Infection control/chain of infection

Question 1

What is the Chain of Infection?

Answer 1

A series of steps required for an infectious disease to spread. Breaking any link prevents transmission.

Question 2

Name the 6 links in the Chain of Infection.

Answer 2

Infectious Agent

Reservoir

Portal of Exit

Mode of Transmission

Portal of Entry

Susceptible Host

Question 3

How can infection be controlled using the Chain of Infection?

Answer 3

By breaking any one of the 6 links in the chain.

Question 4

What are examples of infectious agents?

Answer 4

Viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites.

Question 5

How can we control infectious agents?

Answer 5

Through anti-infective drugs and infection control practices (e.g., disinfection, sterilization).

Question 6

What is the portal of exit in the chain of infection?

Answer 6

The method by which an agent leaves its reservoir (e.g., nose, mouth, blood, urine).

Question 7

How can you prevent transmission at this stage?

Answer 7

Use Standard Precautions and Transmission-Based Precautions.

Question 8

What are the 5 modes of transmission?

Answer 8

Contact (direct & indirect)

Droplet

Airborne

Common vehicle

Vectorborne

Question 9

What are common portals of entry?

Answer 9

Broken skin, mucous membranes, and open body systems (respiratory, GI, reproductive).

Question 10

How is entry prevented?

Answer 10

Use sterile technique, asepsis, wound care, and precautions.

Question 11

Who is a susceptible host?

Answer 11

A person who is not immune or has weakened resistance to the infectious agent.

Question 12

How can you protect the host?

Answer 12

Identify high-risk individuals, treat underlying conditions, and isolate if needed.

Question 13

What is the best definition of medical asepsis?

Answer 13

The destruction of pathogenic microorganisms after they leave the body.
Also involves cleaning the environment, equipment disinfection, and hygiene practices.

Question 14

What are common methods of medical asepsis?

Answer 14

Standard Precautions

Transmission-Based Precautions

Cleaning and disinfecting equipment

Environmental hygiene

Question 15

Why is handwashing considered essential in infection control?

Answer 15

It is the most important way to prevent the spread of infection.

Question 16

What’s the difference between routine handwashing and hand antisepsis?

Answer 16

Routine handwashing: Uses plain soap to remove dirt and transient bacteria

Hand antisepsis: Uses antimicrobial soap to remove or kill transient microorganisms

Question 17

What is the purpose of barrier protection in infection control?

Answer 17

It provides a physical barrier against infection to protect healthcare workers and prevent the spread of pathogens.

Question 18

What does PPE stand for and what items does it include?

Answer 18

PPE = Personal Protective Equipment
Includes:

Gloves

Masks

Goggles

Face shields

Respirators

Gowns

Question 19

List the three reasons gloves are worn:

Answer 19

1.To protect hands from contact with blood, body fluids, secretions, and broken skin.

2.To prevent transmission of microorganisms from healthcare worker to patient.

3.To prevent transmission of microorganisms from patient to patient via healthcare worker’s hands.

Question 20

What is key to using PPE effectively?

Answer 20

Learn the correct donning (putting on) and doffing (removing) procedures, and dispose of PPE properly to avoid spreading infection.

Question 21

What is the purpose of isolation precautions?

Answer 21

To prevent the spread of infection in healthcare settings by using specific methods based on how diseases are transmitted.

Question 22

What were Universal Precautions?

Answer 22

An older CDC guideline that treated all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious, regardless of the patient’s diagnosis.

Question 23

What are the two tiers of isolation precautions recommended by the CDC?

Answer 23

1.Standard Precautions
2.Transmission-Based Precautions

Question 24

What are Standard Precautions?

Answer 24

Infection control methods used to prevent direct contact with blood, body fluids, and tissues by using barrier protection and safe work practices.

Question 25

What assumption do Standard Precautions make about patients?

Answer 25

All patients are presumed to be infective for bloodborne pathogens, even if infection is not apparent.

Question 26

When do healthcare workers use Standard Precautions?

Answer 26

When there is possible contact with: Blood All body fluids, secretions, and excretions (except sweat) Nonintact skin Mucous membranes

Question 27

List some Standard Precautions healthcare workers should follow

Answer 27

Wear gloves when handling blood, fluids, or tissue specimens Wear face shields when splashing is possible Dispose of needles/sharps in puncture-proof containers Do not recap needles

Question 28

What earlier guidelines were replaced by Standard Precautions?

Answer 28

Universal Precautions Body Substance Isolation

Question 29

What are Transmission-Based Precautions?

Answer 29

The second tier of precautions used in addition to Standard Precautions for patients known or suspected to be infected with contagious diseases.

Question 30

What are the three categories of Transmission-Based Precautions?

Answer 30

Contact precautions Airborne precautions Droplet precautions

Question 31

What are Contact Precautions designed for?

Answer 31

To reduce transmission by direct or indirect contact. Direct: skin-to-skin or physical transfer from infected person Indirect: contact with contaminated objects or surfaces in the patient’s environment

Question 32

How do Airborne Precautions work?

Answer 32

They reduce risk of infections spread by air currents. Microorganisms can travel long distances Require special air handling & ventilation Used for diseases like TB, measles, or chickenpox

Question 33

What are Droplet Precautions used for?

Answer 33

To prevent the spread of large-particle droplets from coughing, sneezing, or talking Droplets travel short distances (≤ 3 feet) No special air systems needed Used for illnesses like influenza or pertussis

Question 34

What is disinfection in medical asepsis?

Answer 34

A procedure using chemicals to destroy many pathogenic microorganisms—used only on inanimate objects.

Question 35

Why are chemical disinfectants not used on skin or mucous membranes?

Answer 35

Because they can irritate the skin and mucous membranes.

Question 36

What is the least expensive and most readily available disinfectant for surfaces?

Answer 36

A 1:10 solution of household bleach (sodium hypochlorite).

Question 37

Is boiling water (212°F) considered a disinfectant?

Answer 37

Yes, but its use is limited in modern medical settings.

Question 38

What are the conditions for using boiling water as a disinfectant?

Answer 38

It is used for items that: Will not be used in invasive procedures Will not be inserted into body orifices Will not be used in sterile procedures

Question 39

What is latex sensitivity?

Answer 39

An allergic reaction to natural rubber latex, increasingly common in the healthcare field.

Question 40

Why did latex sensitivity become a growing concern after the 1980s?

Answer 40

Because the use of natural rubber latex gloves increased significantly after OSHA's Universal Precaution Standards in 1980.

Question 41

Who should be concerned about latex sensitivity?

Answer 41

Every healthcare worker due to frequent exposure to latex products.

Question 42

What should individuals with known latex sensitivity wear?

Answer 42

A medical alert bracelet to notify others in emergencies.