Microbiology and Infection Control

Study Notes

Learning Outcome 1

Reinfection occurs when a person who has had an infection becomes infected again.
Barrier is a process that blocks the spread of bacteria.
Precautions are protocols used to prevent transmission of contagious infective agents.
Communicable describes anything that can be transferred from one person or place to another.
Disinfectant is a chemical substance that kills microbes; used only on objects, not humans.
Pathogen is a disease-causing bacteria.
Cross-infection happens when infection is spread between individuals infected with different disease-producing microbes.
Micro-organism is a living thing too small to be seen except with a microscope. It's synonymous with microbe and plays a role in various environments.
Germicide is a substance that kills germs or microorganisms.
Contaminate means to be made unclean, unsterile, and contain or be suspected of containing disease-producing microbes.
Asepsis denotes the absence of disease-causing bacteria; a state of being infection-free.
Bacteria are tiny units of living matter capable of causing disease by reproducing and multiplying.
Infection represents an invasion of the body by a microbe capable of causing a disease when it reproduces and multiplies.
Nonpathogenic refers to something that is not capable of producing disease.
Medical asepsis involves the removal of microbes that are able to cause disease, using a clean technique.
Carrier describes a person who shows no signs of illness but carries microbes that can spread to others.
Antiseptic is a chemical substance or process that kills most microbes.
Antiseptic is a chemical substance that inhibits the growth and reproduction of microbes but doesn't kill them, and is not toxic to humans.

Learning Outcome 2

Pressure sores are also known as decubitus ulcers.
Pressure areas can develop into decubitus ulcers.
Not all clients in wheelchairs will develop a pressure area.
Moisture does not cause the skin to become tough; it makes the skin more prone to breakdown.
Obese clients are at risk for developing pressure areas.
Thin clients are at risk for developing pressure areas.
Our skin becomes less elastic as we age.
Shearing force occurs when the skin is pulled in one direction while the underlying tissue remains stationary.
Friction happens when the body slides down, and the skin is rubbed against the surface.
Someone who is paralyzed may have decreased sensation to pain.
Vitamin C is essential for skin growth and repair.
Elderly individuals have slightly cooler skin than younger individuals.
Turgor that takes a long time to return to normal can indicate dehydration.
Wrinkles on bed linens are a concern as they can cause pressure sores.
Do not massage a reddened area as it can damage the tissue further.
Soap can dry and irritate the skin.

Learning Outcome 4

Bedmaking involves handling bed linens properly to prevent the spread of infection.
Body mechanics are crucial when making a bed.
The three types of beds include:
- Occupied beds: The client remains in bed while the linen is changed.
- Unoccupied closed beds: The client will stay up for a while, and the bedsheets are pulled up to the pillow for later use.
- Unoccupied open beds: Used when the client is returning to bed shortly.
Bed positions:
- Flat: The bed is in the horizontal position with no raised head or foot (usual sleeping position).
- Low Fowlers: The head of the bed is raised 15-30 degrees (semi-sitting position).
- Semi Fowlers: The head of the bed is raised 30-45 degrees (higher semi-sitting position).
- High Fowlers: The head of the bed is raised 45-90 degrees (highest semi-sitting/sitting position).
- Trendelenburg: The head of the bed is lower than the foot of the bed.
- Reverse Trendelenburg: The head of the bed is raised higher than the foot of the bed.

Learning Outcome 6

Edentulous describes a person who has no teeth.
Dentition refers to the condition of one's teeth.
Cavity is a hole in a tooth.
Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums.
Periodontal disease is a more serious condition that can develop if gingivitis is not treated.
Tongue piercings can cause recession, which leads to gingivitis or periodontal disease.
Consistent brushing will help decrease gum bleeding after a few days.
Xerostomia refers to a consistently dry mouth.
Multiple courses of antibiotics can put you at risk for thrush.
Poor dental hygiene increases the risk of developing a heart condition.