Infection Control | Chapter 14 Flashcards
Describe the different types of pathogens that can cause disease
Microbes are GENERALLY classified as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.
4 primary types
- Bacteria
- Viruses
- Fungi
- Parasites
also
- Helminths (worms)
- Protozoa
Discuss the conditions that promote the growth of pathogens
Most pathogens prefer an environment that is warm, moist, dark, and with proper amounts of oxygen.
Define “microbe” and “pathogen”
Microbes: Living organisms that cannot be seen with the naked eye
Pathogen: A microbe that can cause disease
Explain the defense mechanisms the body uses to fight infection
Immune System:
Nonspecific Defense Mechanisms
- Help to protect us from all infections
Healthy: skin, mucous membranes
Infection present/immune response: increased blood flow/white blood cells, fever
Specific Defense Mechanisms - Help to protect us from specific infections - antibodies
(Medications)
Define “antibodies”
Specialized proteins produced by the immune system that help our bodies to fight off specific pathogens, produced after exposure to those pathogens (via previous infection or vaccination)
Name, define, and describe the 4 types of transmission
- airborne - infections transmitted through the air
Infections: TB, measles, and chickenpox - direct - infections transmitted through contact with an infected person or objects that the infected person has used.
Infections: Herpes and conjunctivitis - oral-fecal - infections are transmitted when feces containing a pathogen contaminate food or water that is then consumed by another person.
Infections: Hepatitis A, hepatitis E, and some types of parasitic
infections - bloodborne - infections transmitted when blood or body fluids from an infected person enter the bloodstream of an uninfected person
Identify body fluids most likely to contain bloodborne pathogens
Blood, semen, vaginal secretions, wound drainage, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), amniotic fluid, breast milk
List and describe 6 key conditions that MUST be met for infection to spread
Pathogen - microbe that can cause disease >
Reservoir - place for the pathogen to live and grow >
Portal of Exit - way for the pathogen to leave the reservoir >
Method of Transmission - a way for the pathogen to get from a reservoir to a susceptible host >
Portal of Entry - way for the pathogen to enter the host >
Susceptible Host
Explain how the chain of infection can be broken
Eliminating any one of the six key elements breaks the chain and prevents the spread of infection.
Discuss ways that infection can be transmitted within the healthcare system
Increased exposure to pathogens as well as increased likelihood of the 4 major risk factors
4 major risk factors:
very young or old, poor general health, stress, or an indwelling medical device)
List the 4 major methods of infection control
- Medical Asepsis
Goal = remove pathogens from surfaces (incl. hands)
Process = using soap and water, heat, antiseptics, or disinfectants to remove pathogens - Surgical Asepsis
Goal = sterilize surgical instruments before they enter a person’s body - Barrier Methods
Goal = create a barrier
Process = use PPE (in the order you put it on - gown, mask, protective eyewear, gloves. Reverse order for taking off) - Isolation Precautions
- Standard precautions: proper hand hygiene, gown, mask/face shield/goggles, proper sharp disposal, proper cleaning of body fluids + 3 new guidelines: proper cough etiquette, safe injection practices, and infection control for special lumbar procedures
- Transmission based precautions:
Airborne precautions
Droplet precautions
Contact precautions
Describe the 4 techniques that make up the practice of medical asepsis
Sanitization - basic cleanliness
ex. hand-washing
Antisepsis - use of mild chemicals on skin ex. alcohol
Disinfection - use of strong chemicals on non-living objects
ex. bleach
Sterilization - use of pressurized steam heat or very strong chemicals on surgical instruments
Give examples of when you should practice proper hand hygiene and explain why it’s the single most important method of preventing the spread of infection
Proper hand hygiene helps prevent the transfer of transient flora (microbes picked up by touching contaminated objects or people with infectious disease) and reduce the risk of HIAs. It must be performed thoroughly, properly, and consistently.
Visibly soiled hand: Use soap and water.
Hands are not visibly soiled: Use alcohol-based hand rub.
Practice proper hand hygiene whenever you:
- arrive at your facility
- hands are in contact with body fluids
- after caring patients with certain infections, such as C. diff
- before a break or end of shift
- before and after eating, drinking, smoking, or inserting contact lenses
- After coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose, or using the bathroom
State how PPE is used in infection control
PPE is the barrier method of infection control and includes gown, mask, protective eyewear, and gloves.
Explain how isolation precautions are used to help prevent the spread of infection
Isolation precautions are guidelines that we follow to contain pathogens and limit others’ exposure to them as much as possible.
