Infection and Inflammation Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is one of the primary chemicals released by mast cells that contributes to swelling during an inflammatory response?

Interleukins

Leukotrienes

Cytokines

Histamine (correct)

Which stage of infection is characterized by the period when general symptoms appear before specific symptoms?

Prodromal (correct)

Convalescence

Incubation

Acute illness

Which manifestation is NOT typically associated with inflammation?

Redness

Cough (correct)

Swelling

Heat

What type of infections start locally and can spread to the bloodstream?

Systemic infections Signup and view all the answers

Which class of medications is primarily used to block the effects of histamine?

Antihistamines Signup and view all the answers

What defines direct contact transmission of microorganisms?

Microorganisms are directly moved from one infected person to another. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of indirect contact transmission?

Touching a contaminated surface before eating. Signup and view all the answers

What is a portal of entry for an infectious agent?

Any body orifice or the skin where infection can occur. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a susceptible host in relation to infectious agents?

A person with low immunity who can become a reservoir for infection. Signup and view all the answers

What affects whether a person gets sick after exposure to an infectious agent?

The virulence of the infectious agent and the host's level of immunity. Signup and view all the answers

What does medical asepsis primarily focus on?

Reduction of disease-causing microorganisms Signup and view all the answers

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

Handwashing with soap and water Signup and view all the answers

Which condition best describes the purpose of hand hygiene?

Reducing the number of pathogenic microorganisms Signup and view all the answers

Which test is commonly included in diagnostic tests for infections?

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines surgical asepsis?

Eliminating all microorganisms from an area Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does NOT affect host susceptibility?

Physical activity Signup and view all the answers

What is considered the first line of defense in the body's immune system?

Skin Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes specific immunity?

It relies on antibodies from B and T lymphocytes. Signup and view all the answers

What role do phagocytes like neutrophils and macrophages serve in the body?

Phagocytize microorganisms Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of physical or chemical barrier?

Inflammation Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is associated with a decreased immune response?

HIV/AIDS Signup and view all the answers

How do antibodies function in the immune response?

They signal white blood cells to destroy pathogens. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of nonspecific immunity?

Specificity for certain pathogens Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a sterile field in surgical procedures?

To keep micro-organisms to the smallest possible amount Signup and view all the answers

Which method is preferred for hand hygiene when hands are not visibly soiled?

Alcohol-based hand sanitizer Signup and view all the answers

What kind of micro-organisms does high-level disinfection eliminate?

Most types except for some spores Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following actions is NOT recommended regarding sterile fields?

Reaching across a sterile field Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of standard precautions in healthcare settings?

To prevent the spread of infections to healthcare workers Signup and view all the answers

What type of personal protective equipment (PPE) is required for droplet precautions?

Surgical mask Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a major healthcare-associated infection (HAI)?

Pulmonary Infections Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a requirement for airborne precautions?

Private room with door closed Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of using gloves when caring for clients?

To avoid contamination between clients Signup and view all the answers

When must personal protective equipment (PPE) be removed according to contact precautions?

Before exiting the client area Signup and view all the answers

What is an essential practice in the protective environment for immunocompromised clients?

Ensuring positive airflow Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a recommended practice if splashing is expected during patient care?

Wear full PPE Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum distance required between clients when cohorting under droplet precautions?

3 feet Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Infection Control and Isolation

Infection control involves a sequence of steps necessary for an infection to occur
This sequence includes the infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host

The Chain of Infection

An infectious agent can be bacteria, fungi, virus, parasite, or prion
A reservoir is the habitat of the infectious agent; it can be animate (a person) or inanimate (soil, food) where the agent lives, grows, and reproduces
A portal of exit is the means by which the infectious agent can leave the reservoir; this can include the respiratory tract, the gastrointestinal tract, blood and body fluids, skin, mucous membranes, and transplacental transfer
Modes of transmission include contact (spread from person to person), droplet (<1 meter), airborne (>1 meter), or vector borne (insects like mosquitoes, ticks, flies), or vehicle (contaminated objects) transmission

Modes of Transmission

Contact: occurs when pathogens are directly transferred between people
Droplet: small liquid particles from the respiratory tract travel short distances and enter a host's mucosa
Airborne: small particles move through the air to another person
Vector-borne: pathogens transmitted by an intermediary organism
Vehicle: Pathogens transmitted by a contaminated object or substance

Direct and Indirect Contact

Direct: pathogens move directly from infected person to another; example Herpes
Indirect: pathogens are transferred by contaminated objects (e.g. Staphylococcus Aureus) or by another person

Portal of Entry

An entry point for the pathogen, which can be any bodily orifice or the skin
Can be the same as portal of exit (e.g., GI tract)

Host Susceptibility

Host susceptibility is affected by age, underlying diseases, HIV/AIDS, malignancy, transplants, medications, surgical procedures, radiation, indwelling devices, and breaks in the skin.
Poor oxygenation, poor nutrition, hygiene, smoking, and living environment can also affect host susceptibility

Body Defenses

Non-specific immunity - the body's first line of defense
Physical and Chemical Barriers: skin, mucous membranes, tears, sweat, urine and cilia, acids and enzymes
Nonspecific Immunity: Phagocytes (neutrophils, macrophages) engulf and destroy invading microorganisms

Specific Immunity

Specific immunity involves antibodies (immunoglobulins) from B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes
This immunity has memory, allowing a faster response to subsequent encounters with the same pathogen

Inflammatory Response

Inflammation is triggered by infectious and non-infectious agents.
Chemicals like histamine, bradykinin, and prostaglandins are released, causing inflammation.
Manifestations of inflammation include heat, redness, swelling, pain, and loss of function.
Treated with medications like antihistamines and NSAIDs.

Stages of Infection

Incubation: time between infection and the first symptoms
Prodromal: time between general symptoms and specific symptoms
Acute illness: obvious and severe manifestations of the infectious disease process
Decline: Manifestations begin to decrease as the disease process is controlled
Convalescence: The client returns to a normal or "new normal" state of health

Local vs Systemic Infections

Local: infection confined to one area of the body
Systemic: infection that spreads through the bloodstream, affecting the entire body

Diagnostic Tests

Diagnostic tests useful in identifying infections include chest x-rays, urine tests, sputum tests, and blood tests, including white blood cell counts (WBC), and specific elements like neutrophils.
These also include tests regarding inflammation such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).

Hand Hygiene

Hand hygiene involves cleansing hands using soap and water or alcohol-based sanitisers, hand rubs, antiseptic handwashes or surgical hand antisepsis.

Medical vs Surgical Asepsis

Medical asepsis (clean technique): focuses on reducing the number of microorganisms; includes practices like hand hygiene, cleaning equipment, using PPE, and cough etiquette.
Surgical asepsis (sterile technique): focuses on eliminating microorganisms; usually practised in operating rooms during surgical procedures.

Sterilization and Disinfection

Sterilization: completely eliminates or destroys all microorganisms
Disinfection: eliminates or kills most, but not all, microorganisms

Standard Precautions

Standard precautions are infection prevention practices used for all patients, regardless of their infectious status
Includes hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks, gloves, gowns, and eye protection, and appropriate handling and disposal of contaminated materials (sharps containers, etc.)

Contact, Droplet, and Airborne Precautions

Contact Precautions: used for infections spread by direct contact
Droplet Precautions: used for infections spread by direct contact with respiratory droplets (coughing/sneezing)
Airborne precautions: used for infections spread by small particles that remain suspended in the air.

Health Care-Associated Infections (HAIs)

HAIs are infections acquired in a healthcare setting during a patient stay
The four major types of HAIs are central line-associated bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, surgical site infections, and ventilator-assisted pneumonias.
Prevention strategies include infection control bundles, protocols to minimize risk of infection, and increased attention to prevent transmission.
Multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs) are infections that are resistant to several types of antibiotics

Needlestick Injury Prevention

Use safety needles as these prevent needle sticks.
Understand how safety needles work and safety mechanisms.
Engage safety devices promptly after use.
Use sharps containers appropriately for disposal to prevent needle stick injuries
Needleless systems should be preferred whenever available

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Description

Test your knowledge on the concepts of infection, inflammation, and the body's response mechanisms. This quiz covers key terms, medication classes, transmission methods, and aseptic techniques essential for understanding infectious diseases. Perfect for medical students or healthcare professionals.