Infection and Asepsis Overview

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following microorganisms qualifies as an infection agent?

Anxiety

Fungi (correct)

Dietary bacteria

Inflammation

What describes medical asepsis?

The absence of disease-producing microorganisms (correct)

Use of sterile techniques during all procedures

Complete sterilization of all instruments

Isolation of patients with infectious diseases

Which situation indicates the need for surgical asepsis?

Performing a blood pressure check

Applying a topical ointment

Taking a patient's temperature

Inserting a catheter into a sterile cavity (correct)

What happens when a sterile object touches a contaminated object?

The sterile object becomes contaminated Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a principle of surgical asepsis?

Sterile objects can be touched by clean objects Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes how contamination can occur?

A dangling piece of clothing brushes against a sterile field Signup and view all the answers

What should be avoided to maintain a sterile field?

Talking over the sterile field Signup and view all the answers

Which of these conditions indicates that a package is UNSTERILE?

It is torn or punctured Signup and view all the answers

What occurs when a sterile surface contacts a wet contaminated surface?

The sterile surface becomes contaminated. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the edges of a sterile field or container?

They are considered contaminated. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in pouring a sterile solution according to standard protocol?

Discard a small amount before pouring the desired amount. Signup and view all the answers

What defines a communicable disease?

A disease that results from infection and can spread from person to person. Signup and view all the answers

During which stage of the infectious process does the first symptom appear?

Illness Period Signup and view all the answers

What type of pathogen is characterized as normally living on a person's skin and not easily removed?

Resident Pathogen Signup and view all the answers

What is the main process involved in disinfection?

Destroying pathogens but not their spores from inanimate objects. Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of septicemia?

Bloodstream infection caused by pathogens. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of sterilization?

To completely destroy all microorganisms including spores Signup and view all the answers

Which method of sterilization is considered the most dependable?

Steam Sterilization under Pressure Signup and view all the answers

What is a major disadvantage of gas sterilization?

It requires lengthy aeration before use Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT considered in the selection of a sterilization or disinfection method?

Size of the equipment Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of dry heat sterilization?

Its penetration ability is insufficient to destroy all microorganisms Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true about concurrent disinfection?

It involves ongoing practices during client care Signup and view all the answers

What is a common use of chlorine in disinfection?

For disinfecting water Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of barriers in infection control?

To prevent the spread of pathogens from one person to another Signup and view all the answers

Which areas of the gown are considered sterile for nurses?

Anterior waist and sleeves excluding collar Signup and view all the answers

What is one approved method for disposing of liquid body fluids?

Flushing down a drain connected to a sewer Signup and view all the answers

Which color-coded trashcan is used for non-biodegradable or recyclable items?

Yellow Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended action after direct contact with blood or body fluids?

Perform hand washing immediately Signup and view all the answers

Which item must never be recapped according to safety guidelines?

Used needles Signup and view all the answers

What is an essential practice to prevent injuries with sharp devices?

Use a one-handed 'scoop' method Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following types of waste is not classified as infectious waste?

Chemical waste Signup and view all the answers

What procedure should be followed before reusing equipment on another patient?

Clean and reprocess the equipment Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a mask in a healthcare setting?

To prevent the nurse's respiration from affecting the client Signup and view all the answers

What should be done when a mask becomes moist?

It should be discarded Signup and view all the answers

How often should a mask be changed during use?

Every hour Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason for wearing a gown in a healthcare setting?

To keep clothes clean during contact Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended method for picking up and removing a used mask?

Holding it by the ties Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical consideration when applying gloves?

They should fit snugly but not too tightly Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a sterile gown in an operating room?

To minimize shedding of microorganisms from the skin Signup and view all the answers

Why should talking be minimized while wearing a mask?

It reduces respiratory air flow Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Infection

An invasion and multiplication of microorganisms in the body that causes harm.

Infection Agents

Bacteria: Single-celled organisms that can cause a variety of diseases.
Viruses: Tiny particles that can only replicate inside the cells of living organisms.
Fungi: Microscopic organisms that can cause infections such as athlete's foot and ringworm.
Protozoa: Single-celled organisms that can cause diseases like malaria and amoebic dysentery.

Concept of Asepsis

Absence of disease-producing microorganisms (pathogens).

Types of Asepsis

Medical Asepsis: Clean technique, reducing pathogens but not eliminating them, used in daily practices.
Surgical Asepsis: Sterile technique, eliminating all microorganisms from an object or area, used in procedures that involve penetrating the skin or entering sterile body cavities.

Indications for Using Sterile Technique

Procedures that involve intentional perforation of the client's skin.
Situations where the skin's integrity is broken due to trauma, surgical incision, or burns.
Procedures involving insertion of catheters or surgical instruments into sterile body cavities.

Principles of Surgical Asepsis

Sterile objects remain sterile only when touched by another sterile object:
- Sterile touching sterile remains sterile.
- Sterile touching clean becomes contaminated.
- Sterile touching contaminated becomes contaminated.
Only sterile objects may be placed on a sterile field: All items must be properly sterilized before use.
A sterile object or field out of the range of vision or below waist level is contaminated: Keep sterile objects in clear view and above the waist.
A sterile object or field becomes contaminated by prolonged exposure to air: Minimize air movement and rearrangements of sterile objects.
A sterile surface comes in contact with a wet, non-sterile surface: Moisture can transfer microorganisms.
Fluid flow in the direction of gravity: Contaminated liquids can flow onto sterile surfaces.
The edges of a sterile field or container are considered contaminated: A 1-inch border around a sterile field is considered non-sterile.

Terminologies

Sepsis: Presence of infection.
Septicemia: Blood poisoning, a serious condition with infection in the bloodstream.
Carrier: A person who harbors a pathogen but shows no symptoms of the disease.
Contact: Transmission of microorganisms through direct or indirect contact.

Types of Pathogens

Resident pathogens: Microorganisms that normally live on a person's skin and are not easily removed by handwashing.
Transient pathogens (flora or bacteria): Microorganisms that are picked up from the environment and can be removed by handwashing.

Reservior

Any person, animal, plant, substance, or object that can harbor infectious agents.

Sterilization

The complete destruction of all microorganisms, including spores, using methods such as heat, radiation, or chemicals.

Disinfection

The process of destroying or inactivating pathogens from inanimate objects, but not necessarily their spores.

Disinfectant

A chemical substance that destroys pathogens on inanimate objects.

Antiseptic

A chemical substance that destroys pathogens on living tissue.

Bactericidal

A substance that kills bacteria.

Bacteriostatic

A substance that inhibits the growth of bacteria.

Contamination

The process of rendering something unclean or unsterile.

Communicable Disease

A disease that can be transmitted from one person to another.

Infectious Disease

A disease caused by the invasion and multiplication of microorganisms in a host.

Pathogenicity

The ability of a microorganism to cause disease.

Virulence

The vigor with which an organism can grow and multiply.

Nosocomial Infections

Infections acquired in a healthcare setting.

Iatrogenic Infection

Infections that are a result of medical treatment or procedures.

Types of Nosocomial Infections

Exogenous infection: Infection acquired from microorganisms outside the body.
Endogenous infection: Infection acquired from microorganisms already present in the body.

Isolation

Separation of persons with communicable diseases from others to prevent transmission.

Isolation Techniques

Practices used to prevent or limit the spread of infection.

Etiology

The cause of a disease.

Stages of Infectious Process (Course of Infection by Stage)

Incubation period: Time between the pathogen entering the body and the appearance of symptoms.
Prodromal period: Time when nonspecific symptoms appear, indicating the onset of the infection.
Illness Period: Time when specific symptoms of the infection appear.
Convalescent period: Time when the body recovers from the infection.

Sterilization

The complete destruction of all microorganisms, including spores.
Items introduced into sterile tissues or the vascular system must be sterile, including surgical instruments, catheters, IV fluids, needles, etc.

Factors to be Considered in the Selection of Sterilization or Disinfection Method

Nature of organisms present.
Number of organisms present.
Types of equipment.
Intended use of equipment:
- Medical asepsis: Clean technique.
- Surgical asepsis: Sterile Technique.
Available means of sterilization and disinfection.

Methods of Sterilization

Steam sterilization (steam under pressure): Most dependable and practical method for destroying all forms of microbial life.
- Autoclaving is sterilization using super-saturated steam under pressure.
- It is non-toxic, inexpensive, sporicidal, and penetrates fabrics rapidly.
- Check the color indicator and packaging integrity.
Boiling Water: Advantage is inexpensive and simple. Disadvantages are that it does not kill all spores and some materials can be damaged by prolonged boiling.
Gas sterilization: Uses ethylene oxide gas that can penetrate plastics, rubber, cotton, and other substances.
- This method is expensive, requires a long time (2-5 hours), and the gas is toxic to humans.
- Articles must be aerated after sterilization to remove the gas.
Dry heat: Works by burning microorganisms using high temperatures.
- Used for objects that are damaged by moisture, such as glassware and metal instruments.
- Has lower penetration ability than moist heat and requires higher temperatures and longer times.
Radiation: Uses radiation to sterilize objects.
- Types include gamma radiation and electron beam radiation.
- Used for pharmaceuticals, foods, plastics, and other heat-sensitive items.
Chemicals: Used for disinfecting surfaces, but not all can be used on living tissue.
- The most commonly used chemicals include chlorine, alcohol, and iodine.

Types of Disinfection

Concurrent disinfection: Ongoing practices performed in the care of a client to limit the spread of microorganisms.
- This includes disinfecting supplies and the immediate environment.
Terminal disinfection: Done after a client is discharged to ensure their environment is free of pathogens.

Breaking the Chain of Infection

Use of Barriers: Techniques that prevent the transfer of pathogens from one person to another.
- Commonly used barriers include masks, gloves, gowns, caps, shoe coverings, private rooms, and waterproof disposable bags.
- Mask: Protects the nurse/midwife from inhaling microorganisms from a client's respiratory tract.
- Gloves: Protect hands from acquiring infectious organisms.
- Gown: Prevents soiling clothes during contact with the client.
- Private room: Decreases the chance of transmission of infection.

Categories of Institutional Waste

Infectious waste: Includes blood, body fluids, and contaminated items.
Injurious waste: Includes sharps and other objects that can cause injury.
Hazardous waste: Includes chemicals, radioactive materials, and other substances that pose a risk to health or the environment.

Recommendation for Waste Disposal

Incineration or autoclaving: Most common methods for infectious waste.
Liquid body fluids: Can be flushed down a drain connected to a sewer system.
Separate containers: Blood, contaminated items, and sharps should be disposed of in separate containers.

Color Code of Segregation

Black: Trashcan for wet, biodegradable items.
Yellow: Trashcan for non-biodegradable/recyclable items.

Breaking the Chain of Infection: Isolation System

Techniques used to prevent or limit the spread of infection.
Includes standard precautions, transmission-based precautions, and protective isolation.

Standard Precautions

Wear clean gloves when touching: Blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, or contaminated items.
Perform handwashing: Immediately after contact with blood or body fluids, between patient contacts, and after removing gloves.
Wear a mask, eye protection, and face shield: During procedures or activities likely to generate splashes or sprays of blood, body fluids, secretions, or excretions.
Wear a gown: During procedures or activities that could result in contact with blood, body fluids, secretions, or excretions.
Remove soiled protective items promptly: When the potential for contact with reservoirs of pathogens is no longer present.
Clean and reprocess all equipment before reuse: To prevent transmission of infection.
Discard single-use items promptly: In appropriate containers to prevent contact with blood.

Prevention of Needle Stick Injuries

Never recap, bend, or break used needles.
Never point the needle toward a body part.
Use a one-handed "scoop" method to recap needles.
Deposit disposable and reusable syringes and needles in puncture-resistant containers.

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Description

This quiz covers the basics of infection, various infectious agents including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa, as well as the concept and types of asepsis. Learn about medical and surgical asepsis, and their applications in healthcare settings. Test your understanding of these crucial concepts in infection control.