Chapter 28: Infection Prevention (Intro Wk) Flashcards
How does disease or infection result?
Disease or infection results only if the pathogens multiply and alter normal tissue function. You start looking for colonization, communicable diseases, look for vectors, look for symptomatic people
Define infection
Results when a pathogen invades tissues and begins growing within a host. It is the invasion of a susceptible host by pathogens or microorganisms — it results in disease
Define colonization
Presence and growth of microorganisms within a host but without tissue invasion or damage
Define communicable disease
infectious process transmitted from one person to another
What is the chain of infection include
- Infectious agent or pathogen
- Reservoir or source for pathogen growth
- Port of exit from the reservoir
- Mode of transmission
- Port of entry to a host
- Susceptible host
What is the most effective way to break the chain of infection
Hand Hygiene
What is the reservoir in the chain of infection
A place where microorganisms survive, multiply and await transfer to a susceptible host
Does the presence of a pathogen mean infection will occur?
No, the presence of a pathogen DOES NOT mean an infection will occur. Infection occurs in a cycle that depends on the presence of all of the elements in the chain of infection. If the chain is broken, you will hopefully not become symptomatic
What can be done to prevent infection
- Wash hands for 20 seconds or more
- Nutritious diet - lets of Vitamin C, Zinc, Calcium and protein
- PPE
- Prevent reservoirs for pathogens, time, date and initial all equipment and saline, sterile water
What 2 types are human reservoirs divided into
1 Those with acute or symptomatic disease
2. Those who show no signs of disease but are carriers of it
What kind of environment do organisms need to thrive
- Aerobic - bacteria that requires oxygen for survival and for multiplication sufficient to cause disease
- Anaerobic - bacteria thrive where little or no free oxygen is available
- Water or moisture for survival
- Ideal temperature between 68 - 109 F (20-43 C)
- pH between 5-7
- Dark environments such as those under dressings and within body cavities
Systemic
An infection that affects the entire body instead of just a single organ
What are modes of transmissions
- Direct
- Indirect
- Droplet
- Airborne
- Vehicles - contaminated items
- Vector - External mechanical transfer/internal transmission such as parasitic conditions
What are the 4 stages of the infectious process
- Incubation period - time interval between entrance of the pathogen and appearance of first symptoms
- Prodromal stage - may or may not see any symptoms. Most infectious. Interval from onset of nonspecific signs and symptoms to more specific symptom
- Illness stage - interval when the patient manifests signs and symptoms specific to the type of infection
- Convalescence - interval when acute symptoms of infection disappear
How do our bodies protect us against infection
Normal flora, body system defenses – our organs and by inflammation (inflammation is the cellular response of the body to injury, infection or irritation - it is also the reaction that delivers fluid, blood products and nutrients to injured area)
What is Normal flora
They are microorganisms that reside in the body and maintain a sensitive balance with other microorganisms to prevent infection
What are the inflammatory response events that take place
- Vascular and cellular responses - this process neutralizes and eliminates pathogens or dead (necrotic) tissues and establishes a means of repairing body cells and tissues
- Formation of inflammatory exudates
- Tissue repair
Explain the cellular response that occurs during inflammation
WBC arrive at the site – the WBC pass through blood vessels and into the tissues — then phagocytosis and leukocytosis
Phagocytosis
Specialized white blood cells called neutrophils and monocytes that ingest and destroy microorganisms or other small particles during the cellular response of inflammation
Leukocytosis
It is the increase in the number of circulating WBCs – response of the body to WBCs leaving blood vessels
What is the normal range of WBC in an adult
5,000 to 10,000/mm3
What does the WBC rise to during inflammation
15,000 to 20,000 or higher
What are inflammatory exudates
accumulation of fluid, dead tissue cells and WBCs forms an exudate. It can be serous (clear like plasma), sanguineous (containing RBCs) or purulent (containing WBC and bacteria)
What are signs of local vs. systemic inflammation
Local - swelling, redness, heat, pain, tenderness, loss of function in affected body part
Systemic - fever, increased WBC, nausea, vomiting, lymph node enlargement
What PPE would you wear if you were changing a wound dressing?
Wounds are purulents (contains WBCs and bacteria). First wash hands, if it smells waft it, wear goggles, mask and gloves