to the medical unit.The nurse caring for this patient is preparing to provide the patient with a bed bath and recalls that normal body flora:

A) are only found on the skin surface.
B) are beneficially aided by the use of antibiotics.
C) are primary sources of infection when balanced.
D) help to maintain health.

Normal flora usually does not cause disease,but instead help to maintain health.The number and variety of flora maintain a sensitive balance with other microorganisms to prevent infection.The body's normal flora is made up of a large numbers of microorganisms residing on the surface and deep layers of the skin,in the saliva and oral mucosa,and in the intestinal walls.Any factor that disrupts this balance places a person at increased risk for infection.For example,the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics for the treatment of infection eliminates or changes normal bacterial flora,often leading to suprainfection.Microorganisms resistant to antibiotics then cause serious infection.