Basic Infection control principles

Question 1

What is infection control

Answer 1

Infection control is the prevention of nosocomial or health care-associated infection
It involves all co-ordinated efforts to PREVENT transmission of microorganisms in the healthcare setting
Focuses primarily on prevention of infection passed between nurse, patient and staff as well as from one patient to another

Question 2

List the components of standard precaution

Answer 2

Hand hygiene
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Safe procedure practices and sharps disposal
Correct and safe waste management
Patient placement – Isolation
Cough etiquette- respiratory hygiene
Linen handling and segregation
Occupational health
Decontamination of equipment and the environment

Question 3

What are the types of precautions

Answer 3

1. Transmission-based precautions
2. Procedure-based precautions

Question 4

What are transmission based precautions

Answer 4

Interventions put in place to reduce the chance of infection transmission for particular pathogens

Question 5

What are procedure-based precautions

Answer 5

This is the requirements for specific interventions , to reduce the risk of infection…in other words the how and why we do specific things
Two main techniques:
medical asepsis
surgical asepsis

Question 6

What are the 5 moments of hand washing

Answer 6

1) before patient contact
2) before aseptic task
3) after body fluid exposure risk
4) after patient contact
5) after contact with patient surroundings

Question 7

when should you wash your hands

Answer 7

Before handling food, feeding the patient and eating
After visiting the toilet
Before and after providing any care to the patient
Before and after handling medication
Before attending to a clean or aseptic procedure
After touching patient surroundings
Whenever hands are visibly dirty or visibly soiled with blood or other body fluids
After nose blowing

Question 8

what are some examples of ppe

Answer 8

Disposable gloves
Gowns
Aprons
Eye protection
Masks
Boots in certain cases
“Space suits” with respirators attached

Question 9

when to remove gloves

Answer 9

After contact with each patient
When performing separate procedures on same patient
When they are damaged
Before touching any other item e.g. pen, patient file, cell phone
On completion of task that required gloves

Question 10

when do you make use of gowns and aprons

Answer 10

Bed making, bathing
Wound care
Dealing with spillages
Preparing and serving of food
Theatre
Nursing patients in isolation

Question 11

when do you make use of gowns and aprons

Answer 11

Bed making, bathing
Wound care
Dealing with spillages
Preparing and serving of food
Theatre
Nursing patients in isolation