Medical & Surgical Asepsis

Question 1

What causes infection?

Answer 1

Microorganisms

Question 2

Under what conditions do microorganisms grow and spread?

Answer 2

They grow and spread in dark moist areas that are close to the human body temperature (98.6 F)

Question 3

What are aerobes?

Answer 3

Microorganisms that need oxygen.

Question 4

What are anaerobes?

Answer 4

Microorganisms that do NOT need oxygen to survive.

Question 5

Define Pathogens

Answer 5

Microbes that cause disease

Question 6

Define Nonpathogens

Answer 6

Microbes that are harmless

Question 7

Give a few examples of pathogens

Answer 7

Bacteria, Fungi, Protozoa, Viruses

Question 8

Define Bloodborne Pathogens and explain how they are dangerous

Answer 8

They are pathogens that are found in the blood, and they can produce or spread diseases. For example, if a person carries a bloodborne pathogen, and they donate their blood. Then the person receiving the blood will also get the disease.

Question 9

Cycle of Infection

Answer 9

Reservoir Host
Means of Exit
Means of Transmission
Means of Entrance
Susceptible Host

Question 10

Reservoir Host

Answer 10

Carrier of pathogen, allows pathogen to incubate and multiply

Question 11

Means of Exit

Answer 11

Pathogens leave the host through bodily fluids (ex; blood, tears, sweat, saliva, feces, urine, vaginal secretions).

Question 12

Means of Transmission

Answer 12

Pathogens are transmitted by air, physical contact, contaminated food, human/animal carriers, insects, soil, and fomites (inanimate objects).

Question 13

Means of Entrance

Answer 13

Pathogen enters a new host through the respiratory, genitourinary, or gastrointestinal system; or through the eyes, ears, and open wounds.

Question 14

Susceptible Host

Answer 14

The new host starts the cycle again

Question 15

The Integumentary System

Answer 15

First line of defense: the largest organ (skin) acts as a barrier to protect your body

Question 16

The Immune System

Answer 16

Second Line of Defense:
- contains lymph nodes throughout the body
- acts like a filter to remove pathogens from the blood

Question 17

Define Immunity

Answer 17

Immunity: the ability to fight off disease

*Will Rewrite this section soon
- Cell-mediated: T4 lymphocytes & helper cells are the dominant players
- Humoral: B cells are responsible for antibody production

Question 18

General Health State

Answer 18

Healthy individuals are more likely to defend themselves against pathogens (ex: regular exercise, nutrition, etc)

Question 19

Other Natural Defenses

Answer 19

Mucous membranes
Cilia
Respiratory System
Acidic pH
Circulatory System

Question 20

What is the purpose of a Mucous Membrane?

Answer 20

lines body cavity and passages serving as a barrier for microorganisms, reduces microbial growth

Question 21

Cilia

Answer 21

Hair-like projections that traps/prevents microorganisms from entering the body further

Question 22

How does our Respiratory System protect us from pathogens?

Answer 22

Coughing, sneezing, and so on to remove pathogens that are inhaled

Question 23

Acidic pH

Answer 23

Urine expels microorganisms

Question 24

Circulatory System

Answer 24

Certain cells destroy pathogens

Question 25

Define Asepsis

Answer 25

The practice of maintaining a pathogen free environment

Question 26

What are some practices of Medical Asepsis?

Answer 26

Keeping surfaces/objects clean
Properly disposing biological waste materials
Ensuring adequate lighting & ventilation
Wearing minimal jewelry
Wearing PPE

Question 27

Define Surgical Asepsis

Answer 27

A pathogen free environment that kills and eliminates all microogranisms

Question 28

OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health)

Answer 28

• Regulates worker safety in all industries
• Reduce hazards
• Maintain health programs for employees
• Monitors & enforces regulations

Question 29

CDC (Center of Disease Control & Prevention)

Answer 29

• Studies/monitors disease
• Prevention strategies
• Protecting public health (education, immunizations, etc)

Question 30

Universal Precautions & Body Substance Isolation

Answer 30

Assume that all blood products, human tissues, and body fluids are potentially infectious.
Assume all body substances are infectious and must be isolated to prevent transmission of disease

Question 31

Transmission-based Precautions

Answer 31

For patients that are (or potentially) infected, it is required to have a barrier protection (PPE).

Question 32

Decontamination methods and their purpose

Answer 32

Sanitation: removes contaminated material from equipment, inactivates pathogens
Disinfectant: destroys some pathogens, used to clean surfaces or equipment
Sterilization: destroys all pathogens including spores

Question 33

Name two processes used for sanitizing medical instruments

Answer 33

Manual Sanitation & Ultrasonic Sanitation

Question 34

What are the levels for disinfectant?

Answer 34

Low: kills most bacteria and viruses
Medium: kills mycobacteria
High: kills all microorganisms
Notes: none eliminate bacterial spores

Question 35

Define Medical Asepsis

Answer 35

The practice of preventing microorganisms and reducing the spread of disease