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Questions and Answers
Which of the following groups is considered a susceptible host in the chain of infection?
Which of the following groups is considered a susceptible host in the chain of infection?
Identify the mode of transmission that involves the transfer of germs through physical contact.
Identify the mode of transmission that involves the transfer of germs through physical contact.
Which portal of exit would include the release of germs in stool?
Which portal of exit would include the release of germs in stool?
Which of the following agents can contribute to the chain of infection?
Which of the following agents can contribute to the chain of infection?
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In the context of the chain of infection, which of these is NOT a typical reservoir for germs?
In the context of the chain of infection, which of these is NOT a typical reservoir for germs?
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Which of the following is required when caring for a patient with Airborne precautions?
Which of the following is required when caring for a patient with Airborne precautions?
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What type of PPE is necessary when managing patients with Contact precautions?
What type of PPE is necessary when managing patients with Contact precautions?
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Which nursing intervention is common for both Droplet and Airborne precautions?
Which nursing intervention is common for both Droplet and Airborne precautions?
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Which disease is treated under Contact precautions?
Which disease is treated under Contact precautions?
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What is the correct PPE required for a patient diagnosed with Tuberculosis under Airborne precautions?
What is the correct PPE required for a patient diagnosed with Tuberculosis under Airborne precautions?
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Which symptom is characterized by a feeling of general discomfort or unease often associated with systemic infection?
Which symptom is characterized by a feeling of general discomfort or unease often associated with systemic infection?
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Which of the following symptoms would indicate an increase in the body's metabolic activity often seen during a systemic infection?
Which of the following symptoms would indicate an increase in the body's metabolic activity often seen during a systemic infection?
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What is typically elevated in the blood during a systemic infection as a response to the pathogen?
What is typically elevated in the blood during a systemic infection as a response to the pathogen?
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Which symptom signifies a lack of appetite and is often observed in patients with systemic infections?
Which symptom signifies a lack of appetite and is often observed in patients with systemic infections?
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During the initial phase of the body's response to infection, which process involves the immediate narrowing of blood vessels?
During the initial phase of the body's response to infection, which process involves the immediate narrowing of blood vessels?
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Which symptom associated with systemic infection can be described as swelling of the lymph nodes?
Which symptom associated with systemic infection can be described as swelling of the lymph nodes?
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What is the primary purpose of the increased permeability of blood vessels during the vascular response?
What is the primary purpose of the increased permeability of blood vessels during the vascular response?
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What forms a physical barrier to help wall off the infection during the exudate production stage?
What forms a physical barrier to help wall off the infection during the exudate production stage?
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Which process best describes the healing phase where new blood vessels and connective tissue are developed?
Which process best describes the healing phase where new blood vessels and connective tissue are developed?
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In the reparative phase, what is likely to occur if the damage to the cells is extensive?
In the reparative phase, what is likely to occur if the damage to the cells is extensive?
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What term describes infections that originate from the hospital environment or personnel?
What term describes infections that originate from the hospital environment or personnel?
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Which of the following modes of transmission involves the transfer of pathogens through contaminated objects?
Which of the following modes of transmission involves the transfer of pathogens through contaminated objects?
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Which practice is crucial in the prevention of Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs) according to national patient safety goals?
Which practice is crucial in the prevention of Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs) according to national patient safety goals?
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What is the definition of endogenous infections in relation to nosocomial infections?
What is the definition of endogenous infections in relation to nosocomial infections?
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Which method of transmission would most likely involve an insect acting as a carrier for pathogens?
Which method of transmission would most likely involve an insect acting as a carrier for pathogens?
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Which factor significantly decreases the body's immune response due to prolonged secretion?
Which factor significantly decreases the body's immune response due to prolonged secretion?
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What common medical treatment is known to compromise immune function through skin penetration?
What common medical treatment is known to compromise immune function through skin penetration?
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Individuals with which of the following conditions have an increased risk of infections due to altered immune responses?
Individuals with which of the following conditions have an increased risk of infections due to altered immune responses?
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Which demographic group is considered to be at the highest risk for infection due to susceptibility factors?
Which demographic group is considered to be at the highest risk for infection due to susceptibility factors?
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How does nutritional status primarily impact immune response?
How does nutritional status primarily impact immune response?
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Which of the following is NOT typically a sign of infection associated with skin and mucous membranes?
Which of the following is NOT typically a sign of infection associated with skin and mucous membranes?
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What symptom indicates a possible local infection in bodily tissues?
What symptom indicates a possible local infection in bodily tissues?
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Which sign may be the least indicative of an infection when evaluating mucous membrane involvement?
Which sign may be the least indicative of an infection when evaluating mucous membrane involvement?
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Which of the following symptoms is primarily associated with respiratory infections?
Which of the following symptoms is primarily associated with respiratory infections?
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Which of the following signs suggests a local infection more specifically than the others?
Which of the following signs suggests a local infection more specifically than the others?
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Which of the following symptoms is NOT commonly associated with system infection?
Which of the following symptoms is NOT commonly associated with system infection?
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What laboratory result is indicative of an ongoing infection?
What laboratory result is indicative of an ongoing infection?
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In the context of a system infection, which is least likely to be a directly observable symptom?
In the context of a system infection, which is least likely to be a directly observable symptom?
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What common nonspecific symptom might accompany a system infection?
What common nonspecific symptom might accompany a system infection?
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Which of the following lab results is most likely to be abnormal in the presence of an infection?
Which of the following lab results is most likely to be abnormal in the presence of an infection?
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Which of the following interventions is recognized as a key factor in preventing infections by acting as a barrier?
Which of the following interventions is recognized as a key factor in preventing infections by acting as a barrier?
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What role does nutrition play in the context of infection intervention?
What role does nutrition play in the context of infection intervention?
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How does adequate sleep contribute to infection prevention?
How does adequate sleep contribute to infection prevention?
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Which factor is essential in reducing the risk of infection through stress management?
Which factor is essential in reducing the risk of infection through stress management?
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Which intervention has been most effective in reducing the occurrence of infectious diseases?
Which intervention has been most effective in reducing the occurrence of infectious diseases?
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What is the primary goal of medical asepsis?
What is the primary goal of medical asepsis?
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In surgical asepsis, what term is used to describe objects that are free from all microorganisms?
In surgical asepsis, what term is used to describe objects that are free from all microorganisms?
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Which procedure is most likely to require surgical asepsis?
Which procedure is most likely to require surgical asepsis?
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What term is used to indicate objects that may contain microorganisms and pose a risk of infection?
What term is used to indicate objects that may contain microorganisms and pose a risk of infection?
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What is often a consequence of failing to practice surgical asepsis during invasive procedures?
What is often a consequence of failing to practice surgical asepsis during invasive procedures?
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Study Notes
Infection Control Precautions
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Droplet Precautions are used for diseases spread through respiratory droplets, such as pneumonia, pertussis, mumps, and flu.
- PPE: Surgical mask is worn when within 3 feet of the patient.
- Nursing Interventions: Private room for the patient, or cohabit with other patients if the room is available. Encourage patient to stay in room. If patient needs to leave, a surgical mask should be placed on them for the trip.
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Airborne Precautions are used for diseases that are spread through small airborne particles, such as measles, tuberculosis, and COVID-19.
- PPE: N95 respirator is worn when entering the patient's room.
- Nursing Interventions: Negative pressure room for the patient, with the door kept closed. Private room, or cohabit with another patient in rare cases. Susceptible people should not enter the room. The patient should also remain in their room and a surgical mask should be placed on them for testing.
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Contact Precautions are used for infections spread by direct contact with a patient or their environment. Common examples include GI illnesses (C. difficile), wound infections, herpes, impetigo, scabies, and VRE.
- PPE: Gown and gloves are worn when entering and exiting the room.
- Nursing Interventions: Private room for the patient (cohabit with other patients if the room is available). Patient should stay in their room. Dedicated equipment should be used (disposable thermometer, stethoscope, BP cuff). For patients with open wounds, bathing with chlorhexidine gluconate is recommended.
Chain of Infection
- The Chain of Infection describes the process by which infections are transmitted.
- Agent: The infectious microorganism, such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
- Reservoir: Where the agent lives, like people, animals, food, soil, or water.
- Portal of Exit: The way the agent leaves the reservoir, such as through the mouth, open wounds, or during diapering and toileting.
- Mode of Transmission: How the agent is spread, like contact (hands, toys, etc.), droplets (sneezing, coughing), or airborne particles.
- Portal of Entry: The way the agent enters the new host, such as through the mouth, cuts in the skin, or eyes.
- Susceptible Host: Individuals who are at higher risk of infection, like babies, children, the elderly, those with weakened immune systems, or unimmunized people."
The Body's Response to Infection
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The body's response to infection occurs in three stages:
- Vascular & Cellular Responses: This stage involves vasoconstriction, histamine release, and increased blood flow to the infection site.
- Exudate Production: Fluid leaks out of vessels and forms an exudate, creating a barrier against infection.
- Reparative Phase: Injured cells are repaired by regeneration or scar tissue formation.
Systemic Infection
- Signs and Symptoms: Fever, increased pulse and respiratory rate, malaise, anorexia, enlarged lymph nodes, elevated white blood cell count, and possible widespread body aches.
Nosocomial Infections
- Nosocomial infections are infections that are acquired in a hospital.
- Endogenous: Infections originate from the patient themselves.
- Exogenous: Infections originate from the hospital environment or personnel.
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Modes of Transmission:
- Direct: Direct contact with an infected person.
- Indirect: Infection is spread through an intermediate object (vehicle-borne) or vector (animal or insect).
- Airborne: Infection is spread through the air.
Factors Increasing Susceptibility to Infection
- Age: Very young and very old individuals are most susceptible.
- Heredity: Some people may be genetically deficient in immunologic agents.
- Stress: Prolonged stress weakens the immune system.
- Nutritional Status: Adequate protein intake is important for antibodies.
- Current Medical Therapy: Medical treatments like radiation, cancer treatments, procedures that penetrate the skin or body, and certain medications (antibiotics) can increase susceptibility.
- Preexisting Disease Processes: Conditions like diabetes, COPD, cancer, and leukemia can impair the immune system's response to infection.
Physical Assessment for Infection
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Signs and Symptoms (S/S), depending on the site:
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Eyes: Watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, and congestion.
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Skin and Mucous Membranes: Localized redness, swelling, pain, tenderness, palpable heat, loss of function, and drainage.
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Systemic Infection: Fever, increased pulse and respiratory rates, malaise, anorexia, enlarged and tender lymph nodes, and an increase in white blood cells (WBC).
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Lab Results:
- Increased WBC count.
- Increased ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate).
- Positive culture results.
Interventions for Prevention and Treatment
- Hygiene: Intact skin and mucous membranes help prevent infection.
- Nutrition: A balanced diet supports healthy tissue and the immune system.
- Fluids: Adequate fluid intake helps flush out microorganisms.
- Sleep: Adequate sleep is essential for overall health and immune function.
- Stress: Manage stress levels, as excessive stress can increase susceptibility.
- Immunizations: Vaccinees help protect against infectious diseases.
Medical Asepsis and Surgical Asepsis
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Medical Asepsis (Clean Technique): Practices to limit the number and transmission of microorganisms. Objects are considered clean or dirty.
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Surgical Asepsis (Sterile Technique): Practices to keep a specific area or object completely free from all microorganisms. This technique is used for procedures involving sterile areas of the body.
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Description
Test your knowledge on infection control precautions, focusing on droplet and airborne precautions. This quiz covers essential personal protective equipment (PPE) and nursing interventions applicable in healthcare settings. Ensure you understand the protocols for diseases such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and COVID-19.
