Test 2--Chapter 15 Preventing Infection Flashcards
(46 cards)
Infection
An infection is a disease state resulting from the invasion and growth of microbes in the body
Infection control
Infection control protects residents, visitors, and staff from infection
Microorganism
Micro- means “small” and organism means “living plant or animal.”
Types of microorganisms (microbes)
- Bacteria
- Fungi
- Protozoa
- Rickettsiae
- Viruses
Bacteria
Bacteria are plant life that multiply rapidly.
Fungi
Fungi are plants that live on other plants or animals.
Protozoa
Protozoa are one-celled animals that can infect the blood, brain, intestines, and other body areas.
Rickettsiae
Rickettsiae are found in fleas, lice, ticks, and other insects.
Requirement of microbes to survive
- reservoir (host) to live and grow.
- water and nourishment from the reservoir.
- oxygen
- A warm and dark environment
Normal flora
Normal flora are microbes that live and grow in a certain area.
MDRO
Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) are microbes that can resist the effects of antibiotics
What causes MDROs?
- Doctors prescribing antibiotics when they are not needed.
- Not taking antibiotics for the length of time prescribed.
Two examples of MDROs
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
- Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE)
Infection
An infection is a disease state resulting from the invasion and growth of microbes in the body
Local infection
A local infection is within a body part.
Systemic infection
A systemic infection involves the whole body
Concerns with infected older people
- An infection can become________ before the older person has obvious signs and symptoms.
- During an infection, an older person may not show _____ or _______.
- The person may have only a _____ fever or __ fever at all.
- Redness and _________ may be very slight.
- The person may not complain of ____.
- ____________ and delirium may occur.
Concerns with infected old people
- An infection can become life-threatening before the older person has obvious signs and symptoms.
- During an infection, an older person may not show signs or symptoms.
- The person may have only a slight fever or no fever at all.
- Redness and swelling may be very slight.
- The person may not complain of pain.
- Confusion and delirium may occur.
Chain of Infection
Healthcare-associated infection
- healthcare-associated infection (HAI) is an infection acquired in a health care agency
- also called a nosocomial infection
What causes HAIs?
HAIs are caused by:
Normal flora
Microbes transmitted to the person from another source
How are HAIs prevented?
HAIs are prevented by:
- Medical asepsis—this includes hand hygiene
- Surgical asepsis
- Standard Precautions
- Transmission-Based Precautions
- Isolation Precautions
- The Bloodborne Pathogen Standard
What is asepsis?
Asepsis is being free of disease-producing microbes.
When should you practice hand hygiene?
After urinating or having a bowel movement
After changing tampons or sanitary pads
After contact with your own or another person’s blood, body fluids, secretions, or excretions
After coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose
Before and after handling, preparing, or eating food
Before and after giving care.
How do supplies and equipment help prevent HAIs?
- Most health care equipment is __________.
- Single-use items are _________ after use.
- A person uses multi-use items many times.
- Non-disposable items are cleaned, then __________, and then sterilized.
Cleaning
- Reduces the number of _________ present
- Removes organic ________
- Most health care equipment is disposable.
- Single-use items are discarded after use.
- A person uses multi-use items many times.
- Non-disposable items are cleaned, then disinfected, and then sterilized.
Cleaning
- Reduces the number of microbes present
- Removes organic matter
