Body's Natural Defenses Against Infection

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following components is part of the body's innate immune system?

  • B cells
  • T cells
  • Stomach acid
  • Phagocytes (correct)

What is the primary characteristic of adaptive immunity?

  • Immediate response
  • Physical barriers like skin
  • Involvement of memory cells (correct)
  • Non-specific defense

Which factor is NOT associated with an increased risk of developing an infection?

  • Advanced age
  • Excellent hygiene practices (correct)
  • Compromised immune system
  • Chronic diseases

Identify the phase of infection characterized by severe and specific symptoms.

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

Which of the following describes localized infections?

<p>Redness and warmth at the site (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of infection is characterized by a rapid onset and short duration?

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

Which link in the chain of infection refers to the organism causing the disease?

<p>Infectious agent (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which nursing intervention is aimed specifically at preventing the spread of infection?

<p>Hand hygiene practices (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes standard precautions from transmission-based precautions?

<p>Application to all patients regardless of infection status (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which infection stage would early, mild symptoms typically occur?

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

What should be used for contact precautions when interacting with a patient?

<p>Gown and gloves (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following prevents transmission through droplets?

<p>Surgical mask (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the major distinction between medical asepsis and surgical asepsis?

<p>Surgical asepsis eliminates all pathogens, while medical asepsis reduces the number (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which personal protective equipment should be used for airborne precautions?

<p>N95 respirator (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following indicates that sterility has been compromised?

<p>Damaged or contaminated equipment (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one way to practice medical asepsis?

<p>Hand hygiene (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of an emerging infectious disease?

<p>COVID-19 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do nurses have in combating emerging infectious diseases?

<p>Advocating for vaccination and infection control practices (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if the sterilization date has expired?

<p>Discard it immediately (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What equipment is required for droplet precautions in a healthcare setting?

<p>Surgical mask and face shield (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Physical and Chemical Barriers

The body's first line of defense, including physical barriers like skin and mucous membranes, and chemical barriers like stomach acid.

Innate Immune System

The second line of defense, involving non-specific immune cells like phagocytes and natural killer cells, as well as the inflammatory response.

Adaptive Immune System

The third line of defense, involving specific immune cells like B cells and T cells, creating a memory for future encounters with pathogens.

Factors increasing infection risk

A weak immune system, chronic conditions, poor hygiene, age (very young or elderly), and hospitalization or surgery.

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Incubation Stage

The stage where the pathogen enters the body but no symptoms are noticeable.

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Prodromal Stage

The stage of mild symptoms, often fatigue, headache, or body aches.

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Illness Stage

The stage when the infection reaches its peak, with the most severe and specific symptoms.

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Decline Stage

The stage when the immune system starts to overcome the infection, and symptoms begin to decrease.

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Convalescence Stage

The final recovery stage where the body returns to its normal state.

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Localized Infection

Infection confined to a specific area, often causing redness, swelling, warmth, pain, and pus.

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Infection Control

Practices used to prevent the spread of infections, including proper handwashing, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and respiratory hygiene.

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Transmission-Based Precautions

Precautions applied to patients known or suspected to be infected with certain pathogens. Examples include contact, droplet, and airborne precautions.

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Contact Precautions

Wearing gloves and a gown when caring for a patient or interacting with their environment, used to prevent the spread of infections through direct contact.

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Droplet Precautions

Wearing a mask when in close proximity to a patient, used to prevent the spread of infections through respiratory droplets.

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Airborne Precautions

Wearing an N95 respirator, used to prevent the spread of infections through small airborne particles that can remain suspended in the air for longer periods.

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Medical Asepsis

Practices that aim to reduce the number of pathogens on surfaces and in the environment, using methods like handwashing, disinfection, and barriers. Examples include cleaning a bedside table.

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Surgical Asepsis

Practices that eliminate all pathogens from surfaces and objects, used in procedures like surgeries and injections. Procedures involving sterile equipment.

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Compromised Sterility

Any tear, wetness, expired date, or damage on sterile packaging or equipment indicates a potential contamination, making it unsuitable for use.

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Emerging Pathogens

New or emerging pathogens and infectious diseases present a threat to public health. Nurses play a critical role in surveillance, patient education, and infection control practices.

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Nurse's Role in Emerging Diseases

The nurse's role in addressing emerging infectious diseases includes surveillance, patient education, infection control practices, and advocating for vaccination.

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Study Notes

Body's Natural Defenses Against Infection

  • Physical and Chemical Barriers: Skin, mucous membranes, stomach acid prevent pathogen entry.
  • Innate Immune System: Phagocytes (engulf pathogens), natural killer cells (destroy infected cells), and inflammation (localized response) act as immediate, nonspecific defenses.
  • Adaptive Immune System: B cells (humoral immunity, antibody production) and T cells (cell-mediated immunity, direct cell attack) provide specific, targeted defenses with immunological memory.

Factors Increasing Infection Risk

  • Compromised immune system (e.g., chronic diseases, HIV)
  • Poor hygiene
  • Age (very young or elderly)
  • Hospitalizations and surgical procedures

Stages of Infection

  • Incubation: Period between pathogen entry and symptom onset.
  • Prodromal: Early, mild symptoms.
  • Illness: Severe, characteristic symptoms.
  • Decline: Symptoms lessen as immune response gains strength.
  • Convalescence: Recovery phase.

Localized vs. Systemic Infections

  • Localized: Redness, swelling, warmth, pain, pus, confined to a specific area.
  • Systemic: Fever, chills, fatigue, body aches; involve the whole body.

Infection Classifications

  • Acute: Rapid onset, short duration.
  • Chronic: Slow progression, long duration.
  • Latent: Dormant phase with potential for reactivation.

Chain of Infection

  • Infectious Agent: Pathogen causing disease.
  • Reservoir: Where the pathogen lives (e.g., human, animal, environment).
  • Portal of Exit: Pathway pathogen leaves the reservoir (e.g., respiratory tract, skin).
  • Mode of Transmission: How the pathogen spreads (e.g., contact, airborne).
  • Portal of Entry: Pathway pathogen enters a new host (e.g., respiratory tract, mucous membranes).
  • Susceptible Host: Individual more vulnerable to infection.

Nursing Interventions to Prevent Infection Spread

  • Hand hygiene
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • Sterilization and disinfection
  • Isolation procedures
  • Patient education

Standard Precautions

  • Hand hygiene
  • Use of PPE (gloves, gowns, masks, goggles)
  • Respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette
  • Safe injection practices

Transmission-Based Precautions

  • Contact Precautions: Gown and gloves for contact with patient or environment.
  • Droplet Precautions: Mask for close contact.
  • Airborne Precautions: N95 respirator, negative pressure room.

Medical vs. Surgical Asepsis

  • Medical Asepsis (Clean Technique): Reduces the number of pathogens, maintaining a clean environment.
  • Surgical Asepsis (Sterile Technique): Eliminates all pathogens, crucial for invasive procedures.
  • Sterility Compromisation: Broken or wet packaging, expired dates, contaminated equipment.

Emerging Pathogens and Infectious Diseases

  • Emerging infectious diseases (e.g., COVID-19, Ebola, Zika, antibiotic-resistant bacteria.)
  • Nurse roles: Surveillance, patient education, infection control adherence and vaccination promotion.

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