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?
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?
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Which infection or disease may be spread by touching a contaminated inanimate article?
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What are the common portals of exit for infections?
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What are the cardinal signs of acute infection?
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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.
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Soaps and detergents (nonantimicrobial agents) are considered adequate for routine mechanical cleansing of the hands and removal of most transient microorganisms.
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Standard precautions should be used when caring for a noninfectious, postoperative patient who is vomiting blood.
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During which stage of infection is the patient most contagious?
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What is the purpose of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?
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What are the four categories responsible for the majority of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs)?
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What does medical asepsis involve?
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What is the definition of virulence?
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Describe endogenous infections.
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What is the role of hand hygiene in infection control?
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Define pathogen.
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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.
