Asepsis & Infection Control Flashcards
smallest infectious agent
Viruses
single celled reproduced quickly
Bacteria
single celled found in soil (most do not cause disease)
Protozoans
complex cell structure (most do not cause disease
Fungi
cause disease
Parasites
What are the 5 microorganisms
Viruses Bacteria Protozoans Fungi Parasites
What is in the chain of infection? (6 things)
Infectious agent Reservoir Portal of exit Mode of transmission Portal of entry Host
Microorganisms need what to grow?
Proper temperature
pH
moisture level
animal, insect or human body where pathogen is growing (carrier, unaware of presence of pathogen)
Reservoir host
resistant to pathogens and the disease they cause
Immunity
If defenses are not functioning properly:
person will become susceptible to invasion and infection
What are the 3 lines of defense?
Intact skin
Normal flora
Staying healthy
the presence of a pathogen in or on the body
Infection
mechanisms to protect us against pathogens in general
Nonspecific defenses
Examples of nonspecific defenses
Species resistance Mechanical barriers Chemical barriers Fever Inflammation Phagocytosis
naturally exposed to an antigen (usually long lasting) Best way to get immunity
Naturally acquired active
being injected with a pathogen (immunizations or vaccines)
Artificially acquired
immunity through his mother (short-lived)
Naturally acquired passive
immunity when person is injected with antibodies (short-lived, 2-3 weeks)
Artificially acquired passive
must spread to another host by some means of transmission
Means of transportation
living organisms, insects or person
Vectors
inanimate objects such as clothing, water, food
Fomites
Susceptible host is determined by (8)
Age
Genetic predisposition
Nutritional status
Disease process
Stress levels
Hygiene habits, intact skin and mucous membranes
Healthy immune system: Use of steroids/biological drugs
Use of invasive or indwelling medical devices
How do we break the chain of infection with etiologic agent?
Correctly cleaning, disinfecting or sterilizing articles before use
condition in which pathogens are absent or controlled
Asepsis
Clean technique - based on maintaining cleanliness to prevent spread of microorganisms
Medical asepsis
reduction of the number of microorganisms, removing germs-not killing
sanitation
destruction of infectious agents on an object except spores-chemicals to kill the germs—cannot kill spores (dormant bacteria)
disinfection
removal of all microorganisms including spores
Sterilization
Keep the surgical environment completely free of all microorganisms.
Surgical Asepsis
examples of surgical asepsis (4)
inserting an indwelling catheter
administering an injection
surgical environment
inserting intravenous access
What does OSHA Provide?
Exposure control Plan must be created
Training provided &must provide all PPE
Hep B vaccination for all HC workers
an approach to infection control to treat all human blood and certain human body fluids as if they were known to beinfectious.
Universal Precautions definition per OSHA
Combination of Universal Precautions and rules to reduce the risk of disease transmission. Used for the care of all patients, regardless of their diagnosis or presumed infection status.
Standard Precautions
Donning PPE order
Gown
Mask
Goggles
Gloves
Removing PPE order
Gloves
Goggles
Gown
Mask
Signs of Localized Infection (5)
Localized swelling
Localized redness
Pain or tenderness with palpation or movement (gloves)
Palpable heat in the infected area
Loss of function of the body part affected
Signs of Systemic Infection (5)
Fever
Increased pulse and respiratory rate if the fever high
Malaise and loss of energy
Anorexia and, in some situations, nausea and vomiting
Enlargement and tenderness of lymph nodes that drain the area of infection
Signs of infection from the lab
Elevated WBC count- neutrophylls, lymphocytes Elevated ESR (erythroycyte sedimentation rate)
an infection that occurs as a result of a treatment or diagnostic procedure
Iatrogenic
when the causative organism is acquired from other people (salmonella, fungal infection)
Exogenous
Urinary Tract
Surgical or Traumatic Wounds
Respiratory Tract
Bloodstream
Sites for HAIs
Interval between the pathogen entering the body & the presentation of the first finding
Incubation
Interval from onset of general findings to more distinct findings; during this time, the pathogen multiplies
Prodromal stage
Interval when findings specific to the infection occur
illness stage
Interval when acute findings disappear, total recovery taking days to months
Convalescence
Droplet precautions
> 5mcg
travel 3-6 ft from client
strepth, pneumonia
Airborne precautions
smaller than 5 mcg
N95
measles, varicella
