Ch.22 Infection Control

Question 1

____________ is a condition that results when microorganisms cause injury to a host.

Answer 1

Infection

Question 2

____________ is a condition during which microorganisms are present, but the host does not manifest any signs or symptoms of infection.

Answer 2

Colonization

Question 3

Nurses should remove their ____________ and wash their hands immediately before caring for another client.

Answer 3

Gloves

Question 4

____________ waste containers are emptied at the end of each shift.

Answer 4

Soiled

Question 5

Maintaining ____________ skin is an excellent first-line defense against acquiring nosocomial infections.

Answer 5

Intact

Question 6

The incidence of ____________ infection for senior citizen community living is twice that of the general population.

Answer 6

Tuberculosis

Question 7

The use of standard precautions reduces the potential for transmitting ____________ pathogens from moist body substances.

Answer 7

Blood-borne

Question 8

Symptoms of infections tend to be ____________ among senior clients.

Answer 8

More subtle

Question 9

Diseases that spread from one person to another are also called ____________ or communicable diseases.

Answer 9

Contagious

Question 10

____________ trash is refuse that will decompose naturally into less complex compounds.

Answer 10

Biodegradable

Question 11

What technique is the nurse conducting?

Answer 11

The figure shows two nurses performing the double-bagging technique.

Question 12

What are the advantages of the double bagging technique?

Answer 12

Double bagging is an infection control measure in which one bag of contaminated items, such as trash or laundry, is placed within another. This measure requires two people.

• One person bags the items and deposits the bag in a second bag, which is held by another person outside the client’s room.
• The person holding the second bag prevents contamination by manipulating the bag underneath a folded cuff.

Question 13

Infectious agent reproduces and exits host.

Answer 13

Incubation period

Question 14

Initial symptoms are vague and nonspecific

Answer 14

Prodromal Stage

Question 15

Symptoms become severe and specific

Answer 15

Acute Stage

Question 16

Host overcomes the infectious agent

Answer 16

Convalescent Stage

Question 17

The pathogen is destroyed. Health improves or is restored

Answer 17

Resolution

Question 18

Presented here are steps in random order. They are steps that occur during the removal of personal protective equipment worn by nurses. Write the correct sequence in the boxes provided.

1. Roll up the gown and discard it in the waste container.
2. Remove the gown without touching the frontside.
3. Fold the soiled side of the gown to the inside.
4. Untie the mask and discard without touching the facial portion.
5. Remove the gloves and discard them in a lined waste container.
6. Untie the neck and waist closure of the gown.

Answer 18

5. Remove the gloves and discard them in a lined waste container.
6. Untie the neck and waist closure of the gown.
7. Remove the gown without touching the frontside.
8. Fold the soiled side of the gown to the inside.
9. Roll up the gown and discard it in the waste container.
10. Untie the mask and discard without touching the facial portion.

Question 19

How can nurses promote social interaction for infectious clients?

Answer 19

When transmission-based precautions are in effect, it is important to plan frequent contact with the client.

Nurses encourage visitors to come as often as the agency’s policies and the client’s condition permit.

They use every opportunity to emphasize that as long as visitors follow the infection control precautions, they are not likely to acquire the disease.

Question 20

Why are senior clients more susceptible to infections?

Answer 20

Senior clients are more susceptible to infections because of diminished immune system functioning and inadequate nutrition and fluid intake.

Symptoms of infections tend to be more subtle among senior clients, who tend to have a lower normal or baseline temperature.

Question 21

What are the three types of transmission-based precautions?

Answer 21

The three types of transmission-based precautions are

• airborne precautions
• droplet precautions
• contact precautions

These three types replace the earlier categories of

• strict isolation
• contact isolation
• respiratory isolation
• tuberculosis isolation
• enteric precautions
• drainage/secretion precautions

Question 22

Which items are included in personal protective equipment?

Answer 22

Direct contact involves skin-to-skin contact with an infected or colonized person.

Indirect contact occurs by touching a contaminated intermediate object in the client’s environment.

Contact precautions are measures used to block the transmission of pathogens by direct or indirect contact.

Question 23

Why are soiled dressings wrapped before being destroyed?

Answer 23

Nurses wrap moist items such as soiled dressings so that, during their containment, flying or crawling insects cannot transfer pathogens.

Eventually, the bag and its contents are destroyed by incineration or they are autoclaved.

Autoclaved items can be safely disposed of in landfills.

Question 24

Infectious diseases spread from one person to another, so prevention and proper infection control are the best ways to approach interaction with infectious diseases. Answer the following questions regarding the nurse’s role in infection control.

A nurse is caring for a senior client with influenza at the health care facility. The client does not show any major symptoms of the infection. The client’s family members have come to visit them at the health care facility because they are a long-term resident.

What precautions should the nurse take to avoid the transmission of pathogens?

Answer 24

To avoid the transmission of pathogens, the nurse should ensure that senior clients, family members in close contact with senior clients, and all personnel in health care settings obtain annual immunizations against influenza.

Visitors with respiratory infections need to wear a mask or avoid contact with older adults in their homes or long-term care settings until their symptoms have subsided.

In addition to the mask, frequent, thorough hand washing can help prevent the transfer of organisms.

Health care workers who are ill should take sick leave rather than expose susceptible clients to infectious organisms.

Question 25

Why do symptoms of infections tend to be more subtle among senior clients?

Answer 25

Symptoms of infections tend to be more subtle among older adults because senior clients have a lower normal or baseline temperature (a temperature in the normal range may actually be elevated for an older adult).

Infections are more likely to have a rapid course and life-threatening consequences after they become established.

Common manifestations of infections in senior clients include changes in behavior and mental status.