Infection control

Question 1

What does Universal Precaution mean?

Answer 1

An approach to infection control to treat all human blood and body fluids as if they contain bloodborne pathogens. This is the minimum infection prevention practices that apply to all patient care, regardless of suspected or confirmed infection status of the patient, in any setting where healthcare is delivered (hand hygiene, wearing PPE, etc)

Question 2

How far should you be from sterile field?

Answer 2

Minimum, 12 inches

Recommended, 18 inches according to nurses guideline

Question 3

What is a Fomite?

Answer 3

Inanimate object that can carry and transmit infectious agents

Question 4

What is a Blood-Borne Pathogen?

Answer 4

Virus carried in the blood and transmitted by bodily fluids

Question 5

Critical Items

Answer 5

instruments, equipment, or devices that enter tissue or vascular spaces, or that blood flows through

:: high risk of infection/contamination, require sterilization

e.g. subdermal needles, surgical equipments, implants, catheters

Question 6

Semi Critical Items

Answer 6

Instruments, equipment, or devices that have contact with mucous membranes or non-intact skin

:: require high or intermediate level disinfection (spores can stay)

e.g. surface electrodes/respiratory therapy/anesth items, endoscopes/thermometers

Question 7

Non-Critical Items

Answer 7

Instruments, equipment, or devices that have contact with intact skin

:: intermediate-low level disinfection

e.g. surface electrodes, stethoscopes, bedpans, blood pressure cuffs, bed rails, toys, patient furniture

Question 8

High Level Disinfection

Answer 8

Process that results in elimination of all viruses and vegetative microorganisms, tuberculosis, but not all bacterial spores

Can be achieved using germicides registered as EPA sporicides and tuberculocides, pasteurization, sodium hypochlorite, demand-release chlorine dioxide, and hydrogen peroxide

Question 9

Intermediate Level Disinfection

Answer 9

process that results in the elimination of all vegetative disease producing bacteria, mycobacterium tuberculosis, most viruses and fungi, but not all bacterial spores

can be achieved using germicides with EPA registration as hospital disinfectants and tuberculocides, sodium hypochlorite, and with ethanol or isopropyl alcohol

Question 10

Define Nosocomial Infection

Answer 10

infection originating within the hospital or patient care environment

(aka hospital-acquired infections)