Chapter 28: Infection Prevention & Control Flashcards
Define infection:
host invaded by pathogens/microorganisms (results in disease)
What causes disease?
entry and multiplication of organisms in a host
What is a communicable disease?
Infectious process transmitted from one person to another
Describe a symptomatic infection:
Pathogens multiply and cause clinical signs and symptoms
Describe an asymptomatic infection:
Infection where signs and symptoms are not present
How can we prevent and control transmission of infections?
Hand hygiene (hand washing)
What is the chain of infection (6):
- infectious agent
- reservoir
- portal of exit
- mode of transmission
- portal of entry
- host
Define immunocompromised:
having an impaired immune system
Define Virulence:
ability to produce disease
Describe aerobic bacteria:
Bacteria that requires oxygen for survival & multiplication
Describe anaerobic bacteria:
Bacteria that thrive with little or no oxygen
Define bacteriostasis:
Prevention of growth and reproduction of bacteria
Define bactericidal:
Destruction of bacteria
What do you treat bacterial infections with?
Antibiotic treatment
What do you treat viral infections with?
Antiviral medications (only treat some viruses)
What do you treat fungal infections with?
Antifungal medications
What do you treat parasite infections with?
Depends on type
What is a reservoir?
Place where microbe survives, multiplies, and waits to transfer to a host
Can symptomatic humans be reservoirs?
Yes
Can asymptomatic humans be reservoirs?
Yes
What are examples of reservoirs (5):
- food
- water
- insects
- animals
- inanimate objects
What are the modes of transmission (6):
- direct contact
- indirect contact
- droplet
- airborne
- vehicle
- vector
Describe direct transmission:
Person to person (fecal-oral)
Describe indirect transmission:
Contact with contaminated object (needle, dressings, etc.)
Describe droplet transmssion:
Large droplets via coughing, sneezing, talking (travel up to 3 ft)
Describe airborne transmission:
Small droplets/residue carried on dust particles
Describe vehicle:
Object that transports infection (water, food, doorknob)
Describe vector transmission:
Animal that carries the microorganism
Describe the Infectious Process (4):
- incubation period
- prodromal stage
- illness stage
- convalescence
Describe the incubation period:
From entrance of microbe to first symptoms
Describe the Prodromal Stage?
From onset to nonspecific to more specific signs and symptoms
Describe the illness stage:
From specific signs and symptoms to type of infection