8.3 Infection Control

Question 1

Several general principles apply whenever cleaning is required:

Answer 1

• Always clean from the least contaminated area toward the more contaminated area from the top down.
• Avoid raising dust.
• Do not contaminate yourself or clean areas.
• Clean all equipment that comes in contact with patients after each use. Use a cloth moistened with disinfectant.
• Mix bleach in a 1:10 solution daily, because its effectiveness declines rapidly when diluted.

Question 2

These sets are designed to reduce the risk of airborne, droplet, and contact transmission

Answer 2

Transmission-based Precautions

Question 3

are used to to prevent diseases such tuberculosis and measles (rubeola)

Answer 3

Airborne precautions

Question 4

HCWs and visitors entering the room must wear particulate respirators. These mask must be capable of filtering particles 1 micron in size and have 95& efficiency. Patients under airborne precaution are placed in rooms with negative airflow and special air circulation with more than six air exchanges/hr to the outdoors or through high-efficiency particulate (HEPA) filter. The doors to these rooms must always remain closed

Answer 4

Airborne precautions

Question 5

are used to prevent the transmission of diseases such a diphtheria, pneumonia, and influenza. HCWs and visitors coming in close contact with these patients must wear surgical masks, but no special air circulation

Answer 5

Droplet precautions

Question 6

are used to prevent transmission of diseases such as MDR wound infections caused by MRSA and VRE, the new strain of E. coli (O157:H7) that causes gastrointestinal and renal problems, and various skin infections such as impetigo. HCWs and visitors who come in contact with infected patients must wear gloves and a gown

Answer 6

Contact precautions

Question 7

are used to prevent transmission of the virus that causes SARS and the varicella virus that causes chicken pox and disseminated herpes zoster. HCWs and visitors who have not had chicken pox should avoid contact with infected patients. Previously infected personnel need not wear masks

Answer 7

Combination airborne and contact precaution

Question 8

Precautions for Compromised Patients were once referred to as

Answer 8

reverse isolation or protective isolation

Question 9

require that the equipment be cleaned before entering the patient’s room

Answer 9

Precautions for Compromised Patients

Question 10

is required before touching the patient, the bed, or articles handled by the patient. Masks, caps, sterile gowns, and gloves may be worn in the same manner used for a surgical procedure or a modification of surgical technique may be indicated

Answer 10

Hand hygiene

Question 11

Is the complete destruction of all organisms and spores from equipment used to perform patient care or procedures

Answer 11

Surgical Asepsis

Question 12

involves the immersion and soaking of clean objects in a bath of germicidal solution followed by a sterile water rinse

Answer 12

Chemical sterilization

Question 13

The effectiveness of this process depends on the solution strength and temperature and the immersion time, all of which are difficult to control accurately

Answer 13

Chemical sterilization

Question 14

such as that in an oven, is require to sterile some sharp instruments, certain powders, and greasy substances

Answer 14

Dry heat

Question 15

are cleaned, wrapped, and place in low-temperature hydrogen peroxide gas plasma through the wrapped instruments and effectively kills both microorganisms and spores

Answer 15

Gas plasma technology items

Question 16

is a device that provides steam sterilization under pressure, the most commonly used sterilization method. It is also the quickest and most convenient means of sterilization for items that can withstand heat and moisture

Answer 16

autoclave

Question 17

use chemical indicators to identify that a pack has been sterilized. Indicators change color when the required conditions have met. Hospitals also use ______ to ensure that all forms of microbial life are destroyed during the sterilization process

Answer 17

Sterility indicators,
biologic indicators (Bis)

Question 18

is a microorganism-free area prepared for the use of sterile supplies and equipment.

Answer 18

Sterile fields

Question 19

The first step in preparing a sterile field is to confirm the _____ of packaged supplies and equipment

Answer 19

sterility

Question 20

Packages are considered sterile if the meet the following criteria:

Answer 20

• They are clean, dry, and unopened.
• Their expiration date has not been exceeded.
• Their sterility indicators have changed to to a predetermined color, confirming sterilization

Question 21

is used by radiographers when sterile gowning is not required

Answer 21

Open Gloving Technique