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CNUR 103 - foundations of care > Lecture 2: Infection Control & Medical Asepsis > Flashcards

Lecture 2: Infection Control & Medical Asepsis Flashcards

(60 cards)

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1
Q

Normal Flora

A

This is my home. I don’t usually cause trouble HERE, I often have weapons to protect my home, and the other residents keep me under control if I might get hostile

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2
Q

Pathogen

A 
infectious agent (either virus or bacteria) 
-overwhelms infected host's defences causing illness
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3
Q

Nosocomial infections

A

HAIs health care associated infections

  • Normal flora go where they shouldn’t
  • Normal balance is compromised
  • Pathogens from elsewhere are introduced (MRSA, VRE)
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4
Q

A-sepsis

A

without or freedom from disease causing microorganisms

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5
Q

A-septic technique

A

decreasing the chance of transferring microorganisms from one place to another

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6
Q

what are the a-septic techniques

A

-Clean technique (trying not to touch things)
-Medical asepsis- Clean technique
-Surgical asepsis – Sterile technique
(washing hands, gloves, sanitizer, ppe)

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7
Q

Colonization

A

Strain of microorganism becomes resident flora

  • Grow and multiply but do not create illness
  • Infection can occur when the organism succeeds in overcoming the hosts defense mechanism
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8
Q

Asymptomatic/subclinical infections

A
  • No clinical evidence of disease

- Localized cell damage/infection

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9
Q

local infection

A
  • Limited to a specific part of the body

- Generally easier to treat

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10
Q

Systemic infection

A

-Infection has spread from the site of origin and affects more systems

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11
Q

Bactermia

A

bacteria in the blood

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12
Q

Septicemia

A

Bacteremia results in systemic symptoms

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13
Q

explain the pathology of infection

A

1)Infection enters host
2)Moves to preferred target site
3)Overcomes host defences
due to:
-highly virulent microbe
-High microbial load
-Defenses are weakened

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14
Q

what components are involved with chain of infection

A 
infectious agent
susceptible host
portal of entry
mode of transmission
portal of exit 
reservoir
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15
Q

what strategies are used to break the chain of infection for health care associated infections?

A

1) routine practices/ precautions

2) isolation precautions

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16
Q

chain of infection :
Etiological Agent
- what factors are associated

A
  • Number (load, dose) – must be high
  • Virulence
  • Pathogenicity
  • Ability to enter
  • Susceptibility of host
  • Ability to live and grow in host
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17
Q

etiological agents include..?

A

virus

bacteria

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18
Q

how do we protect ourselves from etiological agents

A
  • Correctly cleaning, disinfecting, or sterilizing articles

- Educating clients and support persons

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19
Q

define: reservoir

A

The source, where microbe hangs out, causing illness or not

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20
Q

reservoir examples

A
  • Other people (most common)
  • Animals
  • Self
  • Plants
  • Food
  • Contaminated objects
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21
Q

reservoir: Respiratory tract

- what is the portal of exit?

A

Nose or mouth through sneezing, coughing, breathing or talking, endotracheal tubes or tracheostomies

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22
Q

reservoir: GI tract

- what is the portal of exit?

A

Mouth- saliva, vomiting
Anus- feces
Ostomies, drainage tubes

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23
Q

reservoir: reproductive tract

- what is the portal of exit?

A

Vaginal – vaginal discharge
Urinary meatus- semen, urine
Urethral discharge, contaminated urine

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24
Q

reservoir: blood

- what is the portal of exit?

A

Open wound, needle puncture, any disruption intact skin or mucous membrane surfaces

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25
reservoir: tissue | - what is the portal of exit?
Drainage from wound or cut
26
what precautions are used to protect ourselves from microorganisms in reservoirs?
- Disposing of feces and urine appropriately - Covering or capping all fluid containers - Emptying suction and drainage bottles before full or according to agency policy
27
portal of exit
in order to infect more hosts, microorganism must leave it's reservoir
28
possible portals of exit
``` Mouth, nose, Anus Urethral meatus Ostomies Drainage from wound Tubes and trachs Drainage tubes Open wound Break in skin or mucous membrane ```
29
what precautions are in place to avoid microbial transmission from portals of exit?
- Avoid talking, coughing, or sneezing over open wounds or sterile fields - Cover the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing - Reservoir actions too
30
define: transmission
How microbes get to a receptive portal of entry of a susceptible host
31
what are the 6 routes of transmission?
``` Direct Indirect Droplet (sneeze) Airborne (TB) Vehicle borne (kleenex and dressings) Vector borne (bugs, animals) ```
32
Direct contact transmission
Just as the name sounds – requires direct transfer from person to person
33
Indirect contact transmission
Passive transfer from reservoir to intermediate inanimate object then to recipient (sneeze on hand, touch door knob, another person touch knob then their nose)
34
Droplet transmission
- type of direct contact - Large drops of respiratory secretions from coughing, sneezing, talking, singing, or when we suction patients - Projected a short distance
35
airborne transmission
-particles are small 5 microns compared to 20 microns (droplet) Remain in the air for a long time ex) TB -Particles are transmitted by air currents to a suitable portal of entry i.e. respiratory tract
36
Vehicle-borne transmission
- Any substance that serves as a means of transportation between infected host and the new host - Fomites- inanimate materials or objects- including utensils, cups, soiled clothing, toys - Water, food, milk, blood, serum and plasma
37
Vector-borne transmission
Animal or insect that serves as an intermediate means of transporting the infectious agent -Salivary fluid is injected during biting or when feces or other materials are deposited into the skin through a bite or open wound
38
how do we protect ourselves from transmission?
- Teach appropriate hand hygiene - Use proper antiseptics and disinfectants - Wear gloves, gowns, masks and eye protection when necessary (PPE) - Discard soiled materials appropriately - Dispose of urine and feces appropriately
39
portal of entry
How the microorganism enters the host’s body
40
what are examples of portals of entry
- Break in skin or m membrane - Mm of the eyes - Respiratory tract - Gi tract - Blood stream
41
how do we protect ourselves against portal of entry
- Use sterile technique for invasive procedures and exposing open wounds - Use puncture-resistant containers for used needles and syringes - Provide clients with own personal care items - PPE
42
susceptible hosts
Person at risk for infections
43
what factors increase susceptibility for infection?
1)Age --> very young and elderly (weaker immune systems) 2)Immune status (presence of antibodies) 3)Heredity 4)Physical and emotional stressors--> raises cortisol in the blood, decreasing immune and inflammatory response 5) Nutritional status 6) Medical therapies--> meds can increase risk of infection (antibiotics may kill off good bacteria), treatments (radiation), surgery Medications Obesity Smoking
44
how do we decrease a person's susceptibility?
- Maintain integrity of skin and mucous membranes - Ensure client receives a balanced diet - Educate public about importance of immunizations - Educate about increased risks
45
routine precautions (standard universal)
- used with all clients - all interventions that break chain of infection * *hand hygiene, PPE (gloves, gown, masks, goggles) - isolation precautions - clean equipment, environment - control source of infection - educate
46
additional precautions
Used in addition to Routine Practices for patients with known or suspected infections that are spread by: - airborne, droplet, contact transmission * *special precautions used for drug resistant and emerging pathogens (C diff, MRSA, VRE, norovirus)
47
droplet precautions used for:
Influenza, Invasive Group A strep, MRSA, Meningitis, Pertussis, Respiratory infection of unknown origin, Rubella
48
contact precautions used for:
Clostridium difficile, ESBL, Gastroenteric illness of unknown origin, vomiting, diarrhea, impetigo, head lice, scabies
49
airborne and contact precautions used for:
Chickenpox, Disseminated Shingles, Measles (Rubella), TB (pulmonary)
50
special precautions used for:
VRE
51
What do you do if you are exposed to a blood borne pathogen?
- Report the incident immediately - Needle stick injury - Complete injury report - Seek appropriate evaluation and follow-up
52
if you are punctured or lacerated by a utensil...
Encourage bleeding Clean the area with soap and water Initiate first aid Seek treatment if indicated
53
mucous membrane exposure
Eyes, nose, mouth Flush with saline solution or water Flush for 5 to 10 minutes
54
how can you help susceptible hosts protect themselves?
``` Help patients perform good hygiene -Hand washing -Peri-care Ensure balanced nutrition with adequate hydration Mitigate stress -Coping mechanisms Ensuring adequate tissue oxygenation Glycemic controls Encourage immunizations Activate immunity (produce antibodies) ```
55
natural active immunity
Antibodies are formed in presence of active infection in the body -lifelong
56
Artificial active immunity
Antigens administered to stimulate antibody formation -lasts for years but is reinforced by booster vacines
57
passive immunity
Host receives natural or artificial antibodies produced from another source
58
Natural passive immunity
- Antibodies transferred naturally from an immune mother to baby through the placenta or in colostrums - last 6 months to 1 year
59
Artificial passive immunity
- Occurs when immune serum (antibody) from an animal or another human is injected - lasts 2 - 3 weeks
60
what are the risks for Nosocomial infections?
Diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Compromised host Insufficient hand hygiene

CNUR 103 - foundations of care (4 decks)

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