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Questions and Answers
Which of the following describes a nosocomial infection?
Which of the following describes a nosocomial infection?
Which factor is least likely to determine the likelihood of an infection occurring?
Which factor is least likely to determine the likelihood of an infection occurring?
What percentage of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) is attributed to urinary tract infections (UTIs)?
What percentage of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) is attributed to urinary tract infections (UTIs)?
Which of the following best differentiates medical asepsis from surgical asepsis?
Which of the following best differentiates medical asepsis from surgical asepsis?
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Which of the following statements about the chain of infection is accurate?
Which of the following statements about the chain of infection is accurate?
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What type of pathogens are classified as opportunistic pathogens?
What type of pathogens are classified as opportunistic pathogens?
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Which of the following is a common concern regarding emerging pathogens?
Which of the following is a common concern regarding emerging pathogens?
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Which nursing intervention is specifically aimed at preventing the transmission of infections?
Which nursing intervention is specifically aimed at preventing the transmission of infections?
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What distinguishes localized infections from systemic infections?
What distinguishes localized infections from systemic infections?
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What role does virulence play in the context of infection?
What role does virulence play in the context of infection?
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Which stage of infection is characterized by early, vague symptoms and is not present in all infections?
Which stage of infection is characterized by early, vague symptoms and is not present in all infections?
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What defines a pandemic disease?
What defines a pandemic disease?
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Which of the following is NOT an example of a multi-drug resistant organism (MDRO)?
Which of the following is NOT an example of a multi-drug resistant organism (MDRO)?
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Which of the following correctly defines the role of phagocytosis in secondary body defenses?
Which of the following correctly defines the role of phagocytosis in secondary body defenses?
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Naturally acquired active immunity develops when a person:
Naturally acquired active immunity develops when a person:
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What factor does NOT contribute to host susceptibility to infections?
What factor does NOT contribute to host susceptibility to infections?
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The process that increases body temperature in response to infection is known as:
The process that increases body temperature in response to infection is known as:
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Which of the following statements about medical asepsis is true?
Which of the following statements about medical asepsis is true?
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Which immunization recommendation contributes most to herd immunity?
Which immunization recommendation contributes most to herd immunity?
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What is the recommended duration for handwashing in a nonsurgical setting?
What is the recommended duration for handwashing in a nonsurgical setting?
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Which of the following factors is NOT commonly needed for pathogens to thrive in human hosts?
Which of the following factors is NOT commonly needed for pathogens to thrive in human hosts?
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What is the primary portal of exit for pathogens in human reservoirs?
What is the primary portal of exit for pathogens in human reservoirs?
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Which mode of transmission does NOT involve direct contact between individuals?
Which mode of transmission does NOT involve direct contact between individuals?
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In terms of infection classification, which type of infection follows another primary infection?
In terms of infection classification, which type of infection follows another primary infection?
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What classification of infections is described as being limited to a specific region of the body?
What classification of infections is described as being limited to a specific region of the body?
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Which statement correctly defines latent infections?
Which statement correctly defines latent infections?
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Which of the following conditions is NOT typically considered a contributing factor to host susceptibility?
Which of the following conditions is NOT typically considered a contributing factor to host susceptibility?
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What stage signifies the time between pathogen invasion and the onset of symptoms?
What stage signifies the time between pathogen invasion and the onset of symptoms?
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Which transmission method does NOT involve pathogens being expelled from the respiratory system?
Which transmission method does NOT involve pathogens being expelled from the respiratory system?
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Which of the following is NOT a typical reservoir for pathogens?
Which of the following is NOT a typical reservoir for pathogens?
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What is the recommended minimum wash time in a surgical setting?
What is the recommended minimum wash time in a surgical setting?
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Which type of soap is indicated for use when hands are visibly dirty?
Which type of soap is indicated for use when hands are visibly dirty?
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What is the primary purpose of disinfecting semi-critical items?
What is the primary purpose of disinfecting semi-critical items?
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In which situation would reverse isolation be necessary?
In which situation would reverse isolation be necessary?
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Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is NOT generally required for routine patient care?
Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is NOT generally required for routine patient care?
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When should disposable needles be discarded?
When should disposable needles be discarded?
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What level of asepsis is achieved with the use of nonsterile gloves and sterile supplies?
What level of asepsis is achieved with the use of nonsterile gloves and sterile supplies?
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What is a key characteristic of a sterile environment in surgical settings?
What is a key characteristic of a sterile environment in surgical settings?
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What should be done with contaminated materials after patient care?
What should be done with contaminated materials after patient care?
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What action is required after removing equipment from a transmission-based isolation room?
What action is required after removing equipment from a transmission-based isolation room?
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Study Notes
Infection Control
- Infection control involves practices to prevent the spread of infections
- Learning outcomes include differentiating the body's natural defenses against infection, identifying factors increasing infection risk, comparing infection stages, and contrasting localized and systemic infections.
- Nurses should know about infection processes to protect patients from healthcare-related infections, meet professional guidelines, protect themselves from diseases, and lower healthcare costs
- Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) account for 1.7 million infections and 99,000 associated deaths annually in US hospitals.
- Common HAIs include urinary tract infections (UTIs), Surgical site infections, pneumonia, and bloodstream infections.
- Clostridium difficile is a common and serious infection
- Common pathogens include Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Enterococci, and Candida.
- Nosocomial infections are acquired in healthcare facilities.
Chain of Infection
- Germs (agent) are bacteria, viruses, and parasites
- Reservoirs are places where germs live (people, animals, food, soil, water)
- Portals of entry are ways germs enter the body (mouth, cuts in skin, eyes)
- Modes of transmission are how germs spread (contact, droplets, airborne)
- Portals of exit are ways germs leave the body (mouth, cuts, bodily fluids)
- Susceptible host are individuals who are at increased risk of developing infections due to compromised defenses (age, weakened immune system, medical conditions, medications).
Infectious Agent
- Normal flora are microorganisms that live on or in the human body without causing harm (transient and resident)
- Pathogens are microorganisms that are capable of causing disease (bacteria, viruses, fungi, opportunistic pathogens).
Factors Determining Infection
- Virulence of the organism (ability to cause disease)
- Ability of the organism to survive in the host
- Number of organisms
- Ability of host defenses to prevent infection
Reservoir
- Reservoir is a place where pathogens survive and multiply
- Common human body, warm moist dark environments
- Carriers don't show symptoms but can pass the disease to others
Portal of Exit
- Pathogens exit through body fluids like blood, mucus, saliva, breast milk, urine, feces, vomit, semen.
- Bodies expel foreign materials.
Mode of Transmission
- Contact is the most frequent mode of transmission (direct or indirect)
- Direct contact is touching, kissing, or sexual contact
- Indirect contact is via fomites.
- Droplet transmission involves water droplets expelled during coughs, sneezing, and talking.
- Airborne transmission involves microorganisms traveling in the air.
- Vector transmission involves transfer by a vector (e.g., insect bites).
Portal of Entry
- Pathogens enter the body through normal or abnormal body openings, mucous membranes.
Stages of Infections
- Incubation stage: time between pathogen invasion and first symptoms (person may be contagious)
- Prodromal stage: early, vague symptoms (e.g., mild throat irritation)
- Illness stage: signs and symptoms appear; may lead to recovery or death (if untreated)
- Stage of decline: pathogen numbers decrease, symptoms fade.
- Convalescence stage: healing phase, duration varies from days to over a year.
Emerging Pathogens & Diseases
- Epidemics are sudden increases in illness and death rates due to specific infection, causing potential health problems
- Pandemics are widespread epidemics that affect multiple countries
Multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs)
- Bacteria that have developed resistance to multiple types of antibiotics.
- Examples include MRSA, VRE, ESBL, and PRSP.
Body's Defenses Against Infection
- Primary Defenses: Skin, respiratory tract, eyes, mouth, GI tract, and GU tract. Mechanisms include tears, saliva, mucus, cilia, acidic pHs, and normal flora.
- Secondary Defenses: Phagocytosis (engulfing pathogens), complement cascade (enhancing immune response), inflammation, fever, increased blood vessel permeability.
- Tertiary Defenses (Adaptive): Active immunity (body produces antibodies), passive immunity (antibodies from another source like mother), specific immune response via immune cells (recognize and destroy pathogens)
Types of Immunity
- Active Immunity (naturally or artificially acquired through response to infection or vaccination).
- Passive Immunity (naturally or artificially acquired through receiving antibodies from another source such as breast milk or an injection).
- Naturally acquired active immunity develops when a person is exposed to an antigen, becomes ill, and recovers
- Naturally acquired passive immunity involves the natural transfer of antibodies from a mother to her infant, through the placenta and breast milk (especially colostrum).
- Artificially acquired active immunity results from vaccination. It requires injection of antigens (dead or live microorganisms, or inactivated toxins)
- Artificially acquired passive immunity involves the injection of antibodies (from an animal or person already immune to the disease).
Host Susceptibility
- Developmental stage, breaks in the first line of defense, and illness or injury.
- Tobacco and substance abuse
- Multiple sexual partners
- Environmental factors
- Chronic diseases, Medications. Invasice nursing procedures.
Nursing History
- Exposure to pathogens, travel, contact with ill individuals, unusual foods, prior illness, medications, stress levels, immune history, and symptoms
Promoting Wellness
- Nutrition to support body's nutritional needs during acute illnesses
- Hygiene for maintaining intact skin, frequent hand washing
- Stress Reduction to correlate stress and diseases
- Rest and Sleep of 6-9 hours per night
- Immunizations including herd immunity
Practicing Medical Asepsis
- Procedures that reduce the risk of infection spread (good hygiene practices such as handwashing, routine cleaning methods, techniques to reduce microbial contamination, and methods of maintaining aseptic environments).
Practicing Surgical Asepsis
- Procedures to create a sterile environment where no live microorganisms are present (using sterile gloves and supplies, and sterile techniques).
Doffing PPE (Removing PPE) and Donning PPE (Putting on PPE). Step-by-step guide
- PPE removal and donning procedures.
- Gloves ,Goggles, Gown, Mask
Preventing Transmission of Pathogens
- Protective Environment in Special Situations for immunosuppressed patients (e.g., Reverse isolation).
- Control of Potentially Contaminated Equipment and Supplies
- Disposing of Used Isolation Supplies
- Sharps Disposal
- Laboratory Specimens.
Practicing Surgical Asepsis
- Levels of asepsis (sterile technique, modified sterile technique, clean technique).
Additional information
- Infection control includes multiple aspects such as hygiene, wound care, food handling, etc
- Specific examples of pathogenic organisms like bacteria, viruses and fungi.
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Description
This quiz covers essential concepts in infection control, including the body's natural defenses, risk factors for infections, and types of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). It is crucial for healthcare professionals to understand these concepts to ensure patient safety and reduce healthcare costs. Test your knowledge on common pathogens and infection prevention strategies.
