Infection Control and Defense Mechanisms

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following factors most significantly impairs the respiratory tract's defense mechanism against infection?

Exposure to cold temperatures
Increased humidity levels
Smoking (correct)
Increased air flow

The acidity of gastric secretions in the gastrointestinal tract is a defense mechanism against infection.

True (A)

What physiological process in the urinary tract serves as a defense mechanism by washing away microorganisms?

urine flow

The enzyme _________ found in saliva acts as a microbial inhibitor, contributing to the mouth's defense against infection.

lysozyme Signup and view all the answers

Match the defense mechanism with the factor that could alter it and potentially increase the risk of infection:

Skin Integrity = Puncture Wounds Normal Vaginal Flora = Excessive Douching Urinary Tract Flushing = Urinary Catheter Placement Respiratory Tract Cilia = Smoking Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios best exemplifies the concept of a fomite in the chain of infection?

A healthcare worker's stethoscope harboring bacteria after examining a patient with pneumonia. (B) Signup and view all the answers

The primary distinction between medical and surgical asepsis lies solely in the types of microorganisms targeted, with medical asepsis focusing on non-pathogenic organisms and surgical asepsis targeting pathogenic organisms exclusively.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Describe how the overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics might compromise the body's normal defenses against infection, and explain the potential consequences of this disruption.

Overuse can disrupt the balance of normal flora, potentially leading to opportunistic infections or antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of infection control, the term ______ refers to a person or animal that harbors an infectious organism without displaying symptoms of the disease, yet is capable of transmitting the organism to others.

carrier Signup and view all the answers

Match each term related to infection control with its most accurate description:

Virulence = The degree of pathogenicity or the disease-evoking power of an infectious agent. Sterilization = A process that eliminates all forms of microbial life, including spores. Reservoir = A place where a pathogen can survive and may or may not multiply. Exogenous Infection = Infection that arises from microorganisms external to the individual that do not normally inhabit the body. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios poses the highest risk of facilitating the entry of Staphylococcus aureus into a patient, potentially leading to a wound infection?

Changing a wound dressing using clean gloves instead of sterile gloves, on a patient with a surgical incision. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Based on the provided information, Hepatitis B, C, D, and G are primarily transmitted through the fecal-oral route, similar to Hepatitis A and E.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Explain why infections caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis are particularly concerning in healthcare settings where intravenous lines are frequently used.

Staphylococcus epidermidis resides on the skin and can enter the bloodstream through IV line insertions, leading to bacteremia, endocarditis, or IV line infections. Signup and view all the answers

A patient presents with symptoms of pneumonia following exposure to bird feces. Based on the table, the most likely causative agent is a species of ________.

Cryptococcus Signup and view all the answers

Match each organism with the infection or disease most specifically associated with it:

Rickettsia rickettsii = Rocky Mountain spotted fever Plasmodium falciparum = Malaria Varicella zoster virus = Chickenpox/Shingles Neisseria gonorrhoeae = Gonorrhea Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements BEST explains the significance of identifying the reservoir of a specific pathogen in healthcare settings?

Understanding the reservoir is crucial for implementing targeted infection control measures to prevent transmission. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why are viruses able to bypass laboratory filters that trap bacteria?

Viruses are significantly smaller than bacteria, enabling them to pass through the filter pores. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Antiviral medications are generally effective against a broad spectrum of viral infections due to their ability to target common viral processes.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Explain how the development of the electron microscope advanced the study of viruses.

The electron microscope allowed scientists to visualize the structure and function of viruses in greater detail, advancing the understanding of viral morphology and replication mechanisms. Signup and view all the answers

Viruses are not complete cells; they are composed of either RNA or DNA with a ______ coat around a nucleic acid core.

protein Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason coronaviruses, such as COVID-19, led to significant changes in healthcare practices?

Coronaviruses are highly contagious and can cause severe respiratory illness, leading to widespread outbreaks. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic of bacterial spores contributes most significantly to their survival in adverse conditions?

Their resistance to heat and disinfectants, which protects them from destruction. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Gram-positive bacteria are identified by their ability to resist staining due to their thick cell walls.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of bacterial flagella?

motility Signup and view all the answers

Bacteria that require oxygen for survival are classified as ______.

aerobic Signup and view all the answers

Match the bacterial characteristic with its function or description:

Spore Formation = Survival in unfavorable conditions Capsule = Protection against antibiotics Flagella = Cellular movement Gram Staining = Differentiation of bacteria types Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to perform a bacterial sensitivity test before prescribing antibiotics?

To identify antibiotics that will effectively inhibit the growth of the bacteria. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Antibiotic resistance, conferred by capsule formation, ensures that bacteria are completely immune to any antibiotic treatment.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of staining bacteria samples in a lab?

Identifying characteristics Signup and view all the answers

Bacteria that do not require oxygen for survival are classified as ______.

anaerobic Signup and view all the answers

In the context of bacterial morphology, what distinguishes spirilla from other bacterial shapes?

Their tightly coiled, spiral structure. (B) Signup and view all the answers

During which stage of an infectious process is the patient most likely to transmit the disease due to the presence of specific signs and symptoms?

Acute Stage (C) Signup and view all the answers

Localized infections, by definition, do not pose a significant risk of fatality compared to systemic infections.

True (A) Signup and view all the answers

Name three common signs of localized inflammation in response to an infection.

Edema, Rubor, Heat Signup and view all the answers

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) were previously known as ______ infections.

nosocomial Signup and view all the answers

Match the stage of infection with its description:

Incubation Period = Interval between pathogen entry and symptom appearance Prodromal Stage = Nonspecific signs and symptoms begin Acute Stage = Specific signs and symptoms of the infection manifest Convalescence = Acute symptoms disappear; recovery begins Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of the inflammatory response in the human body?

To deliver fluid, blood products, and nutrients to injured tissues, neutralizing pathogens and repairing cells. (D) Signup and view all the answers

The incubation period of an infection is always non-infectious, meaning a person cannot spread the disease during this time.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Besides antimicrobial agents, list three supportive therapies nurses should consider for a patient battling an infection.

Nutrition, Rest, Monitoring Vital Signs Signup and view all the answers

A patient is experiencing leukocytosis, malaise, anorexia, and enlarged lymph nodes. These findings are most indicative of which condition?

Systemic inflammation (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to the CDC, approximately 1 in ______ hospitalized patients experience healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).

31 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors contribute to a patient's increased susceptibility to infection?

Conditions like asthma and COPD that compromise respiratory function. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Surgical asepsis aims to inhibit the growth and transmission of microorganisms, but does not eliminate them completely.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Besides the operating room, where else should surgical asepsis be applied?

invasive procedures and wound care Signup and view all the answers

In the chain of infection, the ______ from the reservoir refers to how the pathogen moves from one place to another.

mode of transmission Signup and view all the answers

Which intervention most effectively targets and disrupts the 'mode of transmission' link in the chain of infection?

Implementing rigorous hand hygiene practices among healthcare providers. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Compromised skin, mucous lining, and the inhalation route each allow infectious agents to bypass the host's defenses and initiate an infection.

True (A) Signup and view all the answers

Name three things that can serve as reservoirs for pathogen growth.

unwashed hands, wound drainage, decaying teeth Signup and view all the answers

Match the infection control term with its corresponding description:

Infectious Agent = Pathogenic microorganism like bacteria or virus Reservoir = Place where a pathogen can survive and multiply Portal of Exit = How a pathogen leaves the reservoir Susceptible Host = Individual at risk of developing an infection Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Medical asepsis

Techniques used to reduce and prevent the spread of microorganisms.

Surgical asepsis

Techniques to eliminate all microorganisms from an area or object.

Chain of infection

The process by which infections are transmitted, involving a pathogen, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host.

Standard precautions

A set of practices used to prevent transmission of diseases that can be acquired by contact with blood, body fluids, or non-intact skin.