Basics of Asepsis Flashcards
Test Review
Who poses the greatest risk of transmitting infections between patients?
Healthcare workers
Why is a patient in the hospital at risk of infection?
Decreased immunity
What is the easiest way to reduce transmission of infection throughout the hospital
hand washing
Asepsis Definition
absence of disease producing microorganisms
Cross Contamination Definition
Transmission of microorganism between places and/or persons
Microorganisms Definition
Microscopic life forms that are present in every environment
Sterile Definition
complete absence of all forms of microorganisms
Nosocomial Infection Definition
Hospital acquired infection (HAI) - infection you didn’t have prior to being in the hospital
Pathogen Definition
Microorganisms capable of causing disease in humans
Virulent Organism Definition
Organism that can produce disease very easily in many indivduals
Vegetative Organism Definition
Organisms in active growth- pose greatest risk in respiratory equipment
What elements are needed for an infection to spread? (Chain of Infection)
Source of infectious agent, susceptible host, mode of transmission
What factors make a patient more susceptible to infection?
Decreased immunity, poorly controlled diabetes, elderly, premature baby, HIV, chemo/radiation, surgical incision, urinary catheter, centrel venous catheter, ET tube
How do infections spread to the lungs?
Aspiration of contaminated oral/gastric secretions, Patient intakes droplet containing pathogen, spread from infection in blood
What is the CDC and what did they develop?
Center for Disease- developed guidelines for isolation of patients with infections
What is the purpose of universal precautions (Stand Precautions)
Implies that all patients are assumed to be potentially infected and these precautions are to be carried out by all persons entering the room.
Who should follow Standard Precaution guidelines?
All persons entering the room
What guidelines are included in Standard Precautions?
Handwashing, use gloves, gowns, eye protection, mask to mouth ventilation devices, placed of infected patient
What is the purpose of barrier devices and list the devices:
To protect you from the patients infection- PPE: personal protective equipment includes- gowns, gloves, masks, goggles, face shield, shoe covers, caps
When is it important to wear gloves?
To protect you- should always be worn when doing procedures, especially when drawing blood, or exposure to potentially harmful microorganism
What body fluids require standard precautions?
Blood, seman, vaginal secretions, tissue, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, nonintact skin, mucous membranes
If you are at risk of being splashed with blood during a procedure, what is essential to wear?
goggles, mask, face shield, gowns, gloves
What are the routes of transmission of infectious diseases?
eyes, nose, mouth, skin breaks or skin contact, urinary and reproductive tract, respiratory droplets, feces and urine
Explain what needs to be followed in reference to sharps precaution:
dispose of all sharps items in speical puncture proof container labeled biohazards, never recap a needle, never dispose of needles or sharp object in trash can, do not remove discarded needles or syrings from sharpsor attemptto force a needle or sharp instrument into analready full container, always use gloves when drawing blood or handling contaminated items
What is the purpose of a mask to mouth ventilation device?
To protect rescuer during CPR to not come in contact with patients mucus membranes
What is drug resistant pathogen and what causes this to occur?
Pathogen in an infected patient that do not respond to antibiotics. this is caused from overuse or misuse of antibiotics
