Foundations: Asepsis & Infection Control Flashcards
Explain the Infection Cycle
(IA , R, POEX , MOT , POE , SH)
Infectious agent , reservoir , portal of exit , means of transmission , portals of entry , and susceptible host
(stage of infection)Incubation period:
organisms growing and multiplying
(stage of infection)Prodromal Stage:
person is most infectious, vague and nonspecific signs of disease
(stage of infection)Full/acute stage of illness
presence of specific signs and symptoms of disease
(stage of infection)Convalescent period
recovery from the infection
Identify patients at risk for developing an infection
Intact skin and mucous membrane
pH levels of the skin
GI and GU tracts
age
assigned sex at birth
hereditary factors
Describe nursing interventions used to break the chain of infection/Medical Asepsis (clean technique to reduce number of pathogens)
Hand hygiene
Wearing gloves when appropriate
Identify situations in which hand hygiene is indicated
before touching a patient
before a clean/aseptic procedure
hand is visibly soiled
after touching a patient
after touching patient surroundings
Describe nursing interventions used to break the chain of infection/Surgical Asepsis/Sterile (To keep an area free of microorganisms)
All sterile objects should be held above waist level
Avoid reaching over a sterile field
Identify multi-drug resistant organisms that are prevalent in hospitalized patients and community settings
Vancomycin intermediate-resistant S. aureus (VIRSA)
Vancomycin- resistant S. aureus (VRSA),
Vancomycin resistant Enterococci (VRE)
Describe strategies for implementing CDC guidelines for standard based precautions when caring for patients.
Respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette
Safe injection practices
Masking with high-risk prolonged procedures involving spinal canal punctures.
Describe strategies for implementing CDC guidelines for transmission-based precautions when caring for patients.
Don PPE when entering the room of a patient on isolation precautions
Remove only when leaving the room before leaving the room
Recommended techniques for surgical asepsis.
Only sterile objects can touch other sterile objects.
Always open with first flap going away from you, to prevent contaminating the sterile wrapper.
A wet field isn’t sterile; outer
1” edge of a sterile field is contaminated
Implement recommended techniques medical asepsis.
Wash hands before preparing or eating food
Keep food refrigerated
Wash raw fruits and vegetables
Wash hands after using bathroom
