Asepsis and Infection Control Flashcards
Exam 3
Components of the Infection Cycle:
- Infectious agent
- Reservoir
- Portal of Exit
- Means of transmission
- Portal of entry:
- Susceptible host
Infectious agent
: bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites
Reservoir:
natural habitat of the organism
Portal of exit:
point of escape for the organism
Means of transmission:
direct contact, indirect contact, airborne route
Portal of entry:
point at which organisms enter a new host
Susceptible host:
must overcome resistance mounted by host’s defenses
Most significant and most prevalent infectious agents in hospital settings
Bacteria
Smallest of all microorganisms
Virus
Fungi:
plant-like organisms present in air, soil, and water
Parasites:
live on or in a host and rely on it for nourishment
Classification of Bacteria
Categorized by SHAPE:
Categorized by response to gram staining:
Categorized by need for oxygen
How are Bacteria Categorized by SHAPE:
Spherical
Rod shaped
Corkscrew shaped
Spherical shape is also known as:
(cocci)
Rod shaped is also known as:
Rod shaped (bacilli)
Bacteria Categorized by response to gram staining:
Gram positive
Gram negative
Bacteria Categorized by need for oxygen
Aerobic
Anaerobic
Aerobic—
need oxygen to live
Anaerobic
can live without oxygen
Factors Affecting an Organism’s Potential to Produce Disease
Number of organisms
Virulence
Competence of person’s immune system
Length and intimacy of contact between person and microorganism
Endemic
occurs with predictability in one specific region or population
Pandemic
global outbreaks of a new or not previously identified virus
Possible Reservoirs for Microorganisms
Other people
Animals
Soil
Food, water, milk
Inanimate objects
Common Portals of Exit
Respiratory
Gastrointestinal
Genitourinary tracts
Breaks in skin
Blood and tissue
Means of Transmission
Direct contract
Indirect contact
Droplet
Airborne
Indirect contact includes:
Vector
Formite
Stages of Infection
- Incubation period
- Prodromal stage
- Full stage of illness
- Convalescent period
Incubation period
Organisms growing and multiplying
Prodromal stage
Person is most infectious, vague and nonspecific signs of disease
Full stage of illness
Presence of specific signs and symptoms of disease
Convalescent period
recovery from the infection
What does the inflammatory response help with:
Helps the body neutralize, control, or eliminate the offending agent, and prepare the site for repair.
What does the inflammatory response occur in response to?
Occurs in response to infection or injury
Is the inflammatory response chronic or acute?
Can be acute or chronic
Two stages of the inflammatory response:
- Vascular phase
- Cellular phase
Vascular phase
vasodilation increases blood flow (redness and heat); histamine released causes permeability of vessels and protein-rich fluid to get to the site of injury (swelling, pain, loss of function)
CELLULAR STAGE:
leukocytes/neutrophils consume debris; damaged cells are repaired
Immune Response
Body attempts to protect and defend itself
Two types of immune responses
- Humoral immunity
- Cell-mediated immunity
Humoral immunity include:
Antigens
Antibody
Antigen
foreign material (ex; bacteria)
Antibody
produced by the body in response to antigen
Cell-mediated immunity
Increase in lymphocytes that destroy or react with cells that the body recognizes as harmful
Factors Affecting Risk for Infection
Intact skin and mucous membranes
Normal pH levels
Age, sex, and hereditary factors
Body’s wbcs
Immunization, natural or acquired
Fatigue, climate, nutritional and general health status
Stress
Use of invasive or indwelling medical devices
Laboratory Data Indicating Infection
Increase in specific types of white blood cells
Elevated wbc count
Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate
Presence of pathogen in urine, blood, sputum, or draining cultures
What is the normal white blood cell count?
5000 to 10000/mm3
Outcome Identification and Planning/Infection Control
Demonstrate effective hand hygiene and good personal hygiene practices
Identify the signs of an infection
Maintain adequate nutritional intake
Demonstrate proper disposal of soiled articles
Use appropriate cleansing and disinfecting techniques
Demonstrate an awareness of the necessity of proper immunizations
Demonstrate stress-reduction techniques
Asepsis
Includes all activities to prevent infection or break the chain of infection
Two types of Asepsis
- Medical asepsis
- Surgical asepsis
Medical asepsis
Clean technique to reduce number of pathogens
Hand hygiene and wearing gloves
Surgical asepsis
Sterile technique to keep area free from microorganisms
Inserting an indwelling urinary catheter or IV
Five Moments for Hand Hygiene (WHO)
Moment 1—Before touching a patient
Moment 2—Before a clean or aseptic procedure
Moment 3—After a body fluid exposure risk
Moment 4—After touching a patient
Moment 5—After touching patient surroundings
Two types of Bacterial Flora:
- Transient
- Resident
Transient Flora:
attached loosely on skin, removed with relative ease
Resident flora:
Resident: found in creases in skin, requires friction with brush to remove
Targeted Health Care-Associated Infections (HAIs)
- Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI)
- Surgical site infection (SSI)
- Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI)
- Invasive healthcare- associated and hospital-onset methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections
- Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infections (CDIs) and CDI hospitalizations
Multidrug-Resistant Organisms
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Vancomycin Intermediate-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VISA), Vancomycin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA), and Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE)
Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE)
Acinetobacter Baumannii (CRAB)
Clostridioides Difficile (CDI)
Factors Determining Use of Sterilization and Disinfection Methods
Time
Nature of organisms present
Number of organisms present
Type of equipment
Intended use of equipment
Available means for sterilization and disinfection
Personal Protective Equipment and Supplies
Gloves
Gowns
Masks
Protective eyewear
Standard Precautions- what does it apply to?
Apply to blood, all body fluids, secretions, and excretions except sweat (whether or not blood is present or visible), nonintact skin, and mucous membranes
Standard Precautions- where is it used?
Used in the care of all hospitalized patients regardless of their diagnosis or possible infection status
What are the new additions to standard precautions
New additions are respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette, safe injection practices, and directions to use a mask when performing high-risk prolonged procedures involving spinal canal punctures
Transmission-Based Precautions
Used in addition to standard precautions for patients in hospitals with suspected infection with pathogens that can be transmitted by airborne, droplet, or contact routes.
Guidelines for Transmission Based Precautions
The 2007 guidelines include a directive to don personal protective equipment (PPE) when entering the room of a patient on transmission-based precautions, and to remove only when leaving the room.
Three types of Transmission Based Precautions
Three types (airborne, droplet, or contact) may be used alone or in combination.
Patient Teaching for Medical Asepsis at Home
Wash hands before preparing or eating food
Prepare foods at high enough temperatures
Wash hands, cutting boards, and utensils before and after handling raw poultry and meat
Keep food refrigerated
Wash raw fruits and vegetables
Use pasteurized milk and fruit juices
Wash hands after using bathroom
Use individual care items rather than sharing
Evaluating Patient Goals
Correctly use techniques of medical asepsis
Identify health habits and lifestyle patterns promoting health
State signs and symptoms of an infection
Identify unsafe situations in the home environment
