Chapter 24: Asepsis & Infection Control

Question 1

What are the five key components of the Scientific Knowledge Base regarding the Nature of Infection?

Answer 1

1) Infection
2) Colonization
3) Communicable Disease
4) Symptomatic
5) Asymptomatic

Question 2

Chain of Infection

Answer 2

see attached image

Question 3

Chain of Infection (cont.)

Answer 3

see attached image

Question 4

What are the six points in the Infection Cycle?

Answer 4

1) Infectious Agents
2) Reservoir
3) Portal of Exit
4) Means of Transmission
5) Portal of Entry
6) Susceptible Host

Question 5

What are 4 main Infectious Agents?

Answer 5

• Bacteria - the most significant and most commonly observed infection-causing agents in health care institutions, e.g. strep throat, UTI, impetigo (Tx - antibiotic)
• Viruses - Viruses cause many infections, e.g., common cold, hepatitis B and C, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (Tx - antiviral, Not treated with abx).
• Fungi - plant-like organisms (molds and yeasts) that also can cause infection, present in the air, soil, and water, e.g., athlete’s foot, ringworm, and yeast infections (Tx antifungal)
• Protozoa/Parasites - organisms that live on or in a host and rely on it for nourishment, e.g., Giardiasis

Question 6

Not all organisms to which a person is exposed cause disease. An organism’s potential to produce disease in a person depends on a variety of factors, including: (three factors)

Answer 6

1) Number of organisms
2) Virulence of the organism, or its ability to cause disease
3) Host Resistance: Competence of the person’s immune system

Question 7

What are the four Stages of Infection?

Answer 7

1) Incubation
2) Prodromal
3) Full Stage of Illness
4) Convalescent

*see attached image

Question 8

What are the two categories of infection?

Answer 8

1) Localized - pain, tenderness, redness at site
2) Systemic - fever, malaise, lethargy

Question 9

What are 4 defense mechanisms against infection?

Answer 9

1) Skin and Mucous Membranes
2) Normal Flora
3) Inflammatory Response
4) Immune Response

Question 10

List up to 8 Factors Affecting the Risk for Infection

Answer 10

1) Integrity of the skin and mucous membrane
2) Normal pH levels
3) Body’s white blood cells
4) Age, hereditary factors
5) Immunization, natural or acquired
6) Fatigue, climate, nutritional and general health status
7) Stress
8) Use of invasive or indwelling medical devices

Question 11

What is Medical Asepsis? What are 4 ways to promote Medical Asepsis?

Answer 11

It is the absence of disease-producing microorganisms & using methods to prevent infection.

• 1) Clean Technique
• 2) Hand Hygiene
• 3) Barrier Techniques
• 4) Routine Environment Cleaning

Question 12

List the Five Moments for Hand Hygiene

Answer 12

1) Before touching a patient
2) Before a clean or aseptic procedure
3) After a body fluid exposure risk
4) After touching a patient
5) After touching patient surroundings

Question 13

What are Health Care Associated Infections (HAIs)?

Answer 13

An infection that was not present on admission to a health care institution but develops during the course of treatment for other conditions (nosocomial). Occur as a result of invasive procedures, antibiotic administration, presence of drug resistant organisms, and breaks in infection prevention.

Question 14

What are the three main sources of Health Care Associated Infections?

Answer 14

1) Exogenous - developing from outside or external factors
2) Endogenous - developing from an internal cause
3) Iatrogenic - caused by direct medical examination or treatment

Question 15

What are the 4 categories responsible for the majority of Hospital-Acquired Infections in Acute Care Hospital Settings?

Answer 15

1) Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI)
2) Surgical Site Infections (SSI)
3) Central Line Associated Infections (CLABSI)
4) Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP)

Question 16

Disinfection vs Sterilization

Answer 16

A process that eliminates many or all microorganisms, with the exception of bacterial spores from inanimate objects VS The complete elimination or destruction of all microorganisms, including spores

Question 17

List up to 8 Infection Prevention and Control actions that promote Patient Safety

Answer 17

1) Separate personal care items
2) Handling exudate
3) Wound cleaning
4) Cough etiquette
5) Dirty linen
6) Maintain skin integrity
7) Perineal care after toileting
8) Urinary catheters and drainage sets

Question 18

List the 3 main aspects of Standard Precautions

Answer 18

1) Used in the care of all hospitalized patients regardless of their diagnosis or possible infection status
2) Apply to all blood, all body fluids, secretions, and excretions except sweat, nonintact skin, and mucous membranes
3) New additions are respiratory hygeine/cough etiquette, safe injection practices, and directions to use a mask when performing high-risk prolonged procedures involving spinal canal punctures

Question 19

List the 4 main forms of PPE

Answer 19

1) Gloves
2) Gowns
3) Masks
4) Protective Eyewear

Question 20

What is Isolation and what are the three main types of Isolation Precautions?

Answer 20

Isolation is the separation and restriction of movement of ill persons wtih contagious diseases.

• 1) Standard Precautions
• 2) Transmission-Based Precaution
• 3) Environment Precautions

Question 21

What is Surgical Asepsis?

Answer 21

Requires a sterile field, which is an area free of mircoorganisms and prepared to receive sterile items

Question 22

What are the 3 key things to note about Surgical Asepsis?

Answer 22

1) Sterile Technique - a procedure to eliminate all micros from an object or area
2) Settings - OR, L&D, bedside, diagnostic testing areas, etc. 3) Invasive Procedures - insertion of urinary catheter, sterile dressing changes, etc.

Question 23

What are the 7 Principles of Surgicial Asepsis?

Answer 23

1) A sterile object remains sterile only when touched by another sterile object
2) Only sterile objects may be placed on a sterile field
3) A sterile object or field out of the range of vision or an object held below a person’s waist is contaminated
4) A sterile object or field becomes contaminated by prolonged exposure to air
5) When a sterile surface comes in contact with a wet, contaminated surface, the sterile object or field becomes contaminated by capillary action
6) Fluid flows in the direction of gravity
7) The edges of a sterile field or container are considered to be contaminated (1in border)

Question 24

Single most important thing you can do to prevent infections….

Answer 24

WASH YOUR HANDS!

Question 25

Describe the PUTTING ON PPE Sequence (see pdf in canvas module)

Answer 25

1) Gown
2) Mask or Respirator
3) Goggles or Face Shield
4) Gloves

Question 26

Describe the SAFELY REMOVING PPE Sequence (see pdf in canvas module)

Answer 26

1) Gloves
2) Goggles or Face Shield
3) Gown
4) Mask or Respirator
5) Hand Hygiene