Final Exam - Infection Control Flashcards
Define Epidemiology
the study of the distribution and determinants of diseases in human population
What are the differences between colonized and infected?
Colonized is when a person is host to bacteria but shows no symptoms. These people are still capable of transmitting disease.
Infected means that the host is now displaying symptoms of the disease they were colonized by.
Name and describe the four main pathogens seen in our clinical environment
BACTERIA
prokaryote. contains own DNA and RNA. Thrive in colonies. Use antibiotics to target bacteria. Gram stain is used to determine if one is positive or negative for a certain type.
VIRUS
contains own DNA or RNA but cannot survive outside of host. unaffected by the antibiotics. Can lie dormant for long periods of time before manifesting in body.
FUNGI
Eukeryote. larger than virus in size. thrive in colony setting. they are dimorphic: yeasts or molds
PARASITIC PROTOZOA
very large in size. depend on the host to provide nutrients. (pinworm, tapeworm).
True or False
Malaria is an example of a viral infection
False, it is a parasitic protazoa
What is the difference between direct and indirect contact transmission
Direct contact is when you receive the disease directly from a colonized or infected person.
Indirect contact involves a secondary object that is contaminated from contact with an infection agent resulting in a single infective episode. host ->object ->you
True or False
Direct contact can only occur when the host is infected
False
the host could either be infect or colonized
Droplet transmission can occur when:
- Talking
- Coughing
- Sneezing close to someone’s face
- Deposited to the host’s nasal mucosa, oral mucosa, and or conjunctive of the eye
In the context of vector borne transmission, define vector
Any bug or insect that is capable of transmitting a vector borne disease such as a tick or mosquito
Discuss ways to eliminate transission of pathogens for each of the 5 main transmission types
CONTACT (DIRECT AND INDIRECT)
don’t recap needles and wash hands/sanitize after contact
DROPLET
cover mouth with antecubital space when coughing
COMMON VEHICLE
in a hospital cafeteria, have someone serve the food rather than buffet setting. Use careful packaging
AIRBORNE
ensure patients who are possibly infected wear a face mask to keep it out of air
VECTOR-BORNE
check patients skin for possible vectors when admitted
Discuss the difference between universal precautions and body substance isolation. What is the current practice or recommendation used in our clinical setting?
- Universal precautions is an infection control approach where all human blood and some body fluids are to be treated as if they were known to be infectious. (bio-safety, hand washing, gloving, PPE,)
- Body Substance Isolation concentrates on the isolation of all body fluids for all patients, and non-body fluid transmission of pathogens (airborne).
UP concentrated on all patients but not all fluids, but BSI didn’t include hand washing
NOW: both UP and BSI methods are used when coming in contact with blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, mucous membranes, and non-intact skin. Hand washing is required both before and after any procedure.
Define Aseptic technique
The goals of aseptic technique are to protect the patient from infection and to prevent the spread of pathogens and/or harmful microorganisms. Minimize exposure to pathogens
What methods are considered aseptic techniques?
sterilizing (destroys all microbial life)
disinfecting (reduces level of microbial life forms)
What are the key aspects to any patient transfer?
Teamwork
Communication
Safety
Define a nosocomial infection
A type of infection one receives from being in the hospital setting
Our body has two specific defense mechanisms. Name and describe both of these forms of defense
…
