Chapter 5: Infection Prevention & Control Flashcards
infection
when harmful microorganisms invade and multiply within the body
localized infection
infection that is limited to a specific location in the body
systemic infection
infection affecting the entire body
causes fever, chills, mental confusion
healthcare-associated infection (HAI)
infection acquired in a healthcare setting during the delivery of medical care
chain of infection
causative agent
reservoir
portal of exit
mode of transmission
portal of entry
susceptible host
medical asepsis
measures used to reduce and prevent the spread of pathogens
surgical asepsis
makes an object or area completely free of all microorganisms
occupational safety and health administration (OSHA)
agency that makes rules to protect workers from hazards on the job
centers for disease control and prevention (CDC)
agency that issues guidelines to protect and improve the health of individuals and communities
standard precautions
treating blood and other body fluids, nonintact skin, and mucous membranes as if they were infected
transmission-based precautions
precautions used for people who are infected or may be infected with certain infectious disease
hand hygiene
washing hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (ABHs)
steps of donning ppe
washing hands
gown
mask/respirator
goggles/face shield
gloves
steps of doffing ppe
gloves
goggles/face shield
gown
mask
wash hands
airborne precautions
prevents pathogens that are carried by moisture, air currents, and dust
ex. tuberculosis
prevention = wearing respirator
droplet precautions
used for diseases that are spread by droplets in the air
ex. influenza
prevention = wear a face mask
contact precautions
used when a patient may spread infection by direct contact with a person or object
ex. conjunctivitis, rotavirus, C. diff
prevention: wearing gloves and gown and patient isolation and handwashing
epidemic
outbreak that affects a large # of people within a specific geographical area
pandemic
a global outbreak of a disease; affects a large # of people in many countries
endemic
an outbreak that is always present; become more manageable and spreads at an expected level
Bloodborne pathogens
microorganisms found in human blood that can cause infection and disease
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
virus that weakens the immune system so that the body can’t fight infections
hepatitis
inflammation for the liver cause by certain viruses and other factors such as alcohol abuse, some meds, and trauma
Hep B
can survive outside the body for 7 days
causes liver damage, liver cancer, death
transmitted through sexual contact, infected needles, and from mom to baby
Hep C
transmitted through blood and other body fluids
causes cirrhosis and liver cancer
no vaccine
can survive outside of body for 6 weeks
Hep D
transmitted by blood
only found in ppl who have Hep B
Hep E
transmitted via fecal-oral route
Bloodborne pathogens standard
requires healthcare facilities protect employees from bloodborne health hazards
needlestick safety and prevention act
utilizes engineering controls to prevent needlesticks
exposure control plan
required plan to elimination or reduce employee exposure to infectious material
clean
not contaminated with pathogens
dirty
contaminated with pathogens
disinfection
process that destroys most pathogens
sterilization
destroys all microorganisms
methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
spread by physical and indirect contact
symptoms: drainage, fever, chills, skin discoloration
vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE)
spread through direct and indirect contact
symptoms: fever, fatigue, chills, drainage
very hard to treat
carbapenem-resistant enterobacterales (CRE)
Normal part of intestinal flora that can multiply and cause infection
resistant to a very strong antibiotic
50% death rate
clostridioides difficile (C. diff)
not an MDRO but using antibiotics too often increases risk of infection; spore-forming bacterium; found in normal gut flora
elderly at higher risk
alcohol sanitizer is not effective against C. diff
symptoms: frequent, foul- smelling, watering stools; fever, diarrhea, nausea, lack of appetite, abd cramps
