chapter 6 infection control/ inflammation Flashcards
what is the inflammatory process/ happens during it
series of cellular changes that signal the body’s response to injury or infection
- localized protective response brought on by injury or destruction of tissue
- blood vessels dilate, bringing more blood to area, causing redness, warmth, edema
what is the inflammatory process caused by?
- physical damage
- chemical damage
- infection
- ischemia
- immune response (autoimmune disease)
what is the purpose of the inflammatory process?
- neutralize and destroy harmful agents
- limit their spread to other tissues in the body
- prepare the damaged tissues for repair
s/s of local inflammation
- heat
- edema
- redness
- pain
a/a of systemic inflammation
-fever, chills
- headache, muscle aches
- sweating
- leukocytosis
internal/external treatments of inflammation
internal: anti-inflammatories
external or close to the skin: RICE (Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate)
what is an infection? what can it result in
entry into the body of an infectious agent (a microorganism)
- pathogen: microorganisms capable of causing disease
- some microorganisms produce toxins and others release endotoxins
can result in illness or disease
what is the first line of defense against infection
intact skin is first line of defense against infection
- secretions (lysozymes) from mucous membranes lining respiratory, gastrointestinal, and reproductive tracts
- cilia in the respiratory tract
- gastric secretions
what is the second line of defense
fever: slows the growth of many pathogens until other defenses can mobilized
leukocytosis: leukocytes engulf the invader
phagocytosis: phagocytes remove cellular debris, destroy bacteria and viruses, remove metabolic waste products
- inflammation
interferon: stimulates anit-viral proteins
s/s of localized infections
- redness
- pain
- warmth
- swelling
- pus
s/s of generalized infections
- may not show all signs apparent in localized infections
- pain may be mild to severe depending on its location
- warmth is generally expressed as fever
- malaise
- anorexia
what are health care-associated infections
occur within a health care facility; may affect px as well as health care worker
strains of bacteria in hospitals usually more virulent and often resistant to antibiotics
- some pathogenic bacteria that are no longer susceptible to previously effective antibiotics are found in hospital pxs
what are community-acquired infections
acquired during day to day contact with the public
- childhood illnesses, tb, hiv/aids, food borne illnesses, sexually transmitted diseases
prevention and control of infection interventions
immunization, mandatory education for food handlers, screening, early treatment, quarantine, and personal measures (hand washing, proper hygiene)
what is medical asepsis? what is the most effective method to prevent cross-contamination
limit spread of microorganisms
- hand washing
- soiled hands main transmission of infections
what is surgical asepsis, or sterile technique
eliminates all pathogens from any object that comes into contact with the patient
- includes care techniques that prevent unsterile surfaces from coming into contact with the patient, such as dressing changes
nursing care of patients with infections
- urge the px to consume adequate fluids
- encourage to consume high- protein, high vitamin diet
- isolation, if required
- lab tests, cbc with differential
-erythrocyte sedimentation rate - iron level, hyperbaric o2 therapy
- cultures of urine, blood, wound, sputum, and throat
- admin abx drug therapy
what is standard precaution
infection control guidelines for hospitals and other health care agencies
- this is for all px in hospitals regardless of their isolation status
- use this when you will have contact with px blood, bodily fluids, secretions (except sweat), excretions, broken skin, mucous membranes
- use when you have contact with materials that are soiled or contaminated with bodily fluids or blood
immunocompromised patients considerations
decreased immunity to infection; are at risk for bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and viral infections
- nurses and healthcare workers use PPE to protect the px, rather than themselves from infection
what is airborne precautions
precautions used with diseases that are spread through air
what is droplet precautions
used with infections that are spread by droplets or dust particles containing infectious agent
what is contact precautions
used when caring for patients who are infected by microorganisms that are transmitted by direct (skin-to-skin) or indirect contact with contaminated equipment
- gown and gloves for contact with patient or environment of care
