Body's Defenses Against Infection

<p>Chronic infections develop slowly and persist over time, while acute infections are brief. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Exogenous infections are introduced from outside the body. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Reservoir (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To prevent infections among all patients through basic practices. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Contact precautions focus on preventing transmission through physical contact. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Removing gear in a specific sequence minimizes contamination risk. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To eliminate all microorganisms from an area (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Performing hand hygiene (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Surgical asepsis eliminates pathogens, medical asepsis reduces them (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>In everyday patient care activities (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A sterile field and strict adherence to protocols (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It acts as a physical barrier and produces antimicrobial substances. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Complete elimination of all microorganisms (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It has mucous membranes and cilia to trap and remove pathogens. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It significantly reduces the risk of infection transmission (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It enhances phagocytosis, inflammation, and pathogen lysis. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Washing hands with soap (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Hand hygiene serves a critical role in both methodologies (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It raises body temperature to inhibit pathogen growth. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To reduce and control the spread of pathogens (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Frequent handwashing. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Weakened immune function and risky behaviors. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They create breaks in natural barriers, providing entry points for pathogens. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To engulf and destroy pathogens. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Complement cascade. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They include skin, mucous membranes, and organs like the respiratory tract. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The body's first line of defense against infection, including physical barriers like skin, mucous membranes, cilia, and antimicrobial substances.

The tough outer layer of the body that prevents pathogens from entering.

The respiratory tract's protection against infection involves trapping pathogens with mucus and cilia, and using antimicrobial agents.

The body's second line of defense, involving white blood cells engulfing pathogens, activating proteins to enhance immune response, inflammation to isolate pathogens, and fever to inhibit their growth.

A cascade of protein activations in the blood that enhances the immune response by promoting phagocytosis, inflammation, and lysis of pathogens.

A defense mechanism that increases body temperature to slow down pathogen growth and enhance immune response.

Factors that increase the risk of developing an infection, such as age, chronic diseases, medications, invasive procedures, substance abuse, multiple sexual partners, and environmental factors.

Substance abuse can weaken the immune system, impair judgment leading to risky behaviors, and damage the body’s natural barriers, increasing the risk of infections.

Invasive procedures can create openings in the body's natural barriers, providing entry points for pathogens and increasing the risk of infection.

The stages of infection include incubation, prodromal, illness, decline, and convalescence.

The prodromal stage is characterized by the appearance of early, nonspecific symptoms such as fatigue and mild discomfort, indicating the onset of infection.

A localized infection is confined to a specific area of the body and manifests with symptoms such as redness, swelling, and pain at the infection site.

A systemic infection affects the entire body or multiple systems, often spreading through the bloodstream, and causes widespread symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and malaise.

Acute infections have a rapid onset and short duration, while chronic infections develop slowly, persist over a long period, and may recur.

A primary infection is the initial infection caused by a specific pathogen, while a secondary infection occurs as a result of the primary infection, often due to a weakened immune system.

Exogenous infections are caused by pathogens from outside the body, while endogenous infections result from the body's own flora becoming pathogenic.

Latent infections are characterized by periods of dormancy where the pathogen is inactive and does not cause symptoms, but can reactivate and cause disease later.

The six links in the chain of infection are the infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host.

Standard precautions are the first tier of protection and apply to all patients, including hand hygiene, use of PPE, safe injection practices, and proper handling of contaminated equipment.

Proper PPE usage protects healthcare workers and patients from exposure to infectious agents by creating a barrier between the person and the pathogen.

Practices that reduce the number of pathogens on surfaces and minimize their spread, like handwashing and cleaning.

Procedures that aim to completely eliminate microorganisms from an area, creating a sterile environment, for example, during surgery.

Surgical asepsis focuses on complete sterility to prevent infection, while medical asepsis aims to significantly reduce the number of harmful microorganisms.

It is used in routine patient care activities such as hand hygiene, cleaning surfaces, and wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).

These include sterilizing instruments, using sterile gloves and gowns, maintaining a sterile field, and following strict protocols to ensure sterility.

Sterile technique prevents infections during surgery by ensuring that everything instruments, surfaces, and involved personnel is free from harmful microorganisms.

It aims to reduce the number and spread of pathogenic microorganisms, making the environment safer for patients and healthcare workers.

It involves procedures that eliminate all microorganisms from a specific area, creating a completely sterile environment.

It focuses on preventing contamination during invasive procedures such as surgery, where the risk of infection is high.

It is typically applied in settings where invasive procedures are performed, such as operating rooms and critical care units.