Asepsis and Infection Control Flashcards
1st line of defense
Normal Flora
“good” bacterial/fungi that live in and/or on body
2nd line of defense
inflammatory response
local response to injury or infection
Immune response
initiated by recognition of antigens
innate vs adaptive
Innate immunity
nonspecific
immediate response to an antigen
temporary immunity with no memory
Adaptive immunity
specific
The body makes antibodies in response to the antigen
requires time to react
permanent immunity
Integumentary - role in defense
skin 1st line of defense is impermeable to most microorganisms
sweat low pH = inhibits bacterial growth
Respiratory - role in defense
cilia and mucus
contains proteins with antimicrobial proerties
Gastrointestinal - role in defense
gut flora and low pH of GI tract
Infection
presence of pathogen in a susceptible host - infection/disease state
Virulence
ability of pathogen to invade and injure host
Chain of infection
mode of transmission
portal of entry
susceptible host
infectious agent
source
port of exit
Incubation
time between pathogen entering body and presentation of 1st symptom
Prodromal
pathogen multiplies - change from general to more distinct symptoms
Illness
symptoms specific to infection
Convalescence
acute symptoms disappear and being recover (days to months)
Health-care acquired infection
HAIS
very costly
lead to prolonged recovery time
could be avoided
Signs and symptoms of infection - local
erythema, warmth, pain/tenderness, drainage, edema
signs and symptoms of infection - systemic
infiltrated into the bloodstream
fever, chills, diaphoresis, tachycardia, tachypnea
Assessment
health history, vital signs, risk assessment, labs (CBC high WBCs)
Nursing diagnosis/problem
risk for infection, impaired skin integrity
Medical asepsis
clean technique
Reduce growth/number/spread of microorganisms
hand hygiene, gloves, PPE
clean to dirty
Surgical asepsis
sterile technique
eliminate all microorganisms from an object or area
Sterile field
must remain dry
keep above the waist
never turn back
outer inch unsterile
open items away
never reach over the field
4 types of precautions
standard (used with everyone)
contact
droplet
airborne
Standard precautions
used for everyone
proper hand hygiene
gloves
clean equipment after use
discard needles
Contact precautions
hand hygiene, gown, gloves
used for known or suspected contagious disease that can spread directly or indirectly
c. diff, RSV, Hep A, scabies
Droplet Precaution
hand hygiene, mask, cloves, gown, eye cover
known or suspected contagious disease that can be spread by large droplets in the air
sneezing, coughing, talking, laughing
strep, pneumonia, mumps
Airborne Precautions
N-95, Gloves, Gown, Eye protection
Known or suspected contagious disease that can be spread by small droplets in the air
Chicken pox, TB, COVID
Disinfection
removal of pathogens, except for spores
germicidal agent disinfect objects
antiseptic agents disinfect skin
Sterilization
process used to destroy all microorganisms (spores)
physical sterilization (steam, boiling water)
chemicals sterilization (use gloves)
