The RN provides education for the family about the laboratory findings. Which of the following statements correctly describes the medical importance of a bacterial capsule?
a. A capsule is a slime layer that causes a bacterium to attach to body tissues, making it invasive and difficult to treat.
b. A capsule allows a bacterium to survive in a dormant state, creating a prolonged course of illness.
c. A capsule decreases a bacterium’s pathogenicity and makes it susceptible to antibiotic treatment.
d. A capsule can protect a bacterium from the phagocytic activities of white blood cells, enhancing its ability to cause disease.