Infection Control Concepts

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Questions and Answers

Match the components of the infection cycle with their descriptions:

Infectious agent = Bacteria, viruses, fungi Reservoir = Natural habitat of the organism Portal of exit = Point of escape for the organism Means of transmission = Direct contact, indirect contact, airborne route Portal of entry = Point at which organisms enter a new host Susceptible host = Must overcome resistance mounted by host's defenses

Which of the following is the most significant and commonly found infection-causing agent in healthcare institutions?

Mold

Fungi

Viruses

Bacteria (correct)

What are the classification types of bacteria?

Spherical (cocci), rod-shaped (bacilli), corkscrew-shaped (spirochetes), gram positive or gram negative.

What factors affect an organism's potential to produce disease?

Number of organisms, virulence, immunity of the person's immune system, length, and intimacy of contact. Signup and view all the answers

Which infection or disease may be spread by touching a contaminated inanimate article?

Influenza Signup and view all the answers

What are the common portals of exit for infections?

Respiratory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, breaks in skin, blood, and tissue. Signup and view all the answers

What are the cardinal signs of acute infection?

Redness, heat, swelling, pain, loss of function. Signup and view all the answers

A ______ infection occurs in a patient in a hospital or healthcare setting in whom it was not present or incubating at the time of admission.

healthcare associated infection (HAI) Signup and view all the answers

Soaps and detergents (nonantimicrobial agents) are considered adequate for routine mechanical cleansing of the hands and removal of most transient microorganisms.

True Signup and view all the answers

Standard precautions should be used when caring for a noninfectious, postoperative patient who is vomiting blood.

True Signup and view all the answers

During which stage of infection is the patient most contagious?

Prodromal stage Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?

To protect employees from infectious material. Signup and view all the answers

What are the four categories responsible for the majority of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs)?

Urinary tract infections, surgical site infections, bloodstream infections, pneumonia. Signup and view all the answers

What does medical asepsis involve?

Practices used to remove or destroy pathogens and to prevent their spread. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of virulence?

The ability to produce a disease. Signup and view all the answers

Describe endogenous infections.

Infections that originate within the body. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of hand hygiene in infection control?

To prevent the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms. Signup and view all the answers

Define pathogen.

Disease-producing microorganisms. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Infection Cycle

Components: Infectious agent (bacteria, viruses, fungi), reservoir (natural habitat), portal of exit (escape point), means of transmission (contact, airborne), portal of entry (entry point), susceptible host (overcomes host defenses).

Types of Infectious Agents

Bacteria: Most common in healthcare settings, significant for infections.
Virus: Smallest microorganisms, require electron microscope for visualization.
Fungi: Plant-like organisms, found in various environments (air, soil, water).

Classification of Bacteria

Shapes: Spherical (cocci), rod-shaped (bacilli), corkscrew (spirochetes).
Gram Staining: Categorized as gram-positive or gram-negative.
Oxygen Requirement: Divided into aerobic (requires oxygen) and anaerobic (does not require oxygen).

Infection Factors

Disease Potential: Influenced by organism number, virulence, immune competence, and contact length/intimacy.

Reservoirs for Microorganisms

Common reservoirs include other people, animals, soil, food, water, and inanimate objects.

Transmission of Infections

Contaminated Articles: Influenza can be spread by touching contaminated inanimate objects.

Stages of Infection

Incubation Period: Organisms grow and multiply.
Prodromal Stage: Patient is most infectious, displaying vague symptoms.
Full Illness Stage: Manifestation of specific disease signs and symptoms.
Convalescent Period: Recovery phase.

Portals of Exit

Common routes include respiratory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, skin breaks, and blood/tissue.

Host Susceptibility Factors

Influencing factors: intact skin and mucous membranes, normal pH levels, immune system status, age, sex, race, immunization history, health status, and use of medical devices.

Infection Control Practices

Emphasize effective hand hygiene, recognition of infection signs, adequate nutrition, proper disposal of soiled items, cleaning techniques, awareness of immunization, and stress reduction.

Cardinal Signs of Infection

Key indicators: redness, heat, swelling, pain, loss of function.

Laboratory Indicators of Infection

Elevated white blood cell count (normal: 5,000-10,000/mm³), specific white blood cell increases, raised erythrocyte sedimentation rates, pathogen presence in cultures.

Hand Hygiene Moments (WHO)

Five key moments: Before patient contact, before aseptic procedures, after body fluid risk, after patient contact, after touching surroundings.

Types of Bacterial Flora

Transient Flora: Loosely attached, easily removed.
Resident Flora: Found in skin creases, requires friction to remove.

Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs)

Four major categories: urinary tract infections, surgical site infections, bloodstream infections, pneumonia.

Risk Factors for VRE

Includes compromised immune systems, recent surgeries, presence of catheters, prolonged antibiotic use, and lengthy hospital stays.

C. difficile Infection Prevention

Recommendations include cautious antibiotic prescribing, contact precautions, effective hand hygiene, and thorough cleaning using bleach.

Measures to Reduce Nosocomial Infections

Strategies: ongoing surveillance, clear infection-prevention guidelines, hand hygiene practices, and maintaining optimal patient health conditions.

Body’s Defenses Against Infection

Natural Defenses: Normal flora, inflammatory response, and immune response.

Sterilization and Disinfection Considerations

Factors include organism nature, quantity, equipment type, intended use, available methods, and duration.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Key items: gloves, gowns, masks, protective eyewear.

Standard Precautions

Applicable to all hospitalized patients, covering blood, bodily fluids, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes; now includes respiratory hygiene practices.

Aseptic Techniques

Methods to prevent infection; includes medical asepsis (clean technique) and surgical asepsis (sterile technique).

Patient Home Teaching

Emphasizes hand washing, food preparation, safe food storage, and personal hygiene.

Key Definitions

Asepsis: Absence of disease-causing microorganisms.
Antibody/Antigen: Immune response components.
Infection: Disease caused by pathogenic microorganisms.
Vector: Non-human carriers (e.g., mosquitoes) transmitting organisms.

Infection Stages

Most contagious during the Prodromal Stage without patient awareness of the contamination.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the components of the infection cycle with this quiz. Learn about infectious agents, reservoirs, portals of exit and entry, and how transmission occurs. Perfect for healthcare students or anyone interested in infection control.