Infection control

Question 1

is a set of 6 intertwined links that allow for communicable diseases to spread.
Each step of the chain is required to effectively transmit infectious illness.
Breaking any one of the 6 links can slow the spread of infectious disease.

Answer 1

Chain of infection

Question 2

For the infection to escalate to an epidemic means that _______

Answer 2

all components or links are favorable to the pathogenic microbe.

Question 3

Six Links of the Chain of Infection

Answer 3

Infectious Causative Agent
Reservoir
Exit Pathway/Portal of exit
Mode of transmission
Entry pathway
Susceptible Host

Question 4

aka _________ are microorganisms that cause disease. Without pathogens, we would not have transmissible, infectious disease.

Ex:
Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi, Parasite

Answer 4

Infectious Causative Agent
Pathogens

Question 5

serves as a place in the environment where a pathogen lives, replicates and thrives.

Answer 5

Reservoir

Ex:
Human, Animals, Insects, Environment

Question 6

form of reservoir wherein humans carry the infection

Answer 6

Human Reservoir

Question 7

are more likely to be recognized. This means that the patient’s contacts and normal activities will normally be restricted

Answer 7

symptomatic infection

Question 8

Carriers do not display any signs or symptoms of illness. They are asymptomatic but can still spread disease (ex: Typhoid Mary, COVID 19 )

Answer 8

Asymptomatic carriers

Question 9

Any infectious disease that is naturally transmitted from animal or insect to human is considered a ___________

Answer 9

zoonotic disease

Ex:
Lyme disease (ticks)
Rabies (animals)
Salmonella (raw meats, eggs, and dairy)
Dengue

Question 10

form of reservoir wherein animals/insects carry the infection

Answer 10

Animal and Insect Reservoir

Question 11

form of reservoir wherein Environment harbor many infectious diseases

Answer 11

Environmental reservoir

Question 12

Examples of Environmental reservoir

Answer 12

Ex:
Soil (which acts as a reservoir for Clostridium tetani, the causative agent of tetanus); and
Water (which is a reservoir for Legionella pneumophila, the causative agent of Legionnaire’s disease.)

Question 13

A way or manner where an infectious agent can leave the reservoir host
This depends entirely on the characteristics of the reservoir.

Answer 13

Exit Pathway/portal of Exit

Question 14

In humans, the main portals of exit include:

Answer 14

Alimentary: vomiting, diarrhea, saliva
Genitourinary: sexual contact
Respiratory: secretions from coughing, sneezing, or talking
Skin: open wounds

Question 15

Examples of mode of transmission

Answer 15

Airborne, direct or indirect contact , droplets, vector (insect) and vehicle (food, water or drugs)

Question 16

way in which pathogen is passed on

Answer 16

Mode of transmission

Question 17

Is usually considered person-to-person contact.

Answer 17

direct Contact

Question 18

Examples of direct contact include:

Answer 18

Skin-to-Skin contact (like touching)
Kissing
Sexual contact
Contact with oral secretions
Contact with body lesions

Question 19

Pathogens that are spread by direct contact include:

Answer 19

Gonorrhea
Mononucleosis
Bacterial Conjunctivitis
COVID-19

Question 20

Requires a pathogen to be transferred through the air from its reservoir in a droplet of body secretions. These are relatively large and usually will fall from suspension after 3-6 feet of travel. They will rapidly fall on nearby surfaces (tables, door knobs, telephones, elevator buttons, etc.), and may remain viable. The survivability of the pathogen depends on its type.

Answer 20

Droplets

Question 21

occurs when a droplet from coughing, sneezing or talking carry the pathogen to the hosts body. The transmission is completed by:
Inhaling droplets
Droplets entering the mucous membranes of the face
A host touching droplets that have settled on surfaces and then touching their face (mouth, eyes, nose).

Answer 21

Droplet transmission

Question 22

3 ways where transmission completed

Answer 22

Inhaling droplets
Droplets entering the mucous membranes of the face

A host touching droplets that have settled on surfaces and then touching their face (mouth, eyes, nose).

Examples of illnesses caused by droplet transmission are:
Strep Throat
Influenza
The common cold
COVID-19

Question 23

Some pathogens are transmitted directly through blood. These pathogens require that infected blood from the reservoir be directly exposed to the blood of the susceptible host.
This can be accomplished by blood from a needlestick and blood entering mucous membranes or other open wounds.

Answer 23

Blood Borne

Question 24

Examples of blood-borne pathogens include:

Answer 24

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Hepatitis-B Virus
Hepatitis-C Virus

Question 25

occurs when pathogens smaller than five microns in size remain suspended in the air long after the infected person has left the area. A host then enters the space where the pathogen is suspended and has the potential to become infected.

Answer 25

Airborne

Question 26

utilizes insects to transport the pathogen. Insects such as fleas, ticks, and mosquitos are unharmed by the pathogens they potentially carry but can transmit the bacteria or virus when they bite a host.

Answer 26

Vector

Question 27

Examples of Vectors

Answer 27

Mosquito: West Nile Virus Fleas: Bubonic Plague (Yersinia pestis) Ticks: Lyme Disease ( Borrelia burgdorferi )

Question 28

Refers to the way an infectious agent enters a host that is susceptible to infection which includes body orifices.

Answer 28

Entry pathway/Portal of Entry

Question 29

Examples of Entry Pathway/Portal of entry:

Answer 29

Examples include: Inhalation Absorption Ingestion Inoculation Introduction

Question 30

Someone who is prone to infection due to age, health or immune status. They usually include the elderly, newborn, patients who are immune suppressed.

Answer 30

susceptible Host

Question 31

Factors of susceptability:

Answer 31

Age The very young or very old are usually more susceptible. Health status Malnourished, dehydrated, or otherwise unhealthy persons are more at risk Medication usage Immune suppressing drugs allow pathogens to take hold more freely

Question 32

inside Laboratory Precautions

Answer 32

Do not eat, drink, smoke or apply cosmetics. Do not insert or remove contact lenses Do not bite nails or chew pens Do not mouth pipet Assume all patients are infectious Avoid production of aerosols in centrifuge

Question 33

exposure control plan for needlestick/other shrap injury:

Answer 33

Carefully remove the shards or foreign object. Wash the site thoroughly with soap and water for at least 30 seconds.

Question 34

exposure control plan for Mucous Membrane exposure:

Answer 34

Flush with water or saline for at least 10 minutes. For the eyes, use eyewash station for flushing. Remember to remove the contact lenses (if there are any) and make sure to disinfect them. Report the incident to the immediate supervisor and the provider so that evaluation, treatment and counseling can be provided.

Question 35

surface decontamination:

Answer 35

use of 1:10 bleach solution or other disinfectants for the specimen collection and processing areas. Remember to wear gloves and use an absorbent material when cleaning the area to avoid spreading the spills over a wider area. As a precaution, all non-reusable items contaminated by blood or other body fluids should be placed in biohazard waste containers for proper disposal.

Question 36

Portal of entry via respiratory tract

Answer 36

inhalation

Question 37

Portal of entry via mucous membranes (like eyes)

Answer 37

absorption

Question 38

Portal of entry via the gastrointestinal tract

Answer 38

ingestion

Question 39

Portal of entry as a result of inoculation injury (vaccine; immunization via introduction of infective material)

Answer 39

inocculation

Question 40

Portal of entry via insertion of medical devices

Answer 40

introduction

Question 41

how to break the chain of infection

Answer 41

cleaning disinfection, sterilization pest control hand hygiene PPE respiratory etiquette waste disposal food safety first aid immunization patient education diagnosis and treatment