Chapter 20: Promoting Asepsis & Preventing Infection

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Questions and Answers

What term refers to the ability of an organism to cause disease?

Virulence (correct)

Sensitivity

Susceptibility

Infection

Which stage of infection is characterized by the appearance of vague symptoms?

Convalescence

Illness

Incubation

Prodromal (correct)

What type of infection is limited to a specific region of the body?

Chronic

Acute

Systemic

Localized (correct)

Which factor can increase the risk of infection?

Breaks in the skin Signup and view all the answers

What is a key focus of medical asepsis?

Disinfecting surfaces Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a latent infection?

HIV/AIDS Signup and view all the answers

Which type of defense is represented by anatomical features?

Primary Defense Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following practices best supports host defenses against infections?

Balanced nutrition Signup and view all the answers

Which action violates a principle of proper handwashing at the bedside?

Shaking your hands dry over the sink Signup and view all the answers

What is a key precaution for contact transmission-based precautions?

Using gloves and gowns Signup and view all the answers

What should the nurse do if gauze drops outside the sterile field?

Get a new gauze Signup and view all the answers

Which immunoglobulin would be most likely present after initial exposure to an upper respiratory infection?

IgM Signup and view all the answers

What practice helps maintain sterile technique during a central venous catheter insertion?

Closing the patient’s door to limit room traffic Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of protective isolation?

Protecting immunocompromised patients from infections Signup and view all the answers

Which immunoglobulin is primarily responsible for allergic responses?

IgE Signup and view all the answers

What is essential when maintaining a sterile field?

Controlling the environment around the field Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Infectious Agents and Reservoirs

Infection: A disease caused by a pathogen.
Infectious Agents: Organisms that can cause disease (e.g., bacteria, viruses, fungi).
Reservoir: The place where an infectious agent lives and multiplies (e.g., humans, animals, contaminated surfaces).

Chain of Infection

Transmission: How an infectious agent moves from one person to another (e.g., direct contact, indirect contact, airborne).
Portal of Exit: The way an infectious agent leaves its reservoir (e.g., respiratory droplets, wound drainage).
Portal of Entry: How an infectious agent enters a new host (e.g., breaks in the skin, mucous membranes).
Susceptible Host: An individual at risk for contracting a specific infection (e.g., weakened immune system, lack of vaccination).
Virulence: The severity or harmfulness of a disease or poison.

Stages of Infection

Incubation: The period between infection and the appearance of symptoms.
Prodromal: The period when vague symptoms first appear.
Illness: The period when the signs and symptoms of a disease are most prominent.
Decline: The period when the number of pathogens decreases.
Convalescence: The recovery period when the body returns to health and tissue repairs itself.

Classification of Infections

Local: Occurs in a specific area of the body (e.g., urinary tract infection).
Systemic: Spreads throughout the body via the blood or lymph (e.g., septicemia).

Associated with healthcare settings.
Can be costly and a significant cause of death.
Preventable through various strategies.
Exogenous infections: Caused by organisms from outside the body.
Endogenous infections: Caused by organisms that come from the patient's own body.

Lines of Defense Against Infection

Primary Defenses: Include anatomical barriers like the skin, mucous membranes, tears, and cilia (e.g., hair-like structures in the respiratory system).
Secondary Defenses: Include biochemical processes like inflammation and fever.
Tertiary Defenses: Include specific immune responses like humoral immunity (antibody production) and cell-mediated immunity (T-cell response).

Factors Influencing Infection Risk

Developmental Stage: Infants, children, and the elderly are more susceptible.
Breaks in the Skin: Open wounds and sores provide entry points for pathogens.
Illness/Injury and Chronic Disease: Weakened immune function increases susceptibility.
Smoking and Substance Abuse: Impair immune function and increase risk.
Multiple Sex Partners: Increases exposure to sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Medications that Inhibit Immune Function: Can decrease the body's ability to fight infection.
Nursing and Medical Procedures: Procedures like surgery and catheterization can increase risk.

Supporting Host Defenses

Adequate Nutrition: Essential for the body to manufacture cells of the immune system.
Balanced Hygiene: Reduces the number of bacteria on the skin without causing irritation or dryness.
Rest and Exercise: Helps boost immune function.
Reducing Stress: Chronic stress can suppress the immune system.
Immunization: Provides protection against specific diseases.

Preventing Infection

Medical Asepsis: Clean technique to prevent the spread of infection using methods like handwashing and disinfection.
Clean Environment: Maintaining a tidy and clean environment helps reduce the spread of infection.
Disinfecting surfaces: Using disinfectants to kill pathogens on contaminated surfaces.
Handwashing: A critical practice for preventing infection.
- Non-surgical handwashing: At least 15 seconds.
- Surgical handwashing: 2-6 minutes.

Transmission-Based Precautions

Contact Precautions: Prevent the spread of pathogens by direct contact, including drainage from wounds, secretions, and supplies.
- A private room may be required.
- Clean gown and glove use are mandatory.
- Dispose of contaminated items in the room.
- Double-bag linen and mark it clearly.
Airborne Precautions: Prevent the spread of infections through small airborne particles.
Droplet Precautions: Used when pathogens can be spread on larger droplets (e.g., coughing, sneezing).

Protective Isolation

Protects the client: Used for clients with compromised immune systems.
Cannot be used for infected patients: Used in specialized units like RNICU, OB, and Burn Units.

Surgical Asepsis

Sterile Technique: Prevents contamination of a sterile field.
Sterile Field: A specific area that is free from microorganisms.
Sterile Supplies: All supplies used are sterilized and protected from contamination.
Sterile Environment: The surgical area is maintained to prevent contamination.

Immunoglobulin Classes

IgM: The first antibody to appear in response to infection.
IgG: The most common immunoglobulin; provides long-term immunity.
IgE: Involved in allergic responses.
IgA: Provides immune protection through secretions (e.g., saliva, mucus).
IgD: Traps pathogens.

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Test your knowledge on infectious agents, their reservoirs, and the chain of infection. This quiz covers key concepts including transmission, portals of exit and entry, and different stages of infection. Understand how pathogens spread and the factors that contribute to disease susceptibility.