Asepsis

Question 1

Name the 6 elements of the chain of infection

Answer 1

infectious agent
reservoir
portal of exit
mode of transmission
portal of entry
host

Question 2

What are the 4 factors that create the potential for microorganisms to cause disease

Answer 2

number
virulence
entry and survival in host
susceptibility of host

Question 3

What is the reservoir?

Answer 3

place a pathogen can live but not necessarily multiply

Question 4

Do different pathogens require difference environments? and if so give examples

Answer 4

yes

ex: food
oxygen
temperature
light

Question 5

What is the most common reservoir?

Answer 5

human body

Question 6

Name a few other reservoirs.

Answer 6

ticks, lice, plants, animals, water, equipment, etc.

Question 7

What is the portal of exit?

Answer 7

path the pathogen leaves the reservoir

Question 8

Give some examples of of exits in the human body

Answer 8

mouth
nose
rectal
vaginal
urethral openings
breaks in the skin

Question 9

What are pathogens carried by when they go through the portal of exit?

Answer 9

blood
body fluids
excretions
secretions

Question 10

What are the 4 modes of transmission?

Answer 10

droplet
airborne
vehicle (single contaminated source like water, drugs, food, equipment)
vectorborne (insects like fleas, ticks, mosquitos or pests like mice can transmit microbes to humans)

Question 11

What is the portal of entry?

Answer 11

same routes of exit like any break in the skin or mucous membranes

Question 12

What makes someone a susceptible host?

Answer 12

depends on degree of resistance to a pathogen

virulence, number of microorganisms and length of exposure are factors

Question 13

Give 4 samples of factors that might increase susceptibility

Answer 13

chronic disease
age
surgery
burns

Question 14

What are two items acceptable for handwashing?

Answer 14

regular soap (not anti-bacterial)
alcohol based hand sanitizer

Question 15

Who are infection control people?

Answer 15

usually nurses with special education

Question 16

What are 4 roles of an infection control person?

Answer 16

educate and advise about infection prevention and control

monitoring infections within the hospital

surveillance and analysis

collaborate with public health

Question 17

What is an excellent resource for infection control?

Answer 17

CHICA

Question 18

What are 6 factors for people that may be vulnerable to latex allergy?

Answer 18

previous sensitivity to latex or rubber

neural tube defects

multiple surgeries

health care providers

history of contact dermatitis

atopic immunological reactions

Question 19

Name 4 symptoms of latex allergy

Answer 19

local effects to skin

acute dermatitis

rhinitis

anaphylaxis

Question 20

What is the difference between a nosocomial infection vs. iatrogenic infection

Answer 20

nosocomial is an infection developed while inside a healthcare setting and wasn’t present on admission

iatrogenic is an infection caused by or arose as a complication of a medical or surgical procedure

Question 21

What is the difference between an exogenous infection and an endogenous infection?

Answer 21

exogenous infection originates outside an organ or an an organism

endogenous infection originates from with a cell or organism

Question 22

What is medical asepsis?

Answer 22

procedures used to reduce the number of and prevent the spread of microorganisms

Question 23

What are some activities nurses can do to support medical asepsis?

Answer 23

handwash
wear gloves
protective eyewear when bodily fluids involved
cap and gown
sterile equipment

Question 24

describe the difference between disinfection and sterilization

Answer 24

disinfection is the elimination of all pathogens except bacterial spores

sterilization is the destruction of all microorganisms including spores

Question 25

Name some examples of disinfectants

Answer 25

alcohols
chlorines
phenols

Question 26

Give some examples of sterilizing agents

Answer 26

steam under pressure
chemicals
hydrogen peroxide plasma

Question 27

Latex symptom: if a patients skin is red and itchy, is this an allergic response and how serious is it? Also what is it called?

Answer 27

irritant dermatitis

This would be a non-allergic response and is not a severe symptom of latex allergy

Question 28

Latex symptom: if a patient has red itchy skin and hives with possible localalized swelling, red itchy runny eyes and nose, difficulty breathing and possible coughing.. What is this allergic reaction called and how severe is it?

Answer 28

type IV hypersensitivity

can be mild to severe

Question 29

How long can type IV hypersensitivity latex reaction take to occur?

Answer 29

up to 48 hours

Question 30

Latex symptom: if a patient has hives, generalized edema, itching, rash, wheezing, broncho spasm, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, nausea, hypotension, tachycardia, cardiac arrest. What is this allergic reaction called and how severe is it?

Answer 30

type I allergic reaction

can be life threatening

Question 31

Name the 4 principles of medical asepsis

Answer 31

1. intact skin and mucous membranes
2. environment is a source of contamination
3. all blood and body fluids are considered contaminated
4. handwashing is the most important practice in preventing transmission of microorganisms

Question 32

Why is medical asepsis practiced?

Answer 32

to reduce the number of microorganisms and prevent their spread

Question 33

What are pathogenic microorganisms?

Answer 33

microorganisms capable of causing disease

Question 34

Name three fluids that would be included within standard precautions?

Answer 34

blood
feces
semen

Question 35

Name 3 essential practices for medical handwashing.

Answer 35

1. faucets are turned off with paper towels
2. friction is applied to skin surfaces
3. hands are dried thoroughly

Question 36

Identify 4 situations when handwashing must be done

Answer 36

before and after contact with a patient

before any medical procedure

after using the washroom

before eating or food handling