Medical Asepsis

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Questions and Answers

What is the mode of transmission in the chain of infection?

Food and direct contact

Light and vehicles

Energy and vectors (correct)

Air and water

What is the reservoir in the context of infectious agents?

An environment with high oxygen levels

An environment with pH levels of 6.5 to 7

An environment with temperatures below 68°F

An environment that supports growth and survival of infectious agents (correct)

What defines the portal of exit in the chain of infection?

Route by which the agent exits the host's body

Route by which the agent moves from one host to another

Route by which the agent enters the host body

Route by which the agent moves from the reservoir to the host (correct)

What is the primary role of nurses in infection control?

To break the chain of infection using aseptic practices Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the incubation period in the course of infection?

Interval between time of exposure to infection until first symptom Signup and view all the answers

Who is considered a susceptibility host in the chain of infection?

A person or group with risk factors making them susceptible to disease Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a manifestation of strep throat?

Sore throat, pain, and swelling Signup and view all the answers

What increases the patient's risk for all types of health care-associated infections?

Improperly performing hand hygiene Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a site for health care-associated infections?

Failure to change IV access at first sign of infection Signup and view all the answers

What is a cause of mumps?

High fever and parotid gland swelling Signup and view all the answers

What causes contamination of intravenous (IV) fluids by tubing?

Insertion of drug additives to IV fluid Signup and view all the answers

What can lead to urinary tract health care-associated infections?

Improper perineal hygiene Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the interval between the entrance of a pathogen into the body and the appearance of the first symptoms?

Incubation period Signup and view all the answers

Which stage is characterized by nonspecific signs and symptoms, during which microorganisms grow and the patient may be capable of spreading the disease to others?

Prodromal stage Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the interval when a patient manifests signs and symptoms specific to the type of infection?

Illness stage Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common characteristic of healthcare associated infections (HAI)?

Invasive procedures Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of an infectious control nurse?

Advising hospital personnel on safe, aseptic practices Signup and view all the answers

Which type of transmission involves personal contact of a susceptible host with contaminated inanimate objects?

Contact transmission Signup and view all the answers

What does surgical asepsis focus on?

Reducing the number of pathogens in sterile technique Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum standard of OSHA with regards to contact with potential infectious material?

Wear gloves when in contact or potentially in contact with any blood, bodily fluids, mucous membranes, nonintact skin, and equipment or surfaces contaminated with potential infectious material. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of transmission involves germs being carried in droplet nuclei or residue suspended in air during coughing or sneezing?

Airborne transmission Signup and view all the answers

What does standard precautions established in 1987 for prevention of HIV transmission in healthcare settings entail?

All clients are considered potentially infected, and minimum standard is to wear gloves when in contact or potentially in contact with any blood, bodily fluids, mucous membranes, nonintact skin, and equipment or surfaces contaminated with potential infectious material. Signup and view all the answers

What does controlling reservoirs involve?

Eliminating sources that might harbor microorganisms such as body fluids, drainage, and solutions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used for external mechanical transfer of germs by flies or internal transmission such as parasitic conditions between vector and host?

Vector transmission Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chain of Infection

Mode of transmission: the way in which an infectious agent is transferred from the reservoir to a susceptible host
Reservoir: the source of the infectious agent, such as a person, animal, or object
Portal of exit: the means by which the infectious agent leaves the reservoir, such as through the mouth, nose, or skin

Infection Control

Primary role of nurses: to prevent and control the spread of infections
Susceptible host: a person who is more likely to contract an infection due to factors such as age, health status, or compromised immune system

Infectious Diseases

Strep throat: characterized by symptoms such as sore throat, fever, and swollen lymph nodes
Mumps: caused by the mumps virus, which is transmitted through direct contact with an infected person's saliva or mucus
Contamination of IV fluids: can occur through improper tubing or handling

Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI)

Increased risk: due to factors such as invasive medical devices, surgical procedures, and compromised immune system
Examples of sites: urinary tract, surgical wounds, and respiratory tract
Common characteristic: often caused by multidrug-resistant organisms

Infection Course

Incubation period: the time between the entrance of a pathogen into the body and the appearance of the first symptoms
Prodromal stage: characterized by nonspecific signs and symptoms, during which microorganisms grow and the patient may be capable of spreading the disease to others
Illness stage: characterized by signs and symptoms specific to the type of infection

Infection Prevention and Control

Infectious control nurse: responsible for developing and implementing infection control policies and procedures
Surgical asepsis: focuses on preventing surgical site infections through proper sterilization and handling of equipment
OSHA standard: requires universal precautions, such as gloves and masks, when handling potential infectious materials
Contact transmission: involves personal contact of a susceptible host with contaminated inanimate objects
Airborne transmission: involves germs being carried in droplet nuclei or residue suspended in air during coughing or sneezing
Standard precautions: established in 1987 for prevention of HIV transmission in healthcare settings, entail using personal protective equipment and handling bodily fluids with caution
Controlling reservoirs: involves eliminating or reducing the source of the infectious agent
Vector transmission: involves external mechanical transfer of germs by flies or internal transmission such as parasitic conditions between vector and host

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Description

Test your knowledge about the chain of infection and infectious agents by understanding the elements such as reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, and susceptibility host. Learn about different types of infectious agents like bacteria, viruses, fungi, yeast, and Protozoa, as well as the environmental requirements for their survival.