Infection Fundamentals

Infection Fundamentals

• Infection: A disease caused by pathogens (disease-producing microorganisms) in or on the body.
• Infectious Agents: Bacteria, viruses, fungi.
• Reservoir: The natural habitat of an organism.
• Portal of Exit: The point of escape for an organism from a host.
• Transmission: Direct contact, indirect contact (through intermediary), airborne.
• Portal of Entry: The point at which an organism enters a new host.
• Susceptible Host: A host that has overcome the body's defenses.
• Significant Hospital Pathogen: Bacteria.
• Smallest Microorganism: Viruses.
• Plant-like organism: Fungi.
• Bacterial Shapes: Spherical (cocci), rod-shaped (bacilli), corkscrew-shaped (spirochetes).
• Gram Stain Classifications: Gram-positive, Gram-negative.
• Oxygen Classifications: Aerobic, anaerobic.
• Factors Affecting Disease: Number of organisms, virulence, host immune system competence, length/intimacy of contact.
• Body Portals of Entry: Inhalation, absorption (mucous membranes, eyes, genitals), ingestion (gastrointestinal tract), inoculation (puncture/trauma), insertion (medical devices).
• Common Portals of Exit: Respiratory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, breaks in skin, blood/tissue.
• Stages of Infection: Incubation, prodromal, illness, convalescence.
• Incubation Period: Organism growth and multiplication.
• Prodromal Stage: Most infectious period, vague/nonspecific signs.
• Illness Stage: Specific signs and symptoms.
• Convalescence: Recovery from infection.
• Vector: Living creature (usually insect) or inanimate object (fomites) transmitting infectious agents.
• Complete Blood Count (CBC): Analyzes red blood cells (hemoglobin), platelets, white blood cells (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils).
• Host Susceptibility Factors: Intact skin/mucous membranes, normal pH, age, sex, genetics, natural/acquired immunity, fatigue, climate, nutrition, stress, invasive devices.
• Cardinal Signs of Acute Infection: Redness, heat, swelling, pain, loss of function.
• Laboratory Indications of Infection: Elevated white blood cell count, increase in specific white blood cell types, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, presence of pathogen in fluids (urine, blood, sputum).
• World Health Organization (WHO) Hand Hygiene Moments: Before touching a patient, before a clean/aseptic procedure, after body fluid exposure risk, after touching a patient, after touching patient surroundings.
• Transient Bacterial Flora: Loosely attached to skin, easily removed.
• Resident Bacterial Flora: Found in skin creases, requires friction to remove.
• Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs): Catheter-associated UTIs (CAUTIs), surgical site infections (SSIs), central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), ventilator-associated pneumonias (VAPs).
• Nosocomial Infection: Infection acquired in a hospital or long-term care facility.
• Exogenous Infection: Acquired from another person.
• Endogenous Infection: From the person's own microbial life.
• Iatrogenic Infection: Infection from a diagnostic or surgical procedure.
• Body Defenses against Infection: Normal flora, inflammatory response, immune response.
• Soaps/Detergents: Adequate for routine mechanical hand cleansing.
• Gloves vs. Hand Washing: Gloves are not a substitute for handwashing.
• Gowns: Protect from soiling/body fluids.
• Masks: Prevent inhalation of aerosols, respiratory secretions.
• Goggles/Face Shields: Protect mucous membranes.
• TB Mask: Properly-fitted N95.
• Transmission-Based Precautions (2007): PPE required for contact/droplet precautions.
• Asepsis: Free from disease-causing agents.
• Asepsis Categories: Medical (clean technique), Surgical (sterile technique).
• Surgical Asepsis Use: Operating room, specific diagnostic/invasive procedures.
• Maslow's Basic Needs: Unmet needs lead to illness, fulfillment helps prevent/restore health, takes priority.
• Maslow's Hierarchy (Basic Needs): Physiological, safety/security, love/belonging, esteem, self-actualization.
• Nurses Interventions (Safety/Security): Hygiene, correct equipment use, medication management.
• Nurses Interventions (Love/Belonging): Including family/friends, trust.
• Family Functions: Physical, economic, reproductive, affective/coping, socialization.
• Community Health Factors: Social support, healthcare structure, economic resources, impact on individuals/families.
• Health Promotion/Prevention (Primary): Promoting health/preventing disease (immunizations, family planning).
• Health Promotion/Prevention (Secondary): Screenings for early detection (child assessments, exams).
• Health Promotion/Prevention (Tertiary): Reducing disability, maximizing function (rehabilitation, support).
• Alveolar Function: Oxygenates blood, removes carbon dioxide.
• Cardiovascular/Hematologic Function: Transports nutrients/wastes.
• Upper Respiratory Tract Function: Warms, filters, humidifies air.
• Upper Airway Components: Nose, pharynx, larynx, epiglottis.
• Lower Respiratory Tract Function: Air conduction, mucociliary clearance, surfactant production.
• Lower Airway Components: Trachea, bronchi, bronchioles.
• Lung Lobes: Right (3), Left (2).
• Inspiration: Active movement for air intake.
• Expiration: Passive movement for air expulsion.
• Gas Exchange: Intake of oxygen, release of carbon dioxide.
• Gas Exchange Mechanism: Diffusion.
• Oxygen Transport: Plasma and red blood cells.
• Oxygen Binding: Primarily oxyhemoglobin.
• Carbon Dioxide Transport: Carboxyhemoglobin.
• Hypoxia: Insufficient oxygen to cells.
• Dyspnea: Difficulty breathing.
• Hypoventilation: Decreased breathing rate/depth.
• Cardiovascular System: Heart and blood vessels.
• Dysrhythmia (Arrhythmia): Abnormal heart rhythm.
• Myocardial Ischemia: Inadequate blood flow to heart tissue.
• Myocardial Infarction: Heart muscle damage due to insufficient oxygen.
• Infant Crackles: Normal at end of deep respirations.
• Child Immunity: Developed by late childhood to prevent most infections.
• Kyphosis: Humpback in thoracic area.
• Vesicular Breath Sounds: Low-pitched, soft, expiratory.
• Bronchial Breath Sounds: High-pitched, longer, over trachea.
• Bronchovesicular Breath Sounds: Medium pitch, expiratory, upper anterior chest.
• Crackles (Lung Sounds): Intermittent sounds from air passing through fluid-filled airways.
• Wheezes (Lung Sounds): Continuous sounds in expiration/inspiration, constricted airways.
• Nursing Interventions (Respiration): Positioning, fluids, humidity, nutrition, chest physiotherapy, coughing, suctioning, oxygenation.
• Proper Breathing Techniques: Deep breathing, incentive spirometry, pursed-lip breathing.
• Diaphragmatic Breathing: Abdominal breathing.
• COPD and Diaphragm Function: COPD can weaken/flatten the diaphragm.
• Oxygen Delivery Systems: Nasal cannula, masks, etc.
• Oxygen Administration Precautions: Fire safety, electrical safety, static electricity, oils.
• Improved Gas Exchange: Absence of cyanosis/chest pain, Spo2 >95%.
• Factors Affecting Personal Hygiene: Culture, socioeconomic status, spiritual practices, developmental level, health state, personal preferences.
• Skin Examination Factors: Cleanliness, color, temperature, turgor, moisture, sensation, vascularity, lesions.
• Risk Factors for Skin Alterations: Lifestyle, health changes, illness, diagnostic/therapeutic procedures.
• Daily Needs: Feeding, bathing/hygiene, dressing/grooming, toileting.

Explore the fundamentals of infection, including infectious agents, reservoirs, and transmission methods. Learn about bacterial shapes, Gram stain classifications, and factors influencing disease development. Understand the roles of bacteria, viruses, and fungi in causing infections.