Week 2 - Microbial System

Question 1

define symbiosis

Answer 1

together, live

Question 2

Briefly describe the symbiotic relationship below:

Mutualism

Answer 2

both benefit

Question 3

Briefly describe the symbiotic relationship below:

Commensal

Answer 3

one benefits

Question 4

Briefly describe the symbiotic relationship below:

Parasitic

Answer 4

one benefits, one is harmed

Question 5

Briefly describe the symbiotic relationship below:

Opportunistic

Answer 5

micro-organisms or infectious agent (microbiota) in
- incorrect location or
- incorrect proportion = pathogenic

Question 6

Differentiate a resident from a transient microorganism

Answer 6

Resident= inhabit normal locations or extended periods
Transient= temporary vistors

Question 7

List the main locations of human microbiota

Answer 7

• Digestive tract- mouth, small and large intestine, skin, upper respiratory tract, vagina

Question 8

list reported functions of the human microbiota

Answer 8

• help digest food
• produce ATOP and vitamins
• produce hormones, neurotransmitters, gasses, anti-inflammatory chemicals
• immunity

Question 9

discuss the impact of appropriate nutrition, sleep and physical exercise on the composition and functioning of the colon microbiota

Answer 9

• maintain the correct diversity, balance and functioning of the colon microbiota

Question 10

Describe the formation, composition, location and functioning of a biofilm

Answer 10

• organised, layered system of microorganisms (bacteria) attached to each other and surface.
  Function as a group by communicating through chemical signals

Question 11

One of the principles for cleaning a circular wound is to swab from inside to outside.

Justify why you would clean in this way

Answer 11

• avoid moving resident microbiota or transient microbe into area of broken skin (first line of defence)

Question 12

Explain what this indicates (what area is the wettest region of wounds) about the bacterial distribution across each wound

Answer 12

moisture will flow down with gravity. wetter region of the wound will favour bacterial growth

Question 13

One of the nursing principles for cleaning a long wound is to clean from top to bottom. Justify why you would clean in this way

Answer 13

avoid moving bacteria in wettest region (high bacterial population) to driest region (lower bacterial population)

Question 14

Insertion of a urinary catheter into the uretha. Explain why the catheterisation process is conducted aspectically by the nurse

Answer 14

• prevent introduction of microorganisms (resident and transient) from the perineum into the urinary tract

Question 15

Administration of intravenous fluids and medications. Explain why an intravenous cannula is replaced every 24 - 48 hours

Answer 15

avoid biofilm formation. canola breaks first and second line of defence

Question 16

insertion and feeding through a nasogastric tube

explain why a nasogastric tube is not left in place indefinitely

Answer 16

• avoid biofilm formation
• tube breaks first line of defence
• feed provides nutrient source for microorganism

Question 17

ministration o prescribed oral and intravenous antibiotics

discuss why these medications are significant to your and the patients microbiota

Answer 17

• destroy and upset the balance of microorganisms in the resident microbial communities of the body