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Questions and Answers
What is a common portal of entry for pathogens?
What is a common portal of entry for pathogens?
What mechanism is considered a natural defense against pathogens?
What mechanism is considered a natural defense against pathogens?
Which symptom is associated with a localized infection?
Which symptom is associated with a localized infection?
How can healthcare professionals help break the chain of infection?
How can healthcare professionals help break the chain of infection?
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What is one way to maximize the resistance of the host?
What is one way to maximize the resistance of the host?
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Which type of immunity is considered short-term?
Which type of immunity is considered short-term?
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What is a sign of a generalized or systemic infection?
What is a sign of a generalized or systemic infection?
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What is an effective way to prevent the transmission of microorganisms?
What is an effective way to prevent the transmission of microorganisms?
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What is the definition of infection?
What is the definition of infection?
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Which of the following correctly describes a carrier?
Which of the following correctly describes a carrier?
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What type of microorganisms require oxygen to survive?
What type of microorganisms require oxygen to survive?
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Which of the following is an example of a portal of exit?
Which of the following is an example of a portal of exit?
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What is the primary function of normal flora?
What is the primary function of normal flora?
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Which of the following is NOT an element of the chain of infection?
Which of the following is NOT an element of the chain of infection?
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What kind of environment do most microorganisms prefer for growth?
What kind of environment do most microorganisms prefer for growth?
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Which of the following pathogens is NOT included in the definition of an infectious agent?
Which of the following pathogens is NOT included in the definition of an infectious agent?
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What is the primary route of transmission for Hepatitis A?
What is the primary route of transmission for Hepatitis A?
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Which type of hepatitis can only appear as a co-infection with another type?
Which type of hepatitis can only appear as a co-infection with another type?
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Which of the following is NOT a route of transmission for HIV?
Which of the following is NOT a route of transmission for HIV?
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What type of disease is Tuberculosis (TB) classified as?
What type of disease is Tuberculosis (TB) classified as?
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What is the primary goal of medical asepsis?
What is the primary goal of medical asepsis?
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Hepatitis C is primarily spread through which of the following methods?
Hepatitis C is primarily spread through which of the following methods?
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Which of the following is considered a part of standard precautions?
Which of the following is considered a part of standard precautions?
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The major risk of occupational exposure to Hepatitis B is primarily due to which of the following?
The major risk of occupational exposure to Hepatitis B is primarily due to which of the following?
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Which of the following statements about Hepatitis vaccines is true?
Which of the following statements about Hepatitis vaccines is true?
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What does surgical asepsis (sterilization) focus on?
What does surgical asepsis (sterilization) focus on?
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Which isolation precaution is primarily aimed at airborne transmission?
Which isolation precaution is primarily aimed at airborne transmission?
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What is the primary means of spreading Tuberculosis (TB)?
What is the primary means of spreading Tuberculosis (TB)?
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What is the best method to ensure the spread of microorganisms is minimized?
What is the best method to ensure the spread of microorganisms is minimized?
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In the context of standard precautions, what should be done when dealing with bio-spills?
In the context of standard precautions, what should be done when dealing with bio-spills?
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What is the focus of isolation precautions?
What is the focus of isolation precautions?
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Which body fluid is NOT included in standard precautions?
Which body fluid is NOT included in standard precautions?
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What is the relationship between patient flora and a healthy person?
What is the relationship between patient flora and a healthy person?
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Which of the following diseases is classified as an infectious disease mentioned in the content?
Which of the following diseases is classified as an infectious disease mentioned in the content?
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In what situation must an individual immediately report exposure to blood or body fluids?
In what situation must an individual immediately report exposure to blood or body fluids?
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Which scenario would NOT require handwashing according to standard patient care practices?
Which scenario would NOT require handwashing according to standard patient care practices?
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What should be done after an exposure incident occurs?
What should be done after an exposure incident occurs?
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Study Notes
Introduction to Health Science - Infection Control
- Microorganisms: Tiny, one-celled plants or animals found everywhere.
- Infection: Microorganisms invade and grow in body tissue, causing harm.
- Contagious or Communicable Disease: Spread directly or indirectly between individuals.
- Aerobic Microorganism: Need oxygen to survive.
- Anaerobic Microorganism: Don't need oxygen to survive.
- Normal Flora: Microorganisms that don't cause disease and reside in specific areas of the body.
Chain of Infection
- Must have six elements present for an infection to occur.
- Infectious Agent: Pathogens like bacteria, viruses, fungi, rickettsia, and protozoa.
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Reservoir Host: Where the pathogen lives and grows, like humans, animals, contaminated water, or food.
- Carrier: A person or animal carrying a pathogen without showing symptoms.
- Portal of Exit: How the pathogen leaves the reservoir, such as blood, urine, feces, wound drainage, saliva, mucus, or reproductive fluids.
- Route of Transmission: How the pathogen travels from the reservoir to a new host, such as air, food, insects, or direct contact.
- Portal of Entry: The pathogen's entry point into a new host, like the mouth, nostrils, or breaks in the skin.
- Susceptible Host: An individual lacking resistance to the invading pathogen.
Defense Mechanisms
- Resist infection through natural and acquired immunity.
- Natural Defense: Include cilia, coughing, sneezing, tears, stomach acid, mucous membranes, and fever.
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Acquired Immunity:
- Active Immunity: Develops after exposure to a disease or vaccination.
- Passive Immunity: Temporary immunity gained through antibodies from another source, such as breast milk or injections.
Breaking the Chain of Infection
- Interrupting any link in the chain can prevent infection.
- Reduce the source of microorganisms:
- Proper handwashing.
- Decontaminate surfaces and equipment using antiseptics, disinfectants, and sterilization.
- Avoid contact with patients.
- Prevent transmission:
- Use personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection.
- Follow isolation procedures.
- Maximize host resistance:
- Practice good hygiene.
- Ensure proper nutrition and fluid intake.
- Reduce stressors that weaken the immune system.
Methods of Infection Control
- Medical Asepsis: Reduces the number of infectious agents by simple cleanliness and handwashing.
- Surgical Asepsis (Sterilization): Eliminates all microorganisms through procedures like sterilization.
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Standard Precautions: Precautions for all patients, regardless of their diagnosis or infection status, to protect against contact with potentially infectious body fluids.
- Includes handwashing, gloving, PPE, safe needle handling, and bio-spill clean-up procedures.
- Isolation Precautions (Transmission-Based Precautions): Used in conjunction with Standard Precautions to prevent the spread of airborne, droplet, and contact infections.
Isolation Precautions
- Airborne Precautions: For infections spread through small particles suspended in the air.
- Droplet Precautions: For infections spread through large droplets released by coughing, sneezing, or talking.
- Contact Precautions: For infections spread by direct or indirect contact with an infected person or their environment.
Infectious Diseases
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Hepatitis: A group of liver infections.
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Hepatitis B: A major blood-borne occupational hazard for healthcare professionals.
- Transmitted through blood, bodily fluids, and sexual contact.
- Hepatitis A: Transmitted through contaminated food and water.
- Hepatitis C: Spread primarily through blood or blood products.
- Hepatitis D: Requires co-infection with Hepatitis B.
- Hepatitis E: Transmitted through contaminated food and water.
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Hepatitis B: A major blood-borne occupational hazard for healthcare professionals.
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HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus): Causes AIDS.
- Transmitted through contaminated blood or needles, bodily fluids, sexual contact, and from mother to child.
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Tuberculosis (TB): A chronic bacterial disease that mainly affects the lungs.
- Spread through airborne droplets released by coughing or sneezing.
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Nosocomial Infections: Infections acquired in a hospital.
- Sources include medical personnel, patient flora, and contaminated hospital environments.
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Other Infectious Diseases:
- Mad cow disease
- West Nile virus
- Ebola virus
- Bird flu (H5N1 avian influenza)
- Swine flu (H1N1 influenza)
- COVID-19
Reporting Exposure
- Immediately report any exposure to blood or body fluids.
- Complete an incident or injury report.
- Refer to exposure control plans.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the basics of infection control, including the types of microorganisms, the chain of infection, and how diseases are spread. This quiz covers essential concepts in health science necessary for preventing and managing infections.
