Infection Symptoms and Characteristics
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Questions and Answers

What is a common symptom experienced by patients with HIV infection?

  • Prolonged exposure to the sun
  • Rash
  • Generalized flu-like symptoms (correct)
  • Skin rash

    • What is a crucial aspect of nursing care for patients with SLE?

  • Monitoring the patient's pain level and medication use (correct)
  • Providing diagnosis and treatment options
  • Performing diagnostic tests
  • Administering immunosuppressive therapy

    • What is the primary mechanism by which HIV destroys immune cells?

  • By penetrating the body through blood and body fluids
  • Through direct destruction of macrophages and T4 helper cells
  • Through infusion of genetic material into host cells (correct)
  • By impairing the immune response

    • What is the duration of the latent stage of HIV infection?

    <p>2-12 years</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of encouraging patients with SLE to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun?

    <p>To prevent skin rash</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it essential to provide accurate and consistent information to patients with SLE?

    <p>To ensure the patient's understanding of the condition</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the typical CD4 cell level that indicates a patient has AIDS?

    <p>Less than 200</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the name of the antiretroviral drug regimens used to treat HIV?

    <p>HAART</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common symptom of HIV infection?

    <p>Extreme fatigue and weight loss</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a risk factor for HIV infection?

    <p>Unprotected sexual contact with someone possibly infected with HIV</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a complication of HIV infection?

    <p>Opportunistic infections</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During which stage of HIV infection does the patient begin to experience opportunistic infections?

    <p>Third stage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common opportunistic infection experienced by patients with AIDS?

    <p>Pneumonia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the stage of HIV infection where the patient is asymptomatic and CD4 cells continue to decline?

    <p>Asymptomatic stage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary mode of transmission of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)?

    <p>Contact</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the recommended duration of hand rubbing with a waterless antiseptic?

    <p>At least 20 seconds</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary clue to immunodeficiency?

    <p>Recurrent infections</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the goal of desensitization in allergy treatment?

    <p>To reduce the severity of the allergic response</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the first step in the Be Safe guide for patients with allergies?

    <p>Seek immediate help</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the treatment for anaphylaxis?

    <p>Oxygen, IV epinephrine, dopamine, and corticosteroids</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of immunosuppressive therapy in organ transplantation?

    <p>To prevent rejection of the allograft</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of contact precautions?

    <p>To prevent contact with infected patients</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of airborne infection isolation?

    <p>To prevent airborne transmission</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the recommended daily fluid intake for patients with an infection?

    <p>At least 2L per day</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Infections

    • Asymptomatic persons may be more contagious than those exhibiting symptoms
    • Symptoms of localized infections:
      • Redness
      • Pain
      • Warmth
      • Swelling
      • Pus may form
    • Patients with generalized infections may not show all signs of infection
    • Pain and swelling severity depend on location
    • Warmth is expressed as fever in generalized infections
    • Other symptoms of generalized infections:
      • Malaise
      • Anorexia
      • Prostration

    Types of Infections

    • Community Acquired Infections:
      • Acquired in day-to-day contact with the public
      • Examples: childhood illnesses, TB, HIV/AIDS, foodborne illnesses, STIs
      • Prevention methods:
        • Ensure childhood immunizations are complete
        • Adult immunizations
        • Hand washing and proper food handling
        • Sanitation of water supplies
        • Proper hygiene
        • Use of personal barriers like condoms
        • Staying home when sick
    • Health-Care Associated Infections (HAIs):
      • Occur within a healthcare facility
      • More serious due to virulent and resistant bacteria
      • Examples: VRE, MRSA
      • Prevention methods:
        • Contact precautions
        • Standard precautions
        • Use of single patient rooms when available

    Care of Patients with Infections

    • Medical Asepsis:
      • Limiting the spread of microorganisms
      • Also known as clean technique
      • Practices:
        • Changing bed linens
        • Sanitizing bed linens
        • Using personal equipment for each patient
        • Frequent hand hygiene
    • Hand Hygiene:
      • Soiled hands are the primary mode of transmission of HAIs
      • Effective hand hygiene methods:
        • Soap and water
        • Waterless antiseptic with at least 60% alcohol
        • Surgical scrub
      • Rub hands together for at least 20 seconds
      • Rub waterless antiseptic until dry
    • Surgical Asepsis:
      • Sterile technique
      • Elimination of microorganisms through chemical or physical sterilization
      • Techniques to prevent unsterile surfaces from coming into contact with the patient
    • Standard Precautions:
      • Used for all patients in the hospital
      • Practices:
        • Use of gloves, gowns, and masks
        • Hand hygiene
        • Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces
      • Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette
    • Airborne Infection Isolation:
      • For patients with diseases that spread through the air
      • Examples: TB, SARS, varicella, rubeola
      • Practices:
        • Use of negative pressure rooms
        • Properly fitted N95 masks
      • Patients with airborne infections require a surgical mask when leaving their rooms
    • Droplet Precautions:
      • For patients with diseases that spread through droplets
      • Examples: COVID-19, rubella, mumps, diphtheria, influenza
      • Practices:
        • Use of surgical masks
        • Placing patients in private rooms
      • Staff and visitors must wear a surgical mask when within 3 feet of the patient
    • Contact Precautions:
      • For patients with diseases that spread through direct or indirect contact
      • Practices:
        • Use of gloves and gowns
        • Use of dedicated patient care equipment
        • Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces
      • Examples of diseases that require contact precautions: GI infections, respiratory tract infections, skin and wound infections

    Nursing Care of the Patient with an Infection

    • Urge patients to consume adequate fluids (at least 2L per day)
    • Encourage patients to consume high protein and high vitamin foods
    • Isolate patients to prevent spread of infection
    • Lab tests used to screen patients for infection:
      • White blood cell count
      • Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
      • Iron Level
      • Cultures of urine, blood, and sputum
      • White blood cell differential count
    • Caution patients not to stop taking medication when they start feeling better

    Immunodeficiency

    • Definition: When the body's self-defenses against foreign invaders fail to function normally
    • Types of immunodeficiencies:
      • Congenital
      • Acquired
    • Causes of acquired immunodeficiency:
      • Infections
      • Malignancies
      • Autoimmune diseases
      • Chronic diseases
      • Drugs
      • Aging
      • Stress
      • Malnutrition
    • Treatment of immunodeficiency:
      • Congenital: replacement therapy of the deficient immune component
      • Acquired: correcting the underlying condition
    • Nursing care for immunocompromised patients:
      • Use good hand hygiene
      • Encourage adequate nutrition
      • Perform effective skin, mouth, perineal, wound, and IV site care
      • Encourage patient to turn, cough, and deep breathe
      • Use protective isolation
      • Use disposable equipment
      • Educate patient on signs and symptoms of infection
      • Provide a supportive listening environment

    Hypersensitivity and Allergy

    • Definition: An atypical immune response that is activated by a foreign substance that is normally inoffensive
    • Causes of hypersensitivity:
      • Genetic predisposition
      • Environmental factors
    • Examples of allergens:
      • House dust
      • Animal dander
      • Pollens
      • Molds
      • Foods
      • Pharmacologic agents
      • Cigarette smoke
      • Feathers
      • Insect venoms
    • Local manifestations of allergic reactions:
      • Urticaria
      • Pruritus
      • Conjunctivitis
      • Rhinitis
      • Laryngeal edema
      • Bronchospasm
      • Dysrhythmia
      • GI cramps
      • Malabsorption
      • Angioedema
    • Medical treatment of patients with allergies:
      • Antihistamines
      • Bronchodilators
      • Corticosteroids
      • O2 and breathing treatments
      • Topical lotions and ointments
    • Nursing care for patients with allergies:
      • Post allergies on the patient's record
      • Never give any drug that the patient is allergic to
      • Alert pharmacy and dietary to the patient's allergies
      • Notify the provider of patient allergies
      • Ensure patients taking allergy medications continue to do so
      • Teach patient to limit exposure or avoid allergens
      • Teach proper use of allergy medications
      • Teach actions and side effects of medications
      • Teach patient to wear a ID band that identifies their allergies

    Anaphylaxis

    • Definition: A life-threatening allergic reaction
    • Causes of anaphylaxis:
      • Antimicrobials
      • Medicines or serums from animal sources
      • Insect venom
      • Iodine radioactive contrast media
      • Local anesthetic
      • Blood products
    • Symptoms of anaphylaxis:
      • Anxiety
      • Wheezing
      • Difficulty breathing
      • Cyanosis
      • Hives
      • Facial edema
      • Arthralgia
      • Dizziness
      • Hypotension
      • Cardiac arrest
    • Treatment of anaphylaxis:
      • O2
      • IV epinephrine
      • Dopamine or a volume expander (or both) to raise BP
      • Nebulized bronchodilator
      • Diphenhydramine
      • Corticosteroids
    • Nursing care for patients with anaphylaxis:
      • Prevent anaphylaxis when possible
      • Prompt recognition of anaphylaxis
      • Minimize patient's anxiety
      • Administer prescribed drugs
      • Monitor vital signs

    Autoimmune Diseases

    • Definition: When the immune system reacts against and destroys its own tissues
    • Causes of autoimmune diseases:
      • Injury to tissue
      • Infection
      • Malignancy
    • Treatment of autoimmune diseases:
      • Corticosteroids
      • NSAIDs
      • Immunosuppressive therapies
    • Nursing care for patients with autoimmune diseases:
      • Adequate rest
      • Optimal hydration and nutrition
      • Prevention of infection
      • Supportive caring atmosphere

    Organ Transplantation

    • Definition: When a patient's own healthy immune system may recognize the allograft (implanted organ or tissue) as foreign and try to destroy it
    • Types of rejection:
      • Acute rejection
      • Chronic rejection
    • Treatment of rejection:
      • Immunosuppressant drugs
      • Corticosteroids
      • Methotrexate
      • Cyclosporine
    • Nursing care for patients with transplanted organs:
      • Monitor for signs of rejection
      • Administer immunosuppressant drugs
      • Educate patient on the importance of taking medication
      • Teach patient to recognize signs of rejection

    Drugs Used to Treat Immunologic Disorders

    • Corticosteroids:

      • Used to suppress the immune response
      • Used to prevent rejection of grafted tissue
      • Treats RA, SLE, and MS

    • Calcineurin Inhibitors (CI):

      • Used to prevent rejection of trans### SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) Patient Care

    • Closely monitor the patient's pain level and medication use.

    • Encourage the patient to avoid prolonged sun exposure and use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to prevent skin rash.

    • Allow patients to express their feelings and ask questions, as a diagnosis of SLE can be shocking.

    • Ensure accurate and consistent information from the healthcare team to facilitate patient understanding.

    Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

    • HIV causes immune cell destruction and is a retrovirus, transcribing genetic material in reverse.
    • Infection occurs through blood and body fluids, and HIV attaches to macrophages and T4 helper cells, infusing its genetic material into the host cell.
    • Over time, HIV destroys CD4+T cells faster than the body can replace them, leading to opportunistic infections when the immune response is severely impaired.

    Stages of HIV Infection

    • Initial stage: lasts 4-8 weeks from exposure, with 50% of people experiencing flu-like symptoms and the other 50% being asymptomatic.
    • Latent stage: virus is inactive in infected resting CD4 host cells, lasting 2-12 years, during which the patient is asymptomatic and CD4 cells decline.
    • Third stage: patient experiences opportunistic infections, with declining CD4 cell levels (<500) and increasing virus levels in the blood.

    HIV Complications and Characteristics

    • Opportunistic infections occur when CD4 cell levels fall below 200, and the patient is considered to have AIDS, with high virus levels in the blood.
    • Antiretroviral drug regimens are abbreviated as ART or HAART.
    • Clinical manifestations of HIV include malaise, nausea/vomiting, decreased appetite, rash, diarrhea, fever, night sweats, and others.
    • Risk factors for HIV include unprotected sexual contact, IV drug use with shared needles, and blood transfusions before 1989.

    HIV Complications

    • Opportunistic infections, wasting, secondary cancers, and dementia.
    • Patients with AIDS are at high risk for opportunistic fungal, parasitic, and viral infections, including oral candidiasis, pneumonia, herpes simplex, meningitis, and toxoplasmosis.

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    Description

    This quiz covers the symptoms and signs of localized and generalized infections, including inflammation and contagiousness.

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