Questions and Answers
What is Hand Hygiene?
What does an alcohol-based handrub consist of?
3 to 5 mL of antiseptic gel applied to the palm, rubbed until dry.
When should gloves be worn?
Perform hand hygiene until the product disappears and the hands are ______.
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What is cough etiquette?
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Standard precautions apply only to patients with known infections.
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Which of the following is included in transmission-based precautions?
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What should be done after disposing of gloves?
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What are the correct isolation precautions for a patient with tuberculosis?
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What should be done when hand washing is needed?
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Wearing a mask is unnecessary when treating patients with respiratory infections.
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What is the best way to minimize infection risk for a patient diagnosed with infectious diarrhea?
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Study Notes
Hand Hygiene and Infection Control
- Hand hygiene involves wetting hands with water, applying soap, lathering for 15 seconds, rinsing with fingers pointed down, and drying hands properly.
- Alcohol-based hand rub requires applying gel and rubbing hands until dry, with gloves applied afterward.
- Nonsterile gloves are essential when handling body fluids, providing oral care, or when in contact with mucous membranes or non-intact skin.
- Gloves must fit properly and should not be reused; hand hygiene is still necessary after glove use.
Cough Etiquette and Standard Precautions
- Cough etiquette includes covering mouth and nose, using tissues for respiratory secretions, wearing masks when necessary, and maintaining distance from others.
- Standard precautions apply to all patients, focusing on blood, body fluids, and safe handling to prevent infection transmission.
Transmission-based Precautions
- Types of transmission-based precautions include contact, droplet, and airborne precautions, tailored to specific disease transmission methods.
- Contact precautions focus on preventing transmission via contaminated objects or surfaces; droplet precautions are for infectious agents expelled within a 3-6 feet range.
- Airborne precautions are for diseases transmitted through smaller droplets, e.g., tuberculosis.
Protective Environment
- Designed for patients post-transplant or gene therapy, creating a low-risk space for infections, particularly fungal infections.
Infection Control Challenges
- The presence of symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea in patients raises infection control concerns; standard and contact precautions should be implemented.
- Specific scenarios, like caring for patients with known infections (e.g., Salmonella), require thorough hygiene practices and the use of dedicated equipment.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- PPE includes disposable gloves, masks, gowns, and goggles; using proper equipment protects against contamination and infection spread.
- Hand hygiene must be practiced before and after patient interactions, especially after handling contaminated items like notebooks or pens.
Specific Patient Scenarios
- Tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, including a negative airflow room and N95 respirators to protect healthcare workers from small droplet nuclei.
- Maintaining hygiene after patient contact involves handwashing, particularly when dealing with body fluids and infectious waste.
Guidelines for Handwashing
- Effective handwashing with soap should last at least 15 seconds; alcohol-based hand sanitizers should dry completely to achieve full antiseptic effect.
- Use of petroleum-based products can compromise glove integrity, while alcohol-based gel simplifies hand hygiene in many settings.
HAI and Precautions
- Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) develop during hospitalization; knowledge of proper precautions minimizes risks.
- Alcohol-based sanitizers are quicker than soap and water, although they are less effective on gross contamination.
Importance of Education and Compliance
- Staff must communicate the importance of PPE; neglecting to use necessary protective equipment can lead to increased infection risk.
- Workers should adhere strictly to protocols for infection prevention, ensuring the safety of patients and healthcare staff alike.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the principles of hand hygiene with this flashcard quiz from the ATI Handwashing Module 1. Learn the proper techniques for washing hands to ensure effective cleanliness and infection control in healthcare settings.
