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Asepsis/Infection
Transitions
Question | Answer |
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List the components of the infection cycle | Infectious agent>Reservoir>Portal of Exit>Means of Transmission>Portals of Entry>Susceptible host |
What is the most significant and commonly observed infection causing agents in health care institutions? | Bacteria |
What is the smallest of all microorganisms? | Virus |
Fungi that cause infections are found where? | Air Soil Water |
What infectious mechanism does not respond to antibiotics? | Virus |
Name possible reservoirs for microorganisms | Animals Soil Food Water Milk Inanimate objects |
Endemic | occurs with predictability in a region or population |
Pandemic | global outbreak of a novel virus |
An infection or disease that may be spread by touching a contaminated inanimate article | Influenza by touching a contaminated article then touching one's own eyes or nose |
An infection or disease spread by drinking or swimming in contaminated water is | Guardia E-Coli Shingella |
Portal of Exit | Organism cannot exert its influence unless it moves away from the original reservoir |
Common portals of exit in humans are | Respiratory GI Tract GU Tract Breaks in skin blood and tissues for pathogens |
Direct contact means of transmission include what? | Close proximity between a susceptible host and an infected person Touching Kissing Sexual intercourse |
List the stages of Infection | Incubation Period Prodromal Stage Full Stage of Illness Convalescent Period |
Personal contact with a vector or inanimate object is what? | Indirect contact |
Vector | A living creature that transmits an infectious agent to a human, usually an insect |
Fomite | An inanimate object such as equipment or countertops (or a nurses stethoscope) |
Inflammatory Response | Protective mechanism that helps the body neutralize, control or eliminate the offending agent and prepare the site for repair |
List the hallmark signs of acute infection | Redness Heat Swelling Pain Loss of function at the site of the injury or invasion |
the vascular inflammatory response | Small blood vessels constrict the area followed by vasodilatation of the blood flow that results in redness and heat in the area. Histamine is then released leading to increased permeability of the vessels allowing protein rich fluid to pour into the area leading to pain swelling and possible loss of function of the area |
the cellular stage of the inflammatory response | White blood cells (leukocytes) move into the area and neutrophils engulf the organism and consume cell debris and foreign materials. Exudate is released from the wound. The damaged cells are then repaired by either regeneration or formation of scar tissue |
Humoral Immunity | The antigen-antibody reaction The foreign material (antigen) The body responds by producing the antibody to protect and defend itself. |
Cell mediated immunity | Increased number of lymphocytes that destroy or react with a cell that the body recognizes as harmful |
Factors affecting the risk of infection | Intact skin and mucous membranes Normal pH levels body's WBC's Age, sex, and heredity factors Immunizations natural or acquired Fatigue, climate, nutritional and general health status Stress Use of invasive or indwelling medical devices |
Normal Neutrophil Count | 60%-70% |
Normal Lymphocyte Count | 20%-40% |
What lab data is important to evaluate when indicating an infection? | WBC's Neutrophils Lymphocytes Monocytes Eosinophils Basophils elevated ESR Presence of pathogen in urine, blood sputum or wound drainage |
Normal Leukocyte Count | 5000-10,000 mm |
What are examples of actual or potential health problems related to infection? | Dehydration Infection Risk Knowledge Deficiency |
What are appropriate outcomes for preventing infection and using infection control techniques? | Demonstrate effective hand hygiene and good personal hygiene practices Identify signs and symptoms of infection Maintain adequate nutritional and fluid intake Demonstrate proper disposal of soiled articles Use appropriate cleansing and disinfecting techniques Verbalize awareness of the necessity of proper immunizations Implement stress reduction techniques Adhere to infection control precautions Verbalize an understanding of health risks associated with a latex allergy |
Medical asepsis | Clean technique to reduce the number of pathogens Hand Hygiene Wearing gloves |
Surgical Asepsis | Sterile technique using practices to render and keep objects and areas free from microorganisms (IV, Inserting a foley) |
List the five moments of hand hygiene | Before touching a patient Before a clean or aseptic technique After a body fluid exposure or risk of exposure After touching a patient After touching patient surroundings |
When is the best time to use alcohol-based hand rubs? | Quick way to remove germs when hands are not visibly soiled |
Transient Bacterial Flora on the hands | Occur on hands with activities of daily living Relatively few in number on clean and exposed areas of the skin Attached loosely on skin usually in grease, fats, and dirt Found in greatest number under the fingernails Can be pathogenic or nonpathogenic |
Resident bacterial flora on the Hands | Normally found in skin creases cling tenaciously to skin by adhesion and absorbtion HealthcarUsually stable in number and type |
Exogenous infection | causative organism is acquired from other individuals |
Endogenous Infection | Occurs when the causative organism comes from microbial life harbored in the person |
Iatrogenic infection | results from a treatment or diagnostic procedure |
The CDC has identified four core actions to fight resistant strains of bacteria ( MRSA< VRE< CRE) | Preventing infections, thereby preventing the spread of resistance Tracking Improving antibiotic prescribing and stewardship Developing new drugs and diagnostic tests |
C Diff infection requires what infection control technique? | Soap and water are required because the CDI is not killed by alcohol based handrubs |
C-Diff precautions include what? | Confirming the diagnosis with appropriate diagnostic testing protocols avoiding the use of electronic equipment that is difficult to clean (electronic thermometers) Disinfecting dedicated patient care items and equipment such as stethoscopes between patients Using terminal cleaning protocols (C-Diff sporicidal agents) for patient care areas and equipment with patient transfers and discharges Using full barrier precautions Place patient in private rooms Meticulous hand hygiene |
What methods help break the cycle of infection | Cleansing Disinfection Sterilization |
Disinfection | destroys all pathogenic organisms except spores |
Sterilization | destroys all microorganisms including spores and endospores |
List physical sterilization and disinfection methods | Steam at higher temperature caused by higher pressure destroys organisms (autoclaving) Dry heat is an alternative in the home for metal items; Heating the oven to 350 degrees for two or more hours Radiation is used for pharmaceuticals foods, plastics, and otehr heat sensitive items *remember most plastic and rubber devices are damaged by autoclaving; spores and some viruses are not destroyed by boiling, object must be directly exposed to ultraviolet radiation on all surfaces; Possesses risk to personnel |
Chemical sterilization and disinfection methods | Ethylene oxide gas destroys microorganisms and spores/endospores by interfering with metabolic processes in cells; Gas is released while items such as oxygen and suction gauges, BP equipment are contained in the autoclave. Precautions are necessary because gas is toxic to humans Chemical solutions used for instrument and equipment disinfection and for housekeeping disinfection. Chlorines are useful for disinfecting water and for housekeeping purposes. Does not destroy all spores/may cause corrosion |
standard precautions | Hand Hygiene Clean nonsterile gloves PPE |