Asepsis & Infection Control (Chap 25) Flashcards by Abby Thomas

Transmission-based isolation precautions are used for patients in hospitals with suspected infection with pathogens that can be transmitted by airborne, droplet, or contact routes.

A. True
B. False

True

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Infection control measures supported by evidence that when implemented together improve patient outcomes are known as:

A. policies
B. standards
C. requirements
D. bundles

Bundles

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A health care—associated infection (HAI) refers to an infection that originates or takes place while in a health care facility.

A. True
B. False

True

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Carriers that transmit organisms from one living thing to another, such as mosquitoes, ticks, and lice, are known as:

A. host
B. reservoirs
C. portals
D. vectors

Vectors

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The natural habitat of microorganisms, where growth and multiplication occur, is known as the:

Reservoir

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Viruses are the most significant and most commonly observed infection-causing agents in health care institutions.

A. True
B. False

False

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Prescribing antibiotics at an appropriate dose and only when indicated can help reduce the incidence of infections such as C. Difficile and those who have developed resistance to one or more classes of antibiotics.

A. True
B. False

True

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Recent data suggest that the average baseline compliance rate for handwashing health care workers is approximately 75%.

A. True
B. False

False

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Acquiring disease via a vector or fomite is an example of:

A. direct contact
B. portal contact
C. indirect contact
D. colonization

Indirect contact

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When caring for a patient who has an infection such as rubella, mumps, or diphtheria, which of the following precautions would be appropriate?

A. contact precautions
B. droplet precautions
C. airborne precautions
D. exposure precautions

Droplet precautions

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Which of the following is the most significant and commonly found infection-causing agent in healthcare institutions?

A. Bacteria
B. Fungi
C. Viruses
D. Mold

A. Bacteria

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Which one of the following infectious agents or diseases may be spread by touching a contaminated inanimate article?

A. Rabies
B. Giardia
C. E. coli
D. Influenza

D. Influenza

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In which of the following stages of infection is the patient most contagious?
A. Incubation period
B. Prodromal stage
C. Full stage of illness
D. Convalescent period

B. Prodromal stage

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Tell whether the following statement is true or false.
Soaps and detergents (nonantimicrobial agents) are considered adequate for routine mechanical cleansing of the hands and removal of most transient microorganisms.

A. True
B. False

A. True

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After inserting nasogastric tubes, a nurse found that the gloves remained clean. Because her hands were clean when she put her gloves on and the gloves weren’t dirty, it is not necessary to perform hand
hygiene on non-soiled hands after gloves are removed.

A. True
B. False

B. False

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Standard precautions should be used when caring for a noninfectious, postoperative patient who is vomiting blood.

A. True
B. False

A. True

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What are the two main types of infections?

Nosocomial & Iatrogenic

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What type of asepsis is disinfection associated with?

Medical asepsis

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What type of asepsis is sterilization associated with?

Surgical asepsis

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What is the typical order of the infection cycle?

A. portal of entry
B. portal of exit
C. reservoir
D. means of transmission
E. reservoir
F. infectious agent
G. susceptible host

F, C, B, D, A, G

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Can antibiotics be used to treat viral infections?

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What factors are associated with affecting the potential of an organism to produce disease? (hint: there are 4!)

The number of microorganisms
The virulence of microorganism
Immunocompetency
Length and intimacy of contact

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What are the main infectious agents?

Bacteria: the most prevalent and common infection-causing agent in
healthcare institutions
● Virus: smallest of all microorganisms
○ Causes infections including the common cold
○ Does not respond to antibiotics
● Fungi: plantlike organisms
○ Can cause infection and are present in the air, soil, and water.
○ Ex: molds and yeasts

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Explain colonization vs infection.

Colonization - organism present in the body with no signs of infection (C. diff)
Infection - disease state due to pathogens

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Names as many reservoirs as you can (brain dump first)

Humans - Carriers Animals – Vectors Soil – Vehicles Food, water, milk -Vehicles Inanimate objects – Vehicles or Fomites

What reservoirs are considered 'vehicles?'

Soil, food, water, milk, and inanimate objects

What type of reservoir are inanimate objects said to be?

Vehicles or fomites

Are animals considered to be carriers?

No. They are known as vectors.

What are some common portals of exit? (brain dump)

P.S. This is how it gets out of the host to be transferred. - Respiratory - Gastrointestinal - Genitourinary tracts - Breaks in skin - Blood and tissue

What are the three main means of transmission?

Contact Airborne Droplet

Which is larger. Droplet or airborne?

Droplet! - examples include products of coughing and sneezing Airborne is smaller and has the ability to travel further

Which of the following describes direct contact transmission? A) Using shared utensils B) Touching or kissing C) Being in the same room with an infected person D) Using a doorknob touched by an infected person

B. Touching or kissing

What is the term for nonhuman organisms that transmit pathogens? A) Vectors B) Carriers C) Fomites D) Susceptible hosts

A. Vectors

Which of the following is an example of indirect contact transmission? A) Kissing B) Sharing a drink C) Touching a contaminated surface D) Sexual intercourse

C. Touching a contaminated surface

An example of an infection transmitted via vehicle:

Influenza

Fomites are best described as: A) Living carriers of pathogens B) Organisms that transmit diseases C) Inanimate objects that can carry infections D) Individuals who show symptoms of illness

C. Inanimate objects that can carry infections

What is a common characteristic of carrier transmission? A) It only occurs through sexual contact B) It involves direct physical interaction C) It occurs in close proximity to a susceptible host D) It is exclusively linked to the use of fomites

C. It occurs in close proximity to a susceptible host

What is the primary difference between direct contact and indirect contact transmission? A) Direct contact involves nonhuman organisms, while indirect contact does not. B) Direct contact requires physical interaction between individuals, while indirect contact involves the use of objects or surfaces. C) Direct contact is only related to airborne pathogens, while indirect contact is not. D) Direct contact can only occur through sexual activity, whereas indirect contact can occur through any object.

B. Direct contact requires physical interaction between individuals, while indirect contact involves the use of objects or surfaces.

What is the bod's defense against infection?

1. Normal flora (colonization resistance) 2. Inflammatory response 3. Immune response

What are some factors affecting host susceptibility? (brain dump)

 Intact skin and mucous membranes  Normal pH levels (blood - 7.4, saliva - 6.5-6.7)  Body’s white blood cells  Age, sex, race, hereditary factors  Immunization, natural or acquired  Fatigue, climate, nutritional and general health status  Stress  Use of invasive or indwelling medical devises

Which of the following factors is primarily a physical barrier that helps reduce susceptibility to infection? A) White blood cells B) Immunization C) Intact skin and mucous membranes D) Nutritional status

C. Intact skin and mucus membranes

How do age and sex influence host susceptibility to infections? A) They determine the effectiveness of white blood cells. B) They can affect hormonal levels and immune response. C) They have no impact on susceptibility. D) They only influence skin health.

B. They can affect hormonal levels and immune response.

The use of invasive or indwelling medical devices can increase susceptibility to infection primarily because: A) They enhance immune response. B) They create direct pathways for pathogens to enter the body. C) They improve nutritional status. D) They maintain normal pH levels.

B. They create direct pathways for pathogens to enter the body.

What are the factors associated with each stage of infections? (brain dump)

Incubation period—organisms growing and multiplying Prodromal stage—person is most infectious, vague and nonspecific signs of disease Full stage of illness—presence of specific signs and symptoms of disease Convalescent period—recovery from the infection

Incubation period

Incubation period—organisms growing and multiplying

Prodromal stage

Prodromal stage—person is most infectious, vague and nonspecific signs of disease Malaise - general feeling of discomfort, illness, or uneasiness Possible low fever, fatigue

Full stage of illness

Full stage of illness—presence of specific signs and symptoms of disease

Convalescent period

Convalescent period—recovery from the infection

What kind of lab data indicates an infection?

- Elevated WBC (4, 500 - 10, 000/mcL) - Increased specific WBC - Elevated ESR (blood cells cluster more) 0 - 20 W 0- 15M - Pathogen present in urine, blood, sputum, cultures

Define the health care associated infections

Nosocomial - from the hospital Iatrogenic - from a treatment or diagnostic procedure

All nosocomial infections are iatrogenic A. True b. False

B. False

What are the main causes of nosocomial infections?

1. The use of invasive devices 2. Urinary catheter / Venous access catheter

Brain dump some antibiotic resistant organisms that are developed in hospitals.

● Clostridium difficile (C.Diff)/Colitis ● Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ● Vancomycin intermediate staphylococcus aureus (VISA) ● Vancomycin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) ● Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE)

What are the two types of bacteria flora?

● Transient: attached loosely on skin, removed with relative ease - removed by medical asepsis ● Resident: found in creases in skin, requires friction with brush to remove - removed by surgical asepsis

What is the most effective way to stop the spread of infection?

Hand hygiene - handwashing w soap and water - antiseptic hand rubs - surgical hand antisepsis

What are the synonyms for medical asepsis?

clean technique, disinfection

What are the synonyms for surgical asepsis?

aseptic technique, sterilization

What is involved in the clean technique?

- routine handwashing - non-sterile gloves for intact skin, mucus membranes/ dirty items

When is the clean technique appropriate?

○ Taking blood pressures ○ Examining patients ○ Feeding patients

What is involved in the aseptic technique?

- sterile gloves - for invasive procedures - antiseptic is on patient's skin (e.g. alcohol) - used in a clean area

When is the aseptic technique appropriate?

○ Placing an intravenous catheter ○ Placing a urinary catheter

What is included in the Tier 1 standard precautions?

This is used for all patients ○ Hand hygiene ○ Wear clean non sterile gloves when touch blood, body fluids, secretions, and non-intact skin ○ PPE ○ Respiratory Hygiene/cough etiquette ○ Use safe injection practices ■ Ex: single dose vials ○ Avoid recapping used needles

PPE - what's that?

●Gloves ● Gowns ● Masks ○ Regular and N95 respirator ■ N95 respirators filter 95% of air ● Protective eye gear

What PPE should be removed first?

Gloves

What is the last action after removing PPE?

Hand hygiene

What is included in the Tier 2 Transmission- Based precautions?

- Contact precautions - Droplet precautions - Airborne precautions

When are transmission-based precautions used?

It is used in addition to standard precautions when patients are suspected of having an infection.

Contact precautions include:

- Private room - PPE e.g. multidrug resistant organisms

Droplet precautions include:

- Private room - PPE e.g. mumps, rubella, diphtheria, adenovirus

Airborne precautions include:

- Private room - PPE - Negative air pressure - N95 e.g. tuberculosis, measles, varicella (chickenpox)

Asepsis & Infection Control (Chap 25) Flashcards

To become a master at the topic (70 cards)