Week 2 - Infection, Safety, and Gas Exchange

Question 1

What is the definition of infection?

Answer 1

The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms in body tissues.

Question 2

What is the definition of safety in healthcare?

Answer 2

Freedom from accidental injury through systems and processes that reduce error and increase interception of potential harm.

Question 3

Name the six elements of the chain of infection.

Answer 3

Infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, susceptible host.

Question 4

What are common portals of exit for pathogens?

Answer 4

Ears, nose, mouth, skin, body fluids, blood.

Question 5

What are the four main modes of transmission?

Answer 5

Contact, droplet, airborne, vector/vehicle.

Question 6

Describe droplet transmission.

Answer 6

Spread by large droplets through coughing, sneezing, or talking; contact with mucous membranes.

Question 7

List diseases spread by droplet transmission.

Answer 7

Influenza, rhinovirus, norovirus, pertussis

Question 8

Describe airborne transmission.

Answer 8

Spread through small particles that remain suspended in air and are inhaled.

Question 9

Name two diseases spread via airborne transmission.

Answer 9

Tuberculosis (TB), measles.

Question 10

What are common portals of entry for pathogens?

Answer 10

Eyes, respiratory tract, fecal-oral route, skin, urogenital tract, parenteral, transplacental.

Question 11

Name factors that increase susceptibility to infection.

Answer 11

Age, immunosuppression, chronic disease, surgery, medications, radiation, indwelling devices.

Question 12

What are examples of innate immunity?

Answer 12

Skin, mucous membranes, tears, sweat, cilia, GI flora, neutrophils, macrophages.

Question 13

What are components of adaptive immunity?

Answer 13

Antibodies (immunoglobulins), memory T and B cells.

Question 14

What is the most cost-effective way to prevent infections?

Answer 14

Handwashing with soap and water.

Question 15

When is soap and water required over alcohol hand rub?

Answer 15

When hands are visibly soiled or with spore-forming bacteria (e.g., C. diff).

Question 16

What does PPE stand for?

Answer 16

Personal Protective Equipment.

Question 17

When are gloves worn?

Answer 17

Contact with blood, bodily fluids, mucous membranes, or nonintact skin.

Question 18

What PPE is required for contact precautions?

Answer 18

Gown and gloves.

Question 19

What PPE is required for droplet precautions?

Answer 19

Surgical mask.

Question 20

What PPE is required for airborne precautions?

Answer 20

N95 respirator or high-level mask, negative pressure room.

Question 21

Name pathogens requiring contact precautions.

Answer 21

MRSA, VRE, C. diff (enteric precautions).

Question 22

What are examples of standard precautions?

Answer 22

Use of PPE as needed, hand hygiene, safe injection practices.

Question 23

What is the purpose of the National Patient Safety Goals (NPSGs)?

Answer 23

To improve patient safety and prevent adverse outcomes.

Question 24

What are two client identifiers used in patient safety?

Answer 24

Name and date of birth (or medical record number).

Question 25

What are common types of hospital-acquired infections?

Answer 25

CLABSI, CAUTI, SSI, VAP, MRSA, C. diff.

Question 26

What strategies help reduce client injury?

Answer 26

Non-skid footwear, bed in low position, clutter-free environment, fall education.

Question 27

List personal risk factors for injury.

Answer 27

Age, cognitive impairments, vision/hearing loss, post-surgical status, language barriers.

Question 28

List environmental risk factors for injury in healthcare.

Answer 28

Falls, medication errors, infections, poor lighting, clutter, workplace violence.

Question 29

What screening tools are used to assess patient safety?

Answer 29

Fall risk scales, Braden scale, suicide/depression screening.

Question 30

What does a culture of safety in healthcare include?

Answer 30

Hourly rounding, bedside reports, rapid response teams, safe staffing.

Question 31

What is gas exchange?

Answer 31

The process by which oxygen is transported to cells and carbon dioxide is transported from cells.

Question 32

What are the primary muscles involved in respiration?

Answer 32

Intercostal muscles – external (inhalation), internal (exhalation), and innermost (support).

Question 33

What organs are part of the upper airway?

Answer 33

Pharynx, nasopharynx, oropharynx, and larynx.

Question 34

What are the parts of the lower airway?

Answer 34

Trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and mediastinum.

Question 35

How many lobes does each lung have?

Answer 35

Right lung has 3 lobes; left lung has 2 lobes.

Question 36

What is ventilation?

Answer 36

The flow of air into and out of the alveoli.

Question 37

What is perfusion?

Answer 37

Blood flow to alveoli enabling gas exchange.

Question 38

What part of the nervous system controls bronchodilation?

Answer 38

The sympathetic nervous system.

Question 39

What stimulates the drive to breathe?

Answer 39

Increased CO2 levels (hypercapnia).

Question 40

Where does gas exchange occur?

Answer 40

Alveoli.

Question 41

What are signs of hypoxia?

Answer 41

Confusion, irritability, restlessness, dyspnea, tachypnea, cyanosis.

Question 42

What is the normal respiratory rate for adults?

Answer 42

12–20 breaths/minute (Eupnea).

Question 43

What is bradypnea?

Answer 43

A respiratory rate <12 breaths/min.

Question 44

What is tachypnea?

Answer 44

A respiratory rate >24 breaths/min.

Question 45

What is apnea?

Answer 45

Absence of breathing.

Question 46

What oxygen saturation level is considered normal?

Answer 46

95-100%

Question 47

What are the three normal breath sounds?

Answer 47

Bronchial, bronchovesicular, and vesicular.

Question 48

Describe bronchial breath sounds.

Answer 48

High-pitched, loud; longer expiration than inspiration.

Question 49

Describe bronchovesicular breath sounds.

Answer 49

Moderate pitch and intensity; equal inspiration and expiration.

Question 50

Describe vesicular breath sounds.

Answer 50

Soft, breezy; longer inspiration than expiration.

Question 51

What are crackles?

Answer 51

Intermittent popping sounds due to fluid or atelectasis.

Question 52

What causes wheezing?

Answer 52

Air moving through narrowed airways

Question 53

What does stridor indicate?

Answer 53

Emergency – severe upper airway narrowing.

Question 54

What is clubbing a sign of?

Answer 54

Chronic hypoxia.

Question 55

What is tactile fremitus?

Answer 55

Vibration felt on the chest wall when speaking.

Question 56

What is resonance in percussion?

Answer 56

Low, hollow sound over normal lung tissue.

Question 57

What does the tripod position indicate?

Answer 57

Difficulty breathing.

Question 58

What environmental/lifestyle factors affect pulmonary function?

Answer 58

Smoking, air pollution, allergens, altitude, occupation.

Question 59

What interventions promote respiratory function?

Answer 59

Repositioning, hydration, incentive spirometry, coughing/deep breathing.

Question 60

What should you do if you hear adventitious breath sounds?

Answer 60

Ask the patient to cough, reposition, and listen again.