FUNDAMENTAL OF NURSING ASEPSIS (RLE EXAM) Flashcards
is the absence of microorganisms. It refers to the absence of septic matter, the freedom from infection or infectious matter, and also includes general cleanliness.
Asepsis
Practices to reduce the number, growth, and spread of microorganisms
The most common cause of nosocomial infections is contaminated hands of health care providers.
Wash hands before and after every client contact.
Medical Asepsis (Clean Technique)
Practices that eliminate all microorganisms and spores from an object or area
Surgical Asepsis (Sterile Technique)
a. Destroys organism after they leave the body
b. It protects the giver of care
c. It is used in caring for patients with infectious diseases.
It aims to prevent the patient from becoming reinfected and the infection from spreading to other person
d. It prevents the spread of infection by means of:
- Isolating the objects in the patient’s environment from contamination
- Disinfecting objects as soon as possible after contamination
Medical asepsis
a. Destroys organism before they enter the body
b. It protects the patient
c. It is used in caring for open wounds in surgical procedures
d. It includes the complete sterilization of all instruments, linen or other object that may come in contact with the surgical wound
Surgical asepsis
Is a state caused by the entry and multiplication of pathogenic microorganism within the body.
Infection
are microscopic organism, maybe rod shape, round or spiral. It is the most common cause of infections. Ex. Escherichia coli
Bacteria
are microorganisms consisting primarily of nucleic acid (protein) and therefore must enter living cells in order to reproduce.
Viruses
obtains food by absorbing dissolved organic matter/decaying organic matter and parasite organisms that has no chlorophyll. Ex. Yeast and molds, candida albicans
FUNGI/FUNGUS
are organism that live in/on other organism. It includes protozoa like plasmodium which causes malaria, helminthes (worms) and arthopods (mites, ticks and fleas).
PARASITES
refers to transmission by direct contact with body discharges such as urine, feces, mucus or with drainage from an open sore, ulcer, or wound, or by droplet spread (sneezing, coughing, spitting, talking), placental transmission or via blood transfusion.
DIRECT TRANSMISSION
refers to vector, vehicle or airborne transmission such as inanimate objects as bed linen, bedpans, drinking glasses, cooking utensils, etc.
. INDIRECT TRANSMISSION
are rats, mosquitoes, flies or other insects capable of harboring and spreading the infectious agents.
Vectors
– any substance that serves as an intermediate means to transport and introduce an infectious agent into a susceptible of disease host through a suitable portal of entry.
Vehicle
(droplet or dust) transmission of disease by droplets of saliva or mucus is called “DROPLET INFECTION”.
AIRBORNE TRANSMISSION
classified as infection that are associated with the delivery of health care services in a health care facility.
Nosocomial Infection
are the direct result of diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Ex. IV line which may result to bacteremia
Iatrogenic infections
a condition wherein there is a detectable alteration in normal tissue function.
DISEASE
are microorganisms normally found in certain parts of the body.
RESIDENT FLORA
are infections that produces no clinical evidence of disease.
ASYMPTOMATIC or SUBCLINICAL
the ability of the microorganism to produce diseases. (maybe rapid, severe, malignant, strong)
VIRULENCE
is the ability to produce disease
PATHOGENICITY
is a condition when an infectious agent can be transmitted to an individual by direct or indirect contact through a vector or vehicle, or as an airborne infection.
COMMUNICABLE DISEASE
– are infectious agents/ microorganisms that cause diseases only in susceptible (at risk) individual.
OPPORTUNISTIC PATHOGEN
is a state of infection. A toxic condition resulting from the spread of bacteria or their products from a focus of infection.
SEPSIS
when microorganism is present in the blood. When it becomes systemic, it leads to septicemia.
BACTEREMIA
the process by which strains of microorganism become resident flora. Microorganism may grow and multiply but will not cause disease.
COLONIZATION
Agents that produce infections can consist of bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and rickettsia
Infectious Agents (Microorganisms)
Required for the microorganism to survive while awaiting a host.
May allow the organism to multiply, making it more dangerous.
Source or Reservoir
Pathway by which pathogens leave the body of a host
Portal of Exit
pathway by which infectious agents gain access to the body
Portal of Entry
a person with a reduced immune response has increased susceptibility.The immune response is the body’s natural defense against infection.
Susceptible Host
– refers to measures designed to prevent the spread of infections or potentially infectious microorganisms to health personnel, clients and visitors.
Isolation
Aims at preventing the transmission of highly communicable diseases spread by contact and airborne routes.
It necessitates the use of private room with a closed door
All those who enter this room must wear a gown, cap, mask, gloves and a special set of shoes or slippers.
The disposal of waste and discarding of the soiled linen utilized the double bag technique
Hand must be washed thoroughly
Diseases that require this type of isolation:
Rabies, small pox diphtheria staphylococcal or streptococcal pneumonia.
Strict Isolation
Prevent transmission of microorganisms released into the environment by coughing, sneezing or breathing or those harbored in freshly contaminated articles ( such as paper napkins)
A private room is necessary. The door of the room must be kept closed to prevent the spread of microorganism through the air.
Gloves and gown are necessary the nurse should wear mask at all times.
The health worker should have strong resistance; otherwise she will get infected.
Use double bag technique to dispose the secretions.
Respiratory Isolation
Aims at preventing contact between potentially pathogenic organisms and an uninfected person who has seriously impaired body resistance.
Private room is necessary and door must be kept closed.
A gown, a mask, gloves. Headgear and changes of shoes or slippers are musts because the objective here is to protect the patient from contamination.
All equipment, supplies or other needed articles to be used by the patient must be disinfected or sterile.
PROTECTIVE OR REVERSE ISOLATION
Helps prevents the transmission of organisms through direct or indirect contact with infected excreta or feces.
An adult patient need not be placed in private room because he knows how to manage the excretions of the body properly. Child – needs a private room
The nurse must wear gloves, a gown and special set of shoes as precautionary measure. Mask are not necessary because the pathogens are found mostly in fecal matter and the portal of entry into a host is oral.
ENTERIC PRECAUTION
Prevents the transmission of organisms by contact with wounds and heavily contaminated articles.
A gown, mask and head gear must be worn during the cleansing of the skin and dressing of the wound.
WOUND AND SKIN PRECAUTIONS
Are employed to prevent transmission of organisms by contact with wounds, secretions, excretions and heavily contaminated articles when there is possibility of cross infection.
Gloves must be worn, especially if there is direct contact with wound or soiled dressings.
Double bag technique is recommended for discarding soiled dressings and linen
. DISCHARGE PRECAUTION
Prevents the transmission of organisms by contact with blood or items that are contaminated with blood
The specific measures to be taken are focused on the care of personnel not to pick or break their own skin with needles contaminated with blood from a patient.
BLOOD PRECAUTIONS
Prevents any hair from falling on thing the nurse is handling and also protects the nurse’s hair from contamination
This shall be worn to fully cover the hair at all times while inside the isolation room
Head Cap
Are worn to filter any organisms from inspired and expired air.
Use to cover mouth and nose
Mask
Worn to protect the eyes from possible splash of blood or secretions during nursing procedures.
Goggles
worn to protect the uniform from being contaminated
Gown
Worn to protect the hands while handling or taking care of patients.
Gloves
Shoes carry microorganisms from one place to another
Shoes or slippers
Should be worn to protect your shoes while inside the isolation room
Microorganisms settle on the floor
Shoe cover
