Chapter 27 - Asepsis and Infection Control

Question 0

Pathogens

Answer 0

disease-producing microorganisms

Question 1

Infection

Answer 1

A disease state that results from the presence of pathogens in or on the body.
- occurs a a result of the cyclic process.

Question 2

Cyclic cycle

Answer 2

• consists of 6 components.
• infectious agent
• Reservoir
• Portal of Exit
• Means of transmission
• Portals of Entry
• Susceptible Host

Question 3

Bacteria

Answer 3

most significant and commonly observed infection-causing agents. Can be categorized by shape as: spherical (cocci), rod shaped ( bacilli), or corkscrew shaped (spirochetes).

• can also be categorized as gram positive or gram negative, based on their reaction to the gram stain. This information is crucial for physicians when prescribing the most appropriate antibiotic therapy because antibiotics are classified as specifically effective against only ram-positive organism or s broad spectrum and effective against several groups of microorganisms.
• another distinguishing factor is the bacterias need for oxygen.

Question 4

Gram positive bacteria

Answer 4

• have a thich cell wall that resisits decolorization (loss of color) and are stained violoet.

Question 5

gram negative bacteria

Answer 5

have chemically more complex cell walls and can be decolorized by alcohol.
- these do not stain.

Question 6

Aerobic

Answer 6

• requires oxygen to live and grow

Question 7

Anaerobic

Answer 7

can live without oxygen.

Question 8

Virus

Answer 8

The smallest of all microorganisms, visible only with an electron microscope.

• Antibiotics have no effect on viruses however there are some antiviral medications.
• when given in the prodromal stage of certain viruses, these medications can shorten the full stage of the illness.

Question 9

Fungi

Answer 9

Plant-like organisms (mold and yeasts) that also can cause infection, are present in the air, soil and water.
Ex: athletes foot, ringworm, yeast infection.
- these infections are treated with antifungal medications. Many infections due to fungi are resistant to treatment.

Question 10

Virulence

Answer 10

ability of an organism to cause disease.

Question 11

Endemic

Answer 11

occurs with predictability in one specific region or population can appear in a different geological location.
EX: Dengue fever that is endemic in Southeast Asia has the potential to emerge in the US.

Question 12

Opportunist bacteria

Answer 12

Bacteria that normally cause no problem but, with certain factors, may potentially be harmful.
Ex: Escherichia Coli normally resides in the intestinal tract and causes no harm. However if it migrates to the urinary tract it can lead to a urinary tract infection.

Question 13

Normal Flora

Answer 13

Microorganisms that commonly inhabit various body sites and are part of the body’s natural defense system.

Question 14

Reservoir

Answer 14

he natural habitat of the organism where it grows and multiplies.
Possible reservoirs that support organisms pathogenic to humans include: other people, animals, soil, food, water, milk, and inanimate objects.

Question 15

Carriers

Answer 15

people that act as reservoirs for the infectious agent but do not exhibit any manifestations of the disease.

Question 16

Vectors

Answer 16

nonhuman carriers that transmit organisms from one host to anotherm by injecting salivary fluid when a human bite occurs.
Ex: mosquitos, ticks and lice.

Question 17

susceptible Host

Answer 17

patients that are in a weakened state of health because of illness and have less resistance. They are susceptible for infection.

Question 18

What are the stages of infection?

Answer 18

• incubation period
• prodromal stage
• full stage of illness
• convalescent period

Question 19

Incubation period

Answer 19

• interval between the pathogens invasion of the body and the appearance of symptoms of infection. During this stage organisms are growing and multiplying.

Question 20

Prodromal Stage

Answer 20

• the stage when the person is most infectious.
• Early signs and symptoms are present but are often vague and unspecified. Period lasts from several hours to several days. During this stage, person does not realize they are contagious and infection spreads.

Question 21

Full stage of Illness

Answer 21

-when there is a presence of specific signs and symptoms. The type of infection determines length of illness and severity of manifestations.

Question 22

localized symptoms

Answer 22

symptom that are limited or occur in only one body area.

Question 23

systematic symptoms

Answer 23

symptoms manifested throughout the entire body.

Question 24

Convalescent Period

Answer 24

The recovery period from the infection.

Question 25

Inflammatory response

Answer 25

a protective mechanism that eliminates the invading pathogen and allows for tissue repair to occur.

• Inflammation helps body neutralize, control, or eliminate the offending agent and to prepare the site for repair.
• Inflammatory response also occurs in response to injury.
• can be an acute or chronic process.

Question 26

Cardinal Signs of Acute infection

Answer 26

redness, heat, swelling, pain, and loss of function and usually appear at the site of the injury or inflammation.
- vascular and cellular stages are the main components of the inflammatory process. These physiological processes are responsible for the appearance of the cardinal signs.

Question 27

Immune Response

Answer 27

involves specific body responses to an invading foreign protein, such as bacteria, or in some cases. the body’s own proteins.
-the complex mechanism that constitute the immune response occur as the body attempts to protect and defend itself.

Question 28

Antigen

Answer 28

foreign material entering body

Question 29

Antibody

Answer 29

how the body responds to antigens.

Question 30

Asepsis

Answer 30

includes all activities to prevent infection or break the chain of infection.

• nurses use aseptic techniques to halt the spread of microorganisms and minimize the threat of infection.
• there are tow asepsis categories: medical asepsis and sugical asepsis.

Question 31

Medical asepsis

Answer 31

clean technique, involves procedures and practices that reduce the number and transfer of pathogens.
Ex: include performing hand hygiene and wearing gloves.

Question 32

Surgical asepsis

Answer 32

sterile technique, includes practices used to render and keep objects and areas free from microorganisms.
Procedure can include: inserting an indwelling urinary catheter or inserting an IV catheter.