Microbiology and infectious diseases in Nursing Flashcards
(44 cards)
What are microbes?
Single-celled organisms so tiny that millions can fit into the eye of a needle- eg bacteria, archaea, helmiths, viruses, small parasites
What are the major features of prokaryotes?
No organelles
Unbound circular genome.
Rigid cell wall
What are the major features of eukaryotes?
True nucleus and linear genome, complex, organelles, flexible cell wall
What are methods of disease transmission?
Respiratory droplets, dust, contaminated water, injection of contaminated soil, contaminated food, contact with contaminated objects, anthropod bites, contact with animals
What are portals of exit for disease?
Coughing and sneezing; insect bites; removal of blood; faeces; urine; skin cells and open lesions
What are 8 signs and symptoms of meningitis in children and adults?
Stiff neck, headache, fever, vomiting, light sensitivity, drowsiness or confusion, joint pain, fitting
What are 8 signs and symptoms of meningitis in infants?
Fever, possibly with cold hands and feet, refusing feeds or vomiting, high pitched moaning, cry or whimpering, dislike of being handled or fretful, neck retraction with arching of back, blank and staring expression, child is difficult to wake, lethargic, pale, blotchy complexion
What is meningitis?
Inflammation of the meninges covering the breain
What is a key sign of meningitis?
Headache, can’t move chin to chest
How is meningitis spread?
By close contact with infected person or sharing food and drink
When caring for a meningitis patient in a hospital room, what needs to be done?
Keep room darkened as patient has photophobia
What are the causes of pyogenic meningitis?
Neonates- Group B strep, E.Coli, citrobacter, salmonella
Children: N. Meningitidis, Haemophilus influenza b, strep pneumoniae
Adults: N. Meningitidis, strep pneumoniae, staph aureus, cryptococcus neoformans, listeria monocytogenes, M.tuberculosis.
What are the causes of aseptic meningitis?
Partially-treated bacterial meningitis (antibiotics given before LP); viral meningitis (echo virus, coxsacki B), viral encephalitis (eg herpes simplex, enteroviruses, varicella zoster, CMV), M.tuberculosis, fungal meningitis, acute leptospirosis, neurosyphillis, cerebral toxoplasmosis, HIV
What is the best test for a sore throat?
Cultures- throat swab
What is the main aim of antibiotic therapy for strep?
To prevent recurrent infections and rheumatic heart disease with permanent heart valve damage
What is acute otitis media?
Bacteria colonising the oropharynx enter the middle ear via the eustachian tube. Triggered by viral infection, obstruction, colonisation with new strains of bacteria, age, race, nutrition
What are the principle pathogens for acute otitis media?
S.pneumoniae, H.influenzae, M.catarrhalis, viruses.
What are the microbial causes of UTI?
E.coli Proteus sp Klebsiella sp Enterococcus Pseudomonas Enterobacter St.saprophyticus
UTI’s in hospital tend to be caused by the more antibiotic resistant organisms
What are the classic presentations of a UTI?
Dysuria, frequency, urgency, supra-pubic pain.
What is the drug for UTIs?
Trimethoprim 300mg OD TDS
What are the complicating features requiring urine culture in woman?
Abnormal urinary tract eg stone, reflux, catheter; impaired host defences eg pregnancy, diabetes, immunosupression; impaired renal function; suspicion of pyelonephritis; more that 3 UTIs in one year, UTI recurrence within 2w.
What are complicated UTIs?
Men, children, pregnancy, people with suspected pyelonephritis, people with recurrent UTI, failed antibiotic treatment or persistent symptoms, catheterised patients, hospital-acquired infections, recent urinary tract instrumentation, impaired host defences, structural abnormalities of GU tract, people with renal impairment.
What is the treatment for chlamydia?
1g Azithromycin stat or 7 days 100mg doxycycline
What is the causative agent of gonorrhoea?
Neisseria gonorhoeae
