Asepsis and Infection Control

Question 1

antiseptic

Answer 1

a substance that tends to inhibit the growth and reproduction of microorganisms and may be used on humans

Question 2

infection prevention and control

Answer 2

implementation of policies and procedures in hospitals and other health care facilities to minimize the spread of health care-associated or community-acquired infections to patients and other staff members
the nurse is the chief player in the prevention of the spread of infection, accomplished through learning and observing routine and specialized practices of cleanliness and disinfection

Question 3

carrier

Answer 3

(aka vector) a person or animal that does not become ill but harbors and spreads an organism, causing disease in others

Question 4

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Answer 4

(CDC) part of the US Department of Health and Human Services, provides facilities and services for investigation, prevention, and control of disease

Question 5

contamination

Answer 5

a condition of being soiled, stained, touched by, or otherwise exposed to harmful agents (i.e. the entry of infectious materials into a previously clean and sterile environment)

Question 6

medical asepsis

Answer 6

techniques that inhibit the growth and transmission of pathogenic microorganisms
Known as the “clean technique” – (i.e. hand hygiene, changing bed linens)

Question 7

endogenous

Answer 7

(growing inside the body) infection caused by the patients own normal microorganisms, which become altered or overgrow, or transfer from one body site to another; i.e. microorganisms in fecal material are transferred to the skin by the hands and infect a wound

Question 8

exogenous

Answer 8

(growing outside the body) infection is caused by a microorganism from another person; i.e. an infection transmitted to the patient via a health care worker

Question 9

fomite

Answer 9

if the vehicle is inanimate or nonliving object

Question 10

health care-associated infection

Answer 10

(HAI) previously referred to as nosocomial, meaning infections patients get when undergoing medical treatment at a health care facility

Question 11

reservoir

Answer 11

any natural habitat that promotes growth and reproduction of a microorganism
where a pathogen (infectious agent) can grow (i.e. infected individual or animal)

Question 12

vector

Answer 12

(aka carrier) a person or animal that does not become ill but harbors and spreads an organism, causing disease in others

Question 13

vehicle

Answer 13

by which microorganisms are carried and transported to the next host

Question 14

Aerobic vs Anaerobic

Answer 14

bacteria only grow in the presence of oxygen vs bacteria only grow in the absence of oxygen

Question 15

hand hygiene

Answer 15

the single most important and basic preventative technique that health care workers can use to interrupt the infection process

Question 16

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Answer 16

(OSHA) hospital accrediting agencies and hospital admin place strong emphasis on infection prevention and control; infection control nurses and other members of the infection and control team function within the hospital via their committee

Question 17

standard precautions

Answer 17

these promote hand hygiene and use of gloves, masks, eye protection and gowns when appropriate for patient contact; previously referred to by the CDC as “universal blood and body fluid precautions” and body substance isolation when caring for all patients

Question 18

hand hygiene {essential when…}

Answer 18

hands visibly dirty // after contact w/ organic material (feces, wound drainage, mucus) // after removing disposable gloves // after handling contaminated equipment // at the beginning and end of a shift // before and after caring for a patient // before and after eating // before and after using the toilet // before changing a dressing // before contact with open wounds // before prepping and administering medications // in prep for an invasive procedure, i.e. suctioning, catheterization, or injections

Question 19

gown {essential when…}

Answer 19

patient activities are likely to generate splashes or sprays i.e. blood, bodily fluids, feces, secretions, or excretions

Question 20

PPE

Answer 20

Personal Protective Equipment

Question 21

Airborne precaution (PPE)

Answer 21

wear a fit-tested NIOSH-approved N-95 or higher level respirator or PAPR

Ex. Measles, Varicella, TB

Question 22

Droplet precaution (PPE)

Answer 22

don a mask

Ex. meningitis, pneumonia, sepsis, Mycoplasma pneumonia, Streptococcal pharyngitis

Question 23

Contact precaution (PPE)

Answer 23

wear gloves and gown … when appropriate?

Ex. Herpes Simplex, Clostridium difficile, Hepatitis A, Staphylococcal furunculosis

Question 24

Sterile field

Answer 24

1 in. margin/border

Question 25

Use of hand sanitizer

Answer 25

to routinely decontaminate hands

evidence suggests that the cleansing of hands with hand sanitizer is more effective in reducing HAI’s than regular hand washing

Question 26

Chain of infection

Answer 26

[1] infectious agent > [2] reservoir > [3] exit route > [4] mode of transmission > [5] entrance > [6] host > [1]

{1} pathogenic microorganism
{2} infected person or animal
{3} secretions, feces, blood, urine
{4} hands, contaminated food, air droplets, contaminated needle
{5} mouth, break in skin, mucous membrane
{6} another person

Question 27

Infection Control Nurse

Answer 27

specially trained in infection prevention and control; responsible for advising hospital personnel on development and implementation of safe patient care practices and the control of HAI’s

Question 28

surgical asepsis

Answer 28

technique designed to destroy all microorganisms and their spores
known as the “sterile” technique

Question 29

asepsis

Answer 29

the absence of pathogenic microorganisms

Question 30

disinfection

Answer 30

the use of chemicals to destroy microorganisms

Question 31

common pathogens

Answer 31

bacteria, virus, fungi, protozoa

Question 32

Virus

Answer 32

smallest known agents to cause disease

Question 33

Bacteria

Answer 33

many different characteristics; three main shapes (round, oblong, spiral)

Question 34

Fungi

Answer 34

(mycotic) among the most common diseases found in humans

Question 35

Protozoa

Answer 35

single-celled animals that exist everywhere in nature; some of the parasitic forms exist in the intestinal tract, genitourinary tract, respiratory tract, and circulatory

Question 36

rubor

Answer 36

redness

Question 37

edema

Answer 37

swelling

Question 38

signs of inflammation

Answer 38

edema, rubor, heat, pain, tenderness, loss of function

Question 39

malaise

Answer 39

generalized discomfort

Question 40

stages of infectious process

Answer 40

Incubation period > Prodromal stage > Acute stage > Convalescence

Question 41

Incubation period

Answer 41

interval between pathogens entrance into the body and first sign of symptoms

the host may be infectious during this period

Question 42

Prodromal stage

Answer 42

interval from onset of nonspecific signs (malaise, fatigue) to more specific signs

microorganisms grow and multiply and patient is more capable of spreading disease at this time

Question 43

Acute stage

Answer 43

interval when patient manifests symptoms specific to type of infection (i.e. common cold manifested by sore throat, congestion, rhinitis)

often the period where individual is most contagious

Question 44

Convalescence

Answer 44

interval when acute symptoms disappear; length of recovery depends on severity of infection. Patient recovery period could last days to months