Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the definition of Asepsis?
What is the definition of Asepsis?
- Absence of pathogenic microorganisms (correct)
- Microbe capable of causing disease
- An object that harbors microorganisms
- Presence of pathogenic microorganisms
What is a pathogen?
What is a pathogen?
Microbe capable of causing disease
Define fomite.
Define fomite.
An inanimate object that harbors microorganisms
What does bioburden refer to?
What does bioburden refer to?
What does it mean to be cross-contaminated?
What does it mean to be cross-contaminated?
Define event-related sterility.
Define event-related sterility.
What does sterile mean?
What does sterile mean?
What is a spore?
What is a spore?
Who is known as the 'Father of Bacteriology'?
Who is known as the 'Father of Bacteriology'?
What surgical principle did Joseph Lister establish?
What surgical principle did Joseph Lister establish?
Define Escherichia coli.
Define Escherichia coli.
What is Staphylococcus aureus known for?
What is Staphylococcus aureus known for?
What virus causes chronic disease without jaundice?
What virus causes chronic disease without jaundice?
What is Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease?
What is Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease?
What does Streptococcus pyogenes cause?
What does Streptococcus pyogenes cause?
What is Pseudomonas aeruginosa?
What is Pseudomonas aeruginosa?
What does Clostridium perfringens cause?
What does Clostridium perfringens cause?
What is Mycobacterium tuberculosis?
What is Mycobacterium tuberculosis?
Define Candida albicans.
Define Candida albicans.
What is a major impact of Helicobacter?
What is a major impact of Helicobacter?
What does disinfection do?
What does disinfection do?
What does antisepsis target?
What does antisepsis target?
What does sterilization achieve?
What does sterilization achieve?
When does terminal cleaning take place?
When does terminal cleaning take place?
What does 'strike-through' describe in an aseptic context?
What does 'strike-through' describe in an aseptic context?
What does nosocomial refer to?
What does nosocomial refer to?
What are the most common nosocomial infections?
What are the most common nosocomial infections?
What to do when a sterile metal double basin is opened and water droplets are inside?
What to do when a sterile metal double basin is opened and water droplets are inside?
When opening a sterile wrapper, which side should the unsterile person open first?
When opening a sterile wrapper, which side should the unsterile person open first?
Inanimate objects that can be vectors for infections are called what?
Inanimate objects that can be vectors for infections are called what?
What is the body's first line of defense against infection?
What is the body's first line of defense against infection?
Is it permissible to cover a sterile table for later use?
Is it permissible to cover a sterile table for later use?
How are infections most frequently spread?
How are infections most frequently spread?
What is the purpose of the surgical hand scrub?
What is the purpose of the surgical hand scrub?
Which pathogen is most commonly associated with surgical wound infection?
Which pathogen is most commonly associated with surgical wound infection?
What term is used for methods used to prevent contamination of the sterile field?
What term is used for methods used to prevent contamination of the sterile field?
Where do Escherichia coli normally reside in the body?
Where do Escherichia coli normally reside in the body?
What shape do bacilli typically have?
What shape do bacilli typically have?
What is called the contamination of a person or object?
What is called the contamination of a person or object?
What term describes bacteria that require oxygen to sustain life?
What term describes bacteria that require oxygen to sustain life?
Instruments used on the skin should not be:
Instruments used on the skin should not be:
What part of a sterile, draped table is considered sterile?
What part of a sterile, draped table is considered sterile?
Once sterile drapes have been applied, they should not be:
Once sterile drapes have been applied, they should not be:
What must be checked for integrity prior to opening sterile packages?
What must be checked for integrity prior to opening sterile packages?
Where is the sterile gown considered sterile?
Where is the sterile gown considered sterile?
Members of the surgical team should only sit when the entire surgical procedure will be performed sitting down?
Members of the surgical team should only sit when the entire surgical procedure will be performed sitting down?
A nonsterile person must maintain a minimum of how many inches from any sterile item, area, or field to prevent contamination?
A nonsterile person must maintain a minimum of how many inches from any sterile item, area, or field to prevent contamination?
When in doubt, what should you do?
When in doubt, what should you do?
What device accomplishes steam or gas sterilization?
What device accomplishes steam or gas sterilization?
What is a biological indicator?
What is a biological indicator?
What is the purpose of the Bowie-Dick test?
What is the purpose of the Bowie-Dick test?
What is cavitation?
What is cavitation?
What is chelation in instrument cleaning?
What is chelation in instrument cleaning?
What is the chemical indicator used for?
What is the chemical indicator used for?
Define colonization in the context of microbiology.
Define colonization in the context of microbiology.
What does contaminated mean?
What does contaminated mean?
What is an endoscope?
What is an endoscope?
What is immediate-use steam sterilization?
What is immediate-use steam sterilization?
What does immersion refer to in cleaning?
What does immersion refer to in cleaning?
What does integrity indicate?
What does integrity indicate?
What is immediate-level disinfection?
What is immediate-level disinfection?
What is a Julian date?
What is a Julian date?
What does lumen refer to?
What does lumen refer to?
What is permeability?
What is permeability?
What is a sterile field?
What is a sterile field?
What does SSI stand for?
What does SSI stand for?
What is an ultrasonic cleaner?
What is an ultrasonic cleaner?
The most common transmitted pathogen in the operating room is HIV.
The most common transmitted pathogen in the operating room is HIV.
Bacterial meningitis may be caused by aerobic gram-negative cocci called N. meningitides.
Bacterial meningitis may be caused by aerobic gram-negative cocci called N. meningitides.
The skin, hair, and nares of the operating room personnel are reservoirs of bacteria that may cause an SSI.
The skin, hair, and nares of the operating room personnel are reservoirs of bacteria that may cause an SSI.
Infection spread by contaminated instruments is an example of direct contact transmission.
Infection spread by contaminated instruments is an example of direct contact transmission.
Increased age and obesity play a vital role in the risk of patients contracting an SSI.
Increased age and obesity play a vital role in the risk of patients contracting an SSI.
Semicritical items must be sterile and free from spores prior to use.
Semicritical items must be sterile and free from spores prior to use.
Contact time and the amount of bioburden on an item do not influence the efficiency of disinfectants.
Contact time and the amount of bioburden on an item do not influence the efficiency of disinfectants.
Glutaraldehyde requires a minimum exposure time of 20 minutes to disinfect an item.
Glutaraldehyde requires a minimum exposure time of 20 minutes to disinfect an item.
Instruments should always be soaked in saline to initiate the cleaning process prior to the end of the case.
Instruments should always be soaked in saline to initiate the cleaning process prior to the end of the case.
The ultrasonic cleaner uses the process of cavitation for cleaning instruments.
The ultrasonic cleaner uses the process of cavitation for cleaning instruments.
Is a UTI considered an SSI?
Is a UTI considered an SSI?
What is the most common cause of UTI in hospitals?
What is the most common cause of UTI in hospitals?
What moral/ethical concept should you use to make the 'right' decision?
What moral/ethical concept should you use to make the 'right' decision?
If you make the wrong choice when caring for a patient (using a pack that has a hole in it), what could potentially happen?
If you make the wrong choice when caring for a patient (using a pack that has a hole in it), what could potentially happen?
When opening an item, you notice a small hole in the wrapper. What is the correct decision to make?
When opening an item, you notice a small hole in the wrapper. What is the correct decision to make?
Study Notes
Asepsis and Pathogens
- Asepsis: Absence of pathogenic microorganisms, crucial for preventing infections during procedures.
- Pathogen: Microbes capable of causing diseases, vital to identify for infection control.
- Fomite: Inanimate objects that can harbor microorganisms, posing a contamination risk.
Microbial Contamination and Control
- Bioburden: Refers to the number of microbes or organic debris on an object; important to assess for sterilization.
- Cross-contamination: Occurs when contamination spreads from one person or object to another, a key focus in infection prevention.
Sterilization Concepts
- Sterile: Describes items free from all microorganisms, including spores, necessary for safe surgical procedures.
- Event-related sterility: Sterility depends on handling instead of elapsed time, emphasizing the importance of careful procedures.
Key Microorganisms
- Staphylococcus aureus: Most common pathogen associated with surgical site infections (SSIs) found on skin.
- Escherichia coli: Can cause infections if outside the intestine; commonly associated with urinary tract infections (UTIs).
- Candida albicans: Opportunistic fungus that poses risks to immunocompromised individuals.
Infection Prevention Techniques
- Disinfection: Most microorganisms on inanimate surfaces are destroyed but not all; necessary for cleaning tools and environments.
- Antisepsis: Similar to disinfection but targets skin and mucous membranes, removing most pathogens.
- Sterilization: Complete destruction of microorganisms, including spores, critical for surgical instruments.
Surgical Protocols
- Terminal cleaning: Performed at the end of the day to ensure all surfaces are sanitized.
- Surgical hand scrub: Aims to remove as many microorganisms as possible from hands before surgery.
- Sterile technique: Refers to methods preventing contamination of the sterile field during procedures.
Instrumentation and Usage
- Autoclave: Device used for steam or gas sterilization of instruments, ensuring safety against pathogens.
- Biological Indicator: Tests the effectiveness of sterilization processes, essential for verifying sterilized items.
- Immediate-use steam sterilization: Quickly sterilizes unwrapped items, crucial for urgent situations.
Compliance and Safety Practices
- Surgical conscience: Ethical framework guiding medical professionals to make safe and appropriate decisions.
- Integrity of sterile packages: Must be checked before opening; any breach in integrity could lead to contamination.
- 12 inches rule: Nonsterile individuals must maintain this distance from sterile items to prevent contamination.
Common Misconceptions and Truths
- HIV is not the most transmitted pathogen in operating rooms; Staphylococcus aureus holds that distinction.
- Immediate immersion cleaning and proper handling of surgical instruments prevent contamination.
- The presence of a hole in a sterile wrapper mandates discarding the pack to maintain strict aseptic conditions.
Infection Types and Implications
- Nosocomial infections: Infections acquired in healthcare facilities, with UTIs being the most common.
- SSIs: Surgical wound infections acquired during operations, emphasizing the need for stringent infection control measures.
- Increased risk factors: Age and obesity significantly elevate the risk of contracting SSIs during surgical procedures.
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Description
This quiz covers key terms related to preventing disease transmission in perioperative settings. It includes essential definitions such as 'Asepsis', 'Pathogen', and 'Fomite'. Ideal for students studying surgical practices and infection control.
