Infection control and prevention

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates how a compromised defense mechanism in the respiratory tract can increase susceptibility to infection?

A patient with a urinary catheter experiencing a continuous flow obstruction, which reduces the flushing action and promotes microbial colonization in the urinary tract.
A patient who smokes, leading to impaired ciliary action in the upper airway and increased risk of respiratory infections. (correct)
A patient undergoing excessive bathing, which disrupts the normal flora of the skin and increases the risk of skin infections.
A patient using antacids regularly, leading to increased gastric pH and subsequent bacterial overgrowth in the gastrointestinal tract.

The constant, normal shedding of the outer layer of skin cells is a defense mechanism against infection because it removes microorganisms from the skin's surface.

True (A)

Which scenario poses the most significant challenge in maintaining asepsis and preventing infection in a healthcare setting?

A healthcare worker who occasionally forgets to sanitize their hands after removing gloves.
The increasing prevalence of drug-resistant microorganisms in both healthcare facilities and the community. (correct)
A patient with a localized skin infection who consistently adheres to hygiene protocols.
A visitor who brings outside food into a patient's room but avoids direct contact with the patient.

In the gastrointestinal tract, the ______ of gastric secretions acts as a defense mechanism against infection.

acidity Signup and view all the answers

Implementing infection prevention measures solely in healthcare facilities is sufficient to control the spread of transmissible infections effectively.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Explain how the concept of asepsis, pioneered by Joseph Lister, revolutionized healthcare practices and significantly impacted patient outcomes.

Asepsis reduced morbidity and mortality from infection. Signup and view all the answers

How does the placement of a urinary catheter increase the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs)?

By bypassing the natural flushing action of urine flow, allowing microorganisms to ascend into the bladder. (A) Signup and view all the answers

While many microorganisms are harmless and do not cause disease, they can lead to severe illness in individuals who are highly ______ to infection.

susceptible Signup and view all the answers

Describe how antibiotics can disrupt the normal flora in the vagina and what effect this disruption has on the susceptibility to infection.

Antibiotics can kill beneficial bacteria, leading to an elevated vaginal pH. This change causes the body to be far more susceptible to infection. Signup and view all the answers

Match the term with the phrase:

Health care-associated infection = Infection acquired within a healthcare setting. Virulent = Highly infectious or poisonous. Fomite = An inanimate that can transmit infectious agents. Reservoir = A place where microorganisms survive, multiply, and await transfer. Signup and view all the answers

Which structural adaptation in bacteria primarily contributes to their increased resistance to antibiotics?

Capsule formation (C) Signup and view all the answers

Gram-positive bacteria are identified by their ability to retain color after a solvent is applied during the staining process.

True (A) 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 description:

Spores = Resistant structures formed under unfavorable conditions Flagella = Hair-like projections used for motility Capsule = Protective layer enhancing drug resistance Spirilla = Bacteria with a tightly coiled shape Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of performing a bacterial sensitivity test?

To determine which antibiotics can inhibit the bacteria's growth (A) Signup and view all the answers

Anaerobic bacteria thrive in oxygen-rich environments.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

How do bacteria benefit from forming spores?

Survival in harsh conditions Signup and view all the answers

The wiggling motion of the entire cell body is characteristic of what type of bacteria? ______

Spirilla Signup and view all the answers

Why are additional staining methods required for bacteria with flagella, spores, or capsules?

To better visualize these structures, as Gram staining may not adequately highlight them (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios poses the greatest risk for transmitting Escherichia coli serotype O157:H7 and potentially causing hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS)?

Consumption of undercooked ground beef from a contaminated source, followed by inadequate hand hygiene before preparing a salad. (D) Signup and view all the answers

According to the table, Staphylococcus epidermidis primarily resides in the lungs and commonly causes tuberculosis infection.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

A patient develops pneumonia-like illness and meningoencephalitis. Based on the table, what is the most likely source of the infectious agent that is causing this patient's condition, assuming they have had contact with birds?

Bird feces Signup and view all the answers

According to the table, the primary reservoir for Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the ______, rectum, mouth, and eye.

genitourinary tract Signup and view all the answers

Match the following organisms with the infections/diseases they are MOST likely to cause:

β-Hemolytic group A streptococci = Strep throat, rheumatic fever, scarlet fever, impetigo Plasmodium falciparum = Malaria Varicella zoster virus = Varicella (chickenpox) primary infection, herpes zoster (shingles) reactivation Bacillus anthracis = Cutaneous anthrax, Inhalation anthrax, Gastrointestinal anthrax Signup and view all the answers

A nurse is caring for a patient with a known Staphylococcus aureus wound infection. Which action demonstrates the MOST comprehensive approach to preventing the spread of this pathogen to other patients?

Consistently performing hand hygiene, using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and following proper wound care techniques. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which advancement significantly enhanced the understanding of viral structure and function in 1941?

Electron microscope (A) Signup and view all the answers

Viruses are effectively treated with antibiotics due to their cellular structure.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

What are the primary components of a virus?

RNA or DNA with a protein coat Signup and view all the answers

Viruses gain entry into the body through various routes, including respiratory pathways, gastrointestinal tracts, broken skin, or via vectors such as a mosquito bite or ________.

needlestick Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on healthcare practices?

Significant changes in mask wearing, distancing, and handwashing protocols (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors least affects a patient's susceptibility to infection in a healthcare setting?

The number of healthcare personnel the patient interacts with daily. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Surgical asepsis aims to inhibit the growth and transmission of microorganisms, focusing on maintaining cleanliness rather than eliminating all microbial life.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

In the chain of infection, what is the primary difference between a reservoir and a portal of exit?

A reservoir serves as a place where pathogens can live and grow, whereas a portal of exit is how the pathogen leaves the reservoir. Signup and view all the answers

The use of _______ is a crucial component of medical asepsis in preventing the spread of infection in healthcare settings.

hand hygiene Signup and view all the answers

Match the following scenarios with the appropriate type of aseptic technique:

Inserting a urinary catheter in a patient = Surgical asepsis Performing routine handwashing after patient contact = Medical asepsis Changing a patient's bed linens = Medical asepsis Preparing and administering an intravenous medication = Surgical asepsis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios represents the most direct application of interrupting the 'mode of transmission' in the chain of infection?

Disposing of contaminated sharps in a puncture-resistant container. (A) Signup and view all the answers

A patient with open skin wounds is automatically considered to be at a decreased risk of infection because the wound allows for the release of harmful pathogens from the body.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does understanding the chain of infection assist healthcare providers in preventing the spread of infectious diseases?

By understanding the chain of infection, healthcare providers can implement targeted interventions at each step to prevent transmission and protect vulnerable populations. Signup and view all the answers

During which stage of the infectious process is a patient most likely to transmit the infection to others, even before they recognize they are ill?

Incubation Period (D) Signup and view all the answers

A localized infection, by definition, affects the entire body and presents a lower risk of fatality compared to a systemic infection.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

List four key responsibilities of a nurse in managing a patient with an infection, beyond simply administering medications.

Ongoing monitoring, assessment of vital signs, obtaining relevant lab studies, providing supportive therapies, and preventing spread of infection. Signup and view all the answers

____________ is/are the body's cellular response to injury or infection, characterized by edema, rubor, and heat.

Inflammation Signup and view all the answers

Match the stage of infection with its description:

Incubation Period = Time between pathogen entry and symptom appearance. Prodromal Stage = Nonspecific signs and symptoms begin to appear. Acute Stage = Specific signs and symptoms of the infection are present. Convalescence = Acute symptoms disappear, and recovery begins. Signup and view all the answers

A patient reports experiencing malaise, low-grade fever, and fatigue. According to the stages of infection, which stage is the patient most likely in?

Prodromal Stage (C) Signup and view all the answers

Health care-associated infections (HAIs) are exclusively caused by inadequate hand hygiene practices among healthcare workers.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Describe how a nurse's actions during dressing changes can influence the spread of infection during a localized skin infection.

Using proper technique during dressing changes prevents spreading of wound infections to incisions, this is because it contains the infection. Signup and view all the answers

The inflammatory response is triggered by physical agents, chemical agents, and ____________.

Microorganisms Signup and view all the answers

Systemic inflammation often leads to a range of symptoms. Which of the following sets of symptoms is MOST indicative of systemic inflammation?

Fever, leukocytosis, malaise, and lymph node enlargement (C) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Staphylococcus aureus

A bacterium found on skin and hair that can cause wounds, pneumonia, and food poisoning.

β-Hemolytic group A streptococci

Bacteria in the oropharynx and skin causing strep throat, rheumatic fever, and scarlet fever.