Aseptic Technique

Question 1

Define Asepsis

Answer 1

Absence of pathogenic micro-organisms

Question 2

Define Aseptic (non touch) technique

Answer 2

Aseptic non‐touch technique (ANTT) is the practice of avoiding contamination by not touching key elements such as the tip of a needle, the seal of an intravenous connector after it has been decontaminated, or the inside surface of a sterile dressing where it will be in contact with the wound

Question 3

Define Key Part

Answer 3

“Key-parts: the aseptic parts of the procedure equipment that need to have direct contact with aseptic key-parts of the patient, key-sites, or any liquid infusion.”

Question 4

State three procedures when an aseptic (non touch) technique is used

Answer 4

Changing a wound dressing
Urethral catheterisation
Insertion of an intravenous cannula

Question 5

Identify 4 principles of ascetic (non touch) technique

Answer 5

A)lways wash hands effectively
N)ever contaminate key parts
T)ouch non key parts with confidence
T)ake appropriate infective precautions

Question 6

State the difference between clean and sterile

Answer 6

Clean - Free from soil, dust or dirt.

Sterile - Completely free from micro-organisms that could cause infection

Question 7

State the difference between detergent and disinfectant

Answer 7

Detergent - Cleansing agent that removes dirt from a surface

Disinfectant - An agent that removes or destroys bacteria and other micro-organisms

Question 8

Define micro-organism

Answer 8

“Any organism too small to be visible to the naked eye. Micro-organisms include bacteria, some fungi, mycoplasmas, protozoa, rickettsiae and viruses.”

Question 9

Define colonisation (of micro-organisms)

Answer 9

“Micro-organisms that establish themselves in a particular environment, such as a body surface, without producing disease”

Question 10

Define pathogen

Answer 10

A micro-organism that causes disease

Question 11

State three signs of a localised infection

Answer 11

Redness
Swelling
Pain
Heat
Exudate
Malodour

Question 12

State three signs of systemic infection

Answer 12

Pyrexia
Tachycardia
Tachypnoea

Question 13

What does PPE stand for

Answer 13

Personal Protective Equipment

Question 14

State three occasions when PPE should be used

Answer 14

Risk of exposure of hands/clothing to blood or body fluids
Handling sharps
Risk of exposure of mucus membranes to splashing of blood/body fluid

Question 15

State three occasions when hand hygiene should occur

Answer 15

Immediately before every epodes of patient contact or care
Immediately after every epodes of patient contact or care
Immediately after removal of gloves

Question 16

State three reasons to use soap and water rathe than use alcohol gel

Answer 16

Hands are visibly soiled
Hands are potentially contaminated with body fluids
Hands are potentially contaminated with alcohol resistant organisms (Such as C.Diff)

Question 17

State the difference between transitory microorganisms and resident microorganisms

Answer 17

Transitory - micro-organisms that are acquired on skin through contact with a surface
Resident - micro-organisms that live in the deeper crevices of skin and hair follicles

Question 18

Does hand hygiene remove transitory or resident micro-organisms

Answer 18

Transitory

Question 19

State three parts of the body that are sterile

Answer 19

Brain
Spinal Cord
Vascular system
Peritoneal cavity

Question 20

State three parts of the body that are not sterile

Answer 20

Mouth and nose
Skin
Intestinal tract

Question 21

State what to do in the event of a sharps injury

Answer 21

Encourage any wound to bleed freely (but do not squeeze)
Wash any wound with soap and water
Cover any wound with waterproof dressing
Ensure patient is safe
Report injury to line manager and Occupation Health
Follow instructions
Report incident

Question 22

State three activities that may expose a nurse to body fluids

Answer 22

Changing a wound dressing
Urethral catheterisation
Insertion of an intravenous catheter

Question 23

What should you do if you contaminate or do not maintain an ascetic (non touch) technique

Answer 23

Key-parts: stop and restart as required to maintain asepsis

Key-sites: ???

Question 24

Define nosocomial

Answer 24

An infection that originates in a hospital

Question 25

What does the abbreviation HCAI stand for

Answer 25

Healthcare Associated Infection