Ch 24: Asepsis And infection Flashcards
define asepsis
Absence of disease producing organisms
Regarding infectious agents describe 1. bacteria 2. viruses 3. fungi
what is a reservoir// what is a resevior aka?
what are means of transportation
how do you describe a portal of entry
Bacteria: MOST COMMON
Viruses: SMALLEST Cold, HIV
Fungi: mold, yeast
Reservoir: natural habitat 
-reservoir a.k.a. carriers
Means of transportation:
- direct contact
- indirect contact
- airborne
Port of entry: point at which organisms enter host
what must infectious agents overcome host overcome
who are susceptible hosts
How must we care for a wound
Infectious agents must overcome resistance mounted by hosts defense
Hosts at risk:
- newborns
- elderly
- immunocompromised
- catheter
- poor hygiene/nutrition (obese)
Care for wound Aseptically 
What is the number one way to break the infectious cycle
What are ways to break the infectious cycle
1: hand hygiene
- proper equipment
- proper disposal
- sterilization
Give examples of fungi and where they are present
Fungi examples:
- Tinea pedis
- ringworm address: parasites living on outer skin
- helmets: parasitic worms
- flukes
- nematodes: round worm
- malaria
Fungi present in air, soil, water
How is bacteria classified
(3 classifications) 
Give examples of anaerobic bacteria
- Shape
- Reaction to gram stain
- Aerobic or anaerobic
Anaerobic: -clostridium tetani -clostridium botulinum: food poisoning -clostridium perfringens: gangrene - E. coli 
What is the process of colonization give an example
Describe virulence
How do you describe an opportunistic infection
Colonization is a process in which microbes become resident flora
-people walking with MRSA ( resident) don’t know and begins spreading it
Virulence: strength of pathogen to invade host
Opportunistic infections are present in normal flora and overgrow causing infection if host’s immune system is not competent
-candida
What can viruses cause That is very common and what do you do
Viruses can cause the common cold that does not respond to antibiotics patient must run the course of the cold
Give the five possible reservoirs for micro organisms
Contact Vectors Clostridium‘s Separate into three A.k.a. (specific to hospital)
Other people: through direct contact or proximity
-activities: touching, sex

animals ( A.k.a. vector)
-factors such as rabies, Zika, West nile
soil : clostridium perfringens: gangrene + clostridium tetani  •food: E. coli •water: (GI)ardia •milk: listeria
inanimate objects (AKA Fomites )
-artificial nails stethoscopes scrubs
***How do we prevent being reservoirs for micro organisms
- Change linens daily with gloves
- do not shake out
- do not put on floor
- hold close
- do not clean linen on scrub
What infection or disease can spread by touching contaminant in adamant (fomite) objects
Influenza conspired by touching inanimate (four mites) contaminated objects
What are common portals of exit and their infections
Respiratory : airborne and droplet
-I. E: pneumonia and TB
G.I. exposure to E. coli,
Shingella , Salmonella

GU : infection with E. coli and hep A
Breaks in skin: herpes
Blood and tissue: HIV, HEP B&C
In hospitals when we’re looking at IV skin what are we looking for
What procedures require aseptic technique in hospitals
We’re looking at IV skin we’re looking for signs of infection such as erythema, warms
Aseptic technique required for:
- injections
- catheterization
- wounds
- incisions
Give the four stages of infection And describe each
1. Incubation: organism growing and multiplying
- Prodromal stage: MOST INFECTIOUS!!
- vague and non-specific of disease - Full stage of illness: Specific signs and symptoms of disease
- Convalescent period: recovery from infection
What population may be more ill then they appear
Elders and alcoholics may be more ill than they appear due to decreased thermal regulation or absence of fever
CARDINAL Signs of acute “local” infection
Erythema Edema Warmth Pain Loss of function to affected side
Signs and symptoms of systemic (SPECIFIC) infection
-Fever 101+
-WBC plus sign 10K
-MALAISE: feeling of lack of well-being, Uncomfy
- Tachycardia/ypnea
- Enlarged lymph nodes
When someone is in the prodomal stage of infection what do they not realize
How long does it take food poisoning to present
How long does it take HIV to present
When someone is in the prodromal stage they often do not realize they are contagious
Food poisoning = 8hours to present
HIV = 6 months – 1 year
What type of factors affect host susceptibility
(
-intact skin and mucous membranes
-PH/WBC
-age, sex, race, hereditary
-immunization: natural or acquired
• passive: injection of immunoglobulin
• exposure to antigen
-Fatigue, climate, nutritional/general health
-stress = ⬆️ risk of infection
-use of invasive or indwelling devices
• IV/Cath
• external fixator‘s/drains
Who are the most susceptible hosts
What do cortical steroids cause
The most susceptible hosts are neonates and the elderly
Cortical steroids cause an increase in infection because they decrease bodies protective inflammation