Untitled Deck Flashcards
(37 cards)
What are standard precautions?
A set of precautions to prevent transmission of HIV, HBV, and other blood-borne pathogens; treat everyone like they have an infectious disease.
What is antisepsis?
The destruction of disease-causing microorganisms to prevent infection in the patient’s body surface; can be bacteriocidal or bacteriostatic.
What is disinfection?
The killing of pathogenic organisms from inanimate objects.
What is sterilization?
The destruction or removal of all microorganisms, including spores.
What is the most common cause of wound infection?
Staphylococcus aureus; nasal carriage is high among healthcare workers, especially in orthopedic, surgical, and gynecological settings.
How can iatrogenic infections be prevented?
By washing hands (wet, lather, scrub for 20 seconds, rinse, dry), disinfecting equipment, and wearing clean clothing.
What are exceptions to aseptic technique?
Extreme clinical circumstances where time doesn’t allow for aseptic technique and allergies.
What is the effect of iodine on microorganisms?
Rapidly decreases gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and yeasts for up to 3 hours.
What is chlorohexidine used for?
It is used routinely or if there is an iodine allergy; it has antimicrobial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria for up to 48 hours.
What is a time out in medical procedures?
A verification step to confirm the correct patient, site, and procedure to be performed.
What is informed consent?
A discussion of indications, risks, benefits, and alternatives to ensure that consent can be obtained.
What should be verified before opening a sterile package?
The package should be intact and the expiration date should be confirmed.
How should disinfectant solution be applied?
It should be repeated 3-4 times with new applicators.
What is a subcutaneous injection?
An injection into the adipose tissue just under the dermis at a 45-degree angle; it has a slow rate of absorption due to few vessels.
What is an intradermal injection?
An injection into the dermis just under the epidermis at a 10-15 degree angle; do not aspirate (this is debatable).
What is an intramuscular injection?
An injection into the body of the muscle at a 90-degree angle.
When should intramuscular injections not be given?
When serum enzymes are required to diagnose or treat conditions (e.g., myocardial infarction), if there is inadequate muscle mass, or if absorption is impaired (e.g., paralysis or clots).
What is an intravenous injection?
An injection into a vein through an IV line or short venous access device (saline lock) at a 25-degree angle; replace every 72-96 hours.
What are contraindications for local anesthesia?
Allergic reactions (esters are most common) and epinephrine should not be given to areas with a single dependent blood supply (e.g., finger, toe, penis, nose, pinna).
What are tension/langer lines?
If a wound is parallel to the long axis of fibers, re-approximation will occur; if perpendicular, the wound will gape.
What characterizes a clean wound classification?
Incisions made during surgery with aseptic technique, no inflammation, and potential infection rate <2%.
What characterizes a clean-contaminated wound classification?
No inflammation or infection, minor break in sterile procedure; GI, respiratory, or GU tracts can be involved without spillage; potential infection rate 8-10%.
What characterizes a contaminated wound classification?
Traumatic wounds with gross spillage (blood, bile, stool), major break in sterile technique, acute inflammation; potential infection rate 15-20%.
What characterizes a dirty/infected wound classification?
Infection present at the surgical site prior to the procedure, pus, gross spillage of stool (perforation), abscess I&D; potential infection rate 27-40%.
