Chapter 5: Infection Prevention and Control

Question 1

Infection prevention:

Answer 1

set of methods practiced in healthcare facilities to prevent and control the spread of infection

Question 2

Two types of infections

Answer 2

Localized infection: infection that is limited to a specific location in the body
Local symptoms or symptoms are near the site of infection
Ex: red, swollen, warm, painful

Systemic infection: affects the entire body
Travels through the bloodstream and is spread throughout the body
Ex: fever, chills, mental confusion

Question 3

Healthcare-associated infection (HAI)

Answer 3

infection acquired in a healthcare setting during the delivery of medical care

Question 4

Chain of infection

Answer 4

way of describing how the disease is transmitted from one human being to another

Question 5

Chain link 1: Causative Agent

Answer 5

Pathogenic microorganism that causes disease

EX: bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites

Question 6

Chain link 2: Reservoir

Answer 6

Where the pathogen lives and multiplies

Ex: human, animal, plant, soil substance
Ideal environments for microorganisms to live, grow, and multiply are warm, dark, and moist places

Question 7

Chain link 3: Portal of Exit

Answer 7

Opening on an infected person that allows pathogens to leave

EX: nose, mouth, eyes, cut in the skin

Question 8

Chain Link 4: Mode of Transportation

Answer 8

Describes how the pathogen travels through contact, droplet or airborne transmission

Direct contact: happens by touching the infected person or their secretions

Indirect contact: results from touching an object contaminated by the infected person

Question 9

Chain link 5: Portal of Entry

Answer 9

Any body opening on an uninfected person that allows pathogen to enter

EX: nose, mouth, eyes, other mucous membranes, cuts in the skin, cracked skin

Question 10

Chain link 6: Susceptible Host

Answer 10

The uninfected person who could become ill

Question 11

Medical asepsis

Answer 11

measures used to reduce and prevent the spread of pathogens

Question 12

Surgical asepsis (sterile technique)

Answer 12

makes an object or area completely free of all microorganisms

Question 13

Why are the elderly at higher risk for infection

Answer 13

Weakened immune system
Chronic illnesses
Malnutrition
Dehydration
Limited mobility
Hospitalized more often

Question 14

Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Answer 14

makes rules to protect workers from hazards on job

Question 15

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Answer 15

protect and improve the health of individuals and communities

Question 16

Standard Precautions

Answer 16

treating blood and other body fluids, nonintact skin and mucous membranes as if they were infected

Promotes safety
Ways to stop the spread of infection by interrupting the mode of transmission

Question 17

Hand hygiene

Answer 17

washing hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based had rub

Question 18

PPE

Answer 18

quipment that helps protect employees from serious injuries or illnesses resulting from contact with workplace hazards

Must be put on (donning) if there is chance of coming into contact with blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, mucous membranes, or open wounds
Order: gown, mask, goggles, gloves

Question 19

Clean

Answer 19

not been contaminated with pathogens

Question 20

dirty

Answer 20

contaminated with pathogens

Question 21

disinfection

Answer 21

process that destroys most, but not all, pathogens

Question 22

sterilization

Answer 22

cleaning measure that destroys all microorganisms, including those that form spores

Question 23

Transmission-based Precautions

Answer 23

second level of precautions for persons who are infected or may be infected with certain infectious diseases

Question 24

Airborne Precautions

Answer 24

prevent the spread of pathogens that can be transmitted through the air after being expelled

EX: TB (tuberculosis)
Wearing special masks

Question 25

Droplet precautions

Answer 25

used for disease that are spread by droplets in the air

Talking, coughing, sneezing, laughing, singing, or suctioning can spread droplets
Ex: Influenza
Wearing face masks, restricting visits from uninfected people, residents should wear masks when being moved from room to room

Question 26

Contact precautions

Answer 26

used when resident may spread an infection by direct contact with a person or object

Ex: conjunctivitis (pink eye), C. diff
Wear gloves, gown, isolate resident, washing hands

Question 27

Bloodborne pathogens

Answer 27

microorganisms found in human blood that can cause infection and disease in humans

Question 28

Hepaptitis

Answer 28

HAV: spread through fecal-oral contamination
HBV: spread through sexual contact, sharing infected needles, from mother to baby during delivery
Survive outside body for at least 7 days
Serious threat to healthcare workers
HCV: transmitted through blood or body fluids
Lead to liver cirrhosis and live cancer
No vaccine and can cause death
HDV and HEV:
Least common