In order for infections to spread, all links in the chain of infection must be connected. Nurses use techniques to break the chain of infection and prevent the spread of disease.

This infectious agent is any microorganism that is capable of producing an infection.

This is the place where the microorganism resides. It can be a food or water source, but it can also have a human source such as feces and respiratory secretions.

In order for an etiologic agent to establish an infection, the microorganism must leave the reservoir. In humans this portal of exit can be the nose, mouth, urethral meatus, open wounds, vagina or rectum.

This is the place where the infection agent enters the body.

This is a person who is susceptible to an infection. A "compromised host" is a person at risk.

A nurse washes her hands after leaving a patient's room

Washing hands will prevent the direct transmission of the agent.

A nurse autoclaves infected surgical instruments.

Autoclaving instruments destroys the etiologic agent.

Nurses avoid contracting hepatitis C by making sure their skin is not punctured by a needle.

A needle stick injury allows an infectious agent to enter a host (portal of entry)

A nurse administers the chicken pox vaccine to a pediatric patient.

Immunization reduces host susceptibility (susceptible host)

A nurse bandages a wound infected with MRSA.

A bandaged would prevents contaminated material from exiting the site.

A nurse places a mask over a patient's nose and mouth in the emergency room because the patient has tuberculosis.

The mask prevents the tuberculin bacteria from exiting the source.

A nurse protects the heels and elbows of a patient to prevent the breakdown of skin.

If the patient's skin remains intact, it will help prevent the entry of infectious agents. (portal of entry)

Community health nurses promote a project to get rid of unnecessary standing water to reduce the mosquito population.

Eliminating water reduces the source of mosquitos. (reservoir)

Home health nurses teach patients how to properly refrigerate food.

Refrigeration reduces the growth of microoganisms on food. (reservoir)

A nurse "red bags" infectious material for disposal.

Infectious material is removed and destroyed. (etiologic agent).

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Chain of Infection

Question	Answer
Chain of Infection	In order for infections to spread, all links in the chain of infection must be connected. Nurses use techniques to break the chain of infection and prevent the spread of disease.
Method of Transmission
Etiologic agent	This infectious agent is any microorganism that is capable of producing an infection.
Reservoir	This is the place where the microorganism resides. It can be a food or water source, but it can also have a human source such as feces and respiratory secretions.
Portal of exit	In order for an etiologic agent to establish an infection, the microorganism must leave the reservoir. In humans this portal of exit can be the nose, mouth, urethral meatus, open wounds, vagina or rectum.
Portal of entry	This is the place where the infection agent enters the body.
Susceptible host	This is a person who is susceptible to an infection. A "compromised host" is a person at risk.
Nurses practice techniques that break the chain and prevent the spread of infection.
A nurse washes her hands after leaving a patient's room	Washing hands will prevent the direct transmission of the agent.
A nurse autoclaves infected surgical instruments.	Autoclaving instruments destroys the etiologic agent.
Nurses avoid contracting hepatitis C by making sure their skin is not punctured by a needle.	A needle stick injury allows an infectious agent to enter a host (portal of entry)
A nurse administers the chicken pox vaccine to a pediatric patient.	Immunization reduces host susceptibility (susceptible host)
A nurse bandages a wound infected with MRSA.	A bandaged would prevents contaminated material from exiting the site.
A nurse places a mask over a patient's nose and mouth in the emergency room because the patient has tuberculosis.	The mask prevents the tuberculin bacteria from exiting the source.
A nurse protects the heels and elbows of a patient to prevent the breakdown of skin.	If the patient's skin remains intact, it will help prevent the entry of infectious agents. (portal of entry)
Community health nurses promote a project to get rid of unnecessary standing water to reduce the mosquito population.	Eliminating water reduces the source of mosquitos. (reservoir)
Home health nurses teach patients how to properly refrigerate food.	Refrigeration reduces the growth of microoganisms on food. (reservoir)
A nurse "red bags" infectious material for disposal.	Infectious material is removed and destroyed. (etiologic agent).

Created by: golfer

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