Medical Asepsis and Infection Control
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Questions and Answers

What is the definition of a pathogen?

Microorganisms that can cause infectious diseases

What is the definition of infection?

The pathological condition resulting from the invasion of the body by pathogenic microorganisms.

What is the definition of a carrier?

People or animals who show no symptoms of illness but that have pathogens on or in their bodies that can be transferred to others.

What is a nosocomial infection?

<p>An infection acquired from health care settings.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of contamination?

<p>The process by which something is unclean or un-sterile</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of a disinfectant?

<p>A chemical substance that is used for disinfecting only an inanimate object (e.g., phenol, chlorine) it reduces the number of microorganisms but does not eliminate them.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of an antiseptic solution?

<p>A substance that can be applied to a person's skin to reduce the number of microorganisms, inhibit its growth and activity, e.g. (alcohol, betadine).</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of sterilization?

<p>The destruction of all microorganisms and their spores.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of asepsis?

<p>Practices that minimize or eliminate organisms that can cause infection and disease.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the two types of asepsis?

<p>Medical asepsis and Surgical asepsis</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of medical asepsis?

<p>Maintaining cleanliness to prevent the spread of microorganisms</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of medical asepsis?

<p>To reduce the number and spread of pathogenic organisms</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of clean techniques used in medical asepsis?

<p>Hand washing, changing bed linens, and wearing gloves</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of sterile techniques used in surgical asepsis?

<p>Scrubbing hands for 5 minutes, using sterile instruments, and operating in a surgical suite</p> Signup and view all the answers

A used bedpan is considered contaminated in medical asepsis.

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

A tear in a surgical glove is considered contaminated in surgical asepsis.

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

What is the primary goal of medical asepsis?

<p>To prevent or reduce the transmission of microorganisms from one person to another.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a practice that reduces pathogens?

<p>Using only sterile equipment and supplies</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a practice that interrupts transmission?

<p>Hand washing</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following practices is NOT part of the chain of infection?

<p>Sterile techniques</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the six elements of the chain of infection?

<p>Causative agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the causative agent in the chain of infection?

<p>To initiate the infection.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the reservoir in the chain of infection?

<p>To be the location where the infectious agent lives, grows and multiplies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the portal of exit in the chain of infection?

<p>To be the method by which an infectious agent leaves the reservoir.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the mode of transmission in the chain of infection?

<p>To be the way that the infectious agent travels from the reservoir to the susceptible host.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the susceptible host in the chain of infection?

<p>To be a person who is vulnerable to infection.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following practices is NOT a part of breaking the chain of infection?

<p>Maintaining a sterile environment</p> Signup and view all the answers

Hand washing is the most important way to prevent the spread of microorganisms.

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

All bodily fluids should be treated as potentially infectious.

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

Protective barriers such as gloves, gowns, and masks protect only the healthcare provider, not the patient.

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

Proper disposal of wastes, garbage, and used medical supplies helps prevent the spread of infection.

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

Regular checkups and follow-ups help prevent infection.

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

Protective vaccines are an important method to prevent infection.

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

Maintaining an aseptic technique is essential during nursing care.

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

Organisms grow best in a clean, dry, and airy environment.

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

Breaks in the skin are a good portal of entry for many organisms.

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

Equipment and supplies should be reused for multiple patients to save resources.

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

Disposable equipment used for patient care is considered contaminated after use.

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

It is okay to carry soiled linen from the patient's room back to the laundry room with you.

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

It is safer to clean the most soiled areas first and then move to the less soiled areas.

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

Pouring liquids to be discarded directly into a drain or toilet is the safest method to prevent the spread of organisms.

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

Isolation techniques are designed to prevent the spread of an infectious agent from an infected person to a susceptible person.

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

Which type of isolation is used to prevent the transmission of highly communicable diseases that can be spread through both contact and airborne routes?

<p>Strict isolation</p> Signup and view all the answers

Patients in strict isolation are often kept in negative-airflow rooms.

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

Visitation to patients in strict isolation is usually encouraged for emotional support.

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

Gloves, face masks, and gowns are typically required for all personnel entering a strict isolation room.

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

Hands must be washed only upon entering a strict isolation room.

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

Contaminated articles from a strict isolation room should be discarded or bagged and labeled before being sent for disinfection or sterilization.

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

Contact isolation is used to prevent the spread of diseases that can be spread through:

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

Respiratory isolation is used to prevent the spread of diseases that can be spread through:

<p>Airborne droplets</p> Signup and view all the answers

Body Substance Isolation (BSI) is designed to avoid contact with:

<p>Contaminated bodily fluids</p> Signup and view all the answers

Blood isolation is used for patients with diseases that are transmitted through blood.

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

Exposure of open wounds to contaminated blood or body fluids from infected patients is considered a risk for blood-borne disease transmission.

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

Splashes of infected blood or body fluids into mucous membranes and the eyes are considered a risk for blood-borne disease transmission.

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

Using contaminated instruments such as needles, syringes, toothbrushes, and razors can transmit blood-borne diseases.

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

Transfusion with infected blood can transmit blood-borne diseases.

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

Skin grafts, organ transplants, and sexual intercourse from an infected donor can transmit blood-borne diseases.

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

It is safe to contact blood and other body fluids with bare hands.

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

It is essential to cover any cuts, scrapes, or sores on the hands before wearing gloves.

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

It is essential to change disposable gloves after providing care to a different victim.

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

It is safe to dispose of contaminated gloves by removing them and leaving them on a surface.

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

Washing your hands after providing patient care is important but not essential.

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

Antiseptic hand cleaners can help sanitize hands in situations where hand washing is not readily available.

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

It is not necessary to sterilize or disinfect articles before use.

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

Patient's clothing and belongings should be considered contaminated if they are soiled.

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

It is safe to recap needles by hand.

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

It is recommended to place disposable sharps in a puncture-resistant container.

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

Covering the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing is essential to prevent the spread of organisms.

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

Washing hands before handling food prevents the transfer of organisms to food

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

It is only recommended to wash hands after using the bathroom.

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

Changing personal care items like towels, toothbrushes, and combs frequently helps prevent the spread of organisms.

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

Using public drinking cups is a safer practice than using water fountains.

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

Pasteurized milk is safer than unpasteurized milk because it has had many organisms removed.

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

Licensing food handlers and inspecting public eating places protects people from carrying diseases.

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

Controlling pests like rats and mosquitoes helps prevent the spread of diseases.

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

Washing fruits and vegetables under running water is an essential step for preventing foodborne illnesses.

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

Using liquid hand soap instead of bar soap is a safer practice for hand hygiene.

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

It is not necessary to use newspapers or televisions to teach people about sources of disease.

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

Maintaining a clean home and environment is essential for preventing the spread of diseases.

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

It is essential to have a safe water supply and sewage disposal.

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

Employing medical examinations is an important preventive measure to detect early sources of disease.

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

Study Notes

Introduction

  • Nurses aim to minimize infection spread by keeping clients free from infection-causing pathogens.
  • Aseptic techniques are used to eliminate or minimize pathogen presence.

Definitions of Terms

  • Pathogens: Microorganisms that cause infectious diseases.
  • Infection: A pathological condition resulting from pathogenic microorganism invasion.
  • Carriers: People or animals that harbor pathogens without showing symptoms, capable of transferring them to others.
  • Nosocomial Infection (Hospital Acquired Infection): An infection acquired in a healthcare setting.
  • Contamination: Process of making something unclean or non-sterile.
  • Disinfection: Process of eliminating pathogenic organisms (excluding spores) on inanimate objects.
  • Disinfectant: Chemical substances used to disinfect inanimate objects. They reduce microorganism numbers, but don't eliminate all.

Medical Asepsis

  • Antiseptic Solutions: Substances applied to skin to reduce microorganisms, inhibit their growth, and activity (e.g., alcohol, betadine).
  • Sterilization: Destruction of all microorganisms and their spores.
  • Asepsis: Practices to minimize or eliminate infection-causing organisms (medical & surgical).
  • Clean Technique (Medical Asepsis): Procedures that reduce the number, growth, transfer, and spread of disease-causing microorganisms, focusing on cleanliness to prevent spread.
  • Sterile Technique (Surgical Asepsis): Procedures to maintain an area free of all microorganisms (pathogenic and non-pathogenic), including spores and viruses. Aims to prevent introduction of organisms into the body.

Applications

  • Nurses use medical aseptic techniques in daily routine care (e.g., changing bed linens, handwashing, protective barriers, environmental cleaning).
  • Clean technique is appropriate for various activities like taking blood pressure, patient examination, and feeding patients.

Principles

  • In medical asepsis, an object is considered contaminated if suspected of containing a pathogen (e.g., used bedpan, floor with a wet gauze).
  • Washing hands and forearms for 1-2 minutes, removing surface contaminants and soil.
  • In surgical asepsis, any contact with a non-sterile object could contaminate a sterile area.

Hand Washing and Hand Scrubbing

  • Handwashing involves washing hands and forearms for 1 to 2 minutes to remove surface contaminants.
  • Hand scrubbing involves scrubbing hands and forearms for 5 minutes to reduce bacterial counts on skin surface, followed by drying with a sterile towel.

The Goal of Medical Asepsis

  • Preventing transmission of microorganisms from one person to another.
  • Preventing reinfection of the patient.
  • Ensuring patient comfort, safety, and psychological well-being.
  • Interrupting the chain of infection at different stages (causative agents, reservoirs, portals of exit, mode of transmission, portals of entry, susceptible hosts).

Chain of Infection

  • Infectious agents, reservoirs, portals of exit, mode of transmission, portals of entry, and susceptible hosts are critical elements in the chain of infection, all needed for infection to occur.
  • Infectious agents include viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and rickettsia.
  • Reservoirs are locations where microorganisms live, grow, and multiply (e.g., people, animals, environment).

Routes of Transmission

  • Direct contact
  • Airborne transmission
  • Blood borne transmission
  • Ingestion
  • Indirect contact

Portal of Entry

  • Means by which agents enter the body (e.g., skin, mucous membranes, respiratory tract).

Susceptible Host

  • People who are vulnerable to infection due to factors like age, health status, and other diseases.

Body Defenses Against Infection

  • First line of defense: physical barriers (skin, mucus membranes), chemical barriers (tears, saliva), and other mechanisms (coughing, sneezing).
  • Second line of defense: non-specific immune response (phagocytes, inflammation, fever).
  • Third line of defense: specific immune response (T lymphocytes, macrophages).

How to Break the Chain of Infection

  • Handwashing.
  • Using disinfectants and antiseptics.
  • Maintaining good health and hygiene.
  • Controlling the environment.
  • Proper use and disposal of equipment.
  • Isolation procedures.

Common Practices of Medical Asepsis in Health Settings

  • Washing hands properly.
  • Maintaining aseptic technique during care.
  • Keeping patient rooms clean, bright, and airy.
  • Using proper dressings for breaks in the skin.
  • Using separate equipment for each patient.
  • Proper handling of contaminated objects.

Isolation Techniques

  • Isolation techniques prevent the spread of infection to others in a healthcare facility.
  • Types of isolation techniques aim to control the transmission of organisms by limiting contact with patients, such as wearing gloves, gowns, masks, and shoe covers.

Contact Isolation

  • Isolation precautions to prevent the spread of infections through skin-to-skin contact (e.g., rabies, scabies, wound infections).

Respiratory Isolation

  • Isolation used to prevent transmission of infectious diseases spread by airborne droplets (e.g., measles, pneumonia, TB).

Body Substance Isolation (BSI)

  • To prevent transmission of pathogens via bodily fluids (e.g., blood, urine, secretions).

Bloodborne Diseases

  • Precautions to prevent transmission of diseases spread through blood (e.g., Malaria, viral Hepatitis c and B, AIDS).
  • Prevention strategies include avoiding contact with blood, proper handling of contaminated instruments, and using protective barriers.

Use of Contaminated Instruments

  • Dispose of contaminated instruments properly (e.g., needles, syringes, toothbrushes, shaving implements, etc.).
  • Wash hands carefully after contact with contaminated objects.
  • Use individual equipment for each patient.

Daily Living and Medical Asepsis

  • Actions to prevent the spread of microorganisms in daily life (e.g., covering mouth while coughing, sneezing, washing hands before and after eating).
  • Proper storage and handling of food and utensils.

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Description

This quiz covers essential concepts related to medical asepsis and infection control. You'll explore definitions of key terms such as pathogens, infection, and nosocomial infections, as well as the importance of aseptic techniques in a healthcare setting. Test your understanding of these vital practices in nursing.

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