Fundamental Concepts in Nursing Practice Quiz

Susceptible Host

• Any person who is at risk for infection, including all humans and animals
• People who are more susceptible to infection:
  • Those with chronic disease
  • Immunocompromised individuals
  • Very young and elderly individuals

Nursing Process

• Assessment:
  • Thoroughly assess each patient to make patient-centered clinical decisions
  • Determine patient's feelings about illness or risk for infection
  • Assess defense mechanisms, susceptibility, and knowledge of infection transmission
  • Conduct a review of systems and travel history with patient and family
  • Review immunization and vaccination history, medication history, and laboratory findings

Infection Control

• Handwashing:
  • Essential skill for all healthcare providers
  • Requires soap, warm running water, and paper towels
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
  • Specialized clothing or equipment to minimize exposure to hazards
  • Includes gowns, masks, respirators, protective eyewear, and gloves
  • Addresses physical, electrical, heat, chemicals, biohazards, and airborne particulate matter

Medical Gowns and Masks

• Medical Gowns:
  • Also known as isolation gowns, surgical gowns, or procedure gowns
  • Cover-ups made of fluid-resistant material
  • Used for reducing the spread of infection through contact with potentially contagious liquid or solid substances
• Medical Masks:
  • Provide respiratory protection
  • Protect against inhaling microorganisms and small droplets
  • Contain droplets and particles breathed, coughed, or sneezed out

Vital Signs Measurement

• Importance of measuring vital signs:
  • Accurate measurement of vital signs is crucial for patient care
  • Know the patient's normal range of vital signs
  • Use equipment correctly and provide accurate findings
  • Select equipment based on patient's condition and characteristics
  • Control or minimize environmental factors that affect vital signs
• Guidelines for measuring vital signs:
  • Use an organized, systematic approach
  • Collaborate with healthcare providers
  • Analyze results based on patient's condition and past medical history
  • Verify and communicate significant changes in vital signs

Infection Transmission

• Infectious Agent:
  • Organism that can cause infections, such as bacteria, virus, fungi, protozoa, and parasite
• Infectious Process:
  • How microorganisms or parasites cause disease
  • Depends on the number of microorganisms present or the ability to produce disease
• Virulence:
  • Potential for microorganisms or parasites to cause disease
  • Regularly found in a given area at a given age
  • Dust particles containing the infectious agent can also be airborne