Aseptic Techniques for Nurses

Barophiles are microorganisms that survive in very high atmospheric pressure.

Autoclaves use a combination of high pressure and high temperature to effectively kill microbes.

The two critical factors are time and temperature.

<p>The thermal death point is the lowest temperature required to kill microbes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Organic material like pus and blood can act as protective coatings for microbes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Moist heat is faster and more effective than dry heat for sterilization.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Pressurized steam sterilization typically uses 121.5 ºC for 20 minutes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Freezing inhibits and stops microbial reproduction.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To avoid infecting nurses, patients, and others involved in patient care.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Sterilization is the complete destruction of all living organisms, including spores and viruses.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Disinfection destroys or removes harmful microorganisms from non-living objects, while sterilization eliminates all living organisms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Microbistatic agents are drugs or chemicals that inhibit the growth and reproduction of microorganisms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The goal of aseptic technique is to eliminate and exclude infectious microbes from patient care environments.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A bactericidal agent kills bacteria.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Methods include desiccation, freezing temperatures, and concentrated sugar or salt solutions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Asepsis ensures the absence of pathogens on living tissues, reducing the risk of infection.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A good chemical antimicrobial agent must kill pathogens effectively, be nontoxic to human tissues, soluble in water, inexpensive, stable, and resilient to pH and temperature changes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Surfactants, found in soaps and detergents, help to disrupt cell membranes and facilitate the removal of bacteria from surfaces.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Alcohols, like ethyl and isopropyl at 70%, act as effective skin antiseptics but do not destroy bacterial spores.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Phenolics, such as those found in Lysol, are effective because they remain active on surfaces for extended periods, even in the presence of organic materials.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Salts of heavy metals, like mercury chloride, are significant as they can effectively kill certain pathogens, exemplified by silver nitrate used in newborns' eyes for preventing gonorrhea.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Chlorine, like Clorox, serves as an antimicrobial agent by killing HIV when instruments are soaked for a minimum of 10 minutes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Iodine, as in Betadine solution, acts as an effective skin antiseptic and disinfectant by killing a broad spectrum of microbes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Chemical oxidation, exemplified by hydrogen peroxide, is crucial as it generates reactive species that can destroy microbial cells.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It must kill or inhibit the growth of pathogens and cause no damage to the host.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They target the ribosomes of bacteria to prevent the production of proteins necessary for bacterial growth.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Narrow-spectrum antibiotics target specific types of bacteria, while broad-spectrum antibiotics affect a wider range of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Prolonged use may destroy the normal flora of the mouth, intestine, or vagina.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Microorganisms may mutate genetically, allowing them to survive in the presence of the drug.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Vancomycin, which targets gram-positive bacteria.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It may cause aplastic anemia.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Ampicillin.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Formaldehyde is primarily used to preserve specimens and dead bodies due to its antimicrobial and sporicidal properties; it cannot be used on living tissues because it is very irritating.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Chemotherapeutic agents are substances (drugs) used to treat diseases, including infectious diseases, by targeting pathogens.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Antibiotics are substances produced by microorganisms that either kill or inhibit the growth of other microorganisms, distinguishing them from synthetic antimicrobial agents.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The four main types are antibacterials (bacterial infections), antifungal agents (fungal infections), antiprotozoals (protozoal infections), and antivirals (viral infections).</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Paul Ehrlich was a pioneer in the search for chemotherapy, testing over 600 chemicals to discover an effective arsenic compound for treating syphilis.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>In 1928, Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, a substance from Penicillium notatum that inhibited staphylococci growth, revolutionizing bacterial infection treatment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Florey and Boris purified penicillin and demonstrated its effectiveness for bacterial infections, facilitating its mass production for human use during WWII.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>By 1942, the U.S. drug industry had produced sufficient penicillin for human use, aided by advancements in purification and production methods during World War II.</p> Signup and view all the answers