handwashing

Question 1

what is handwashing?

Answer 1

-Handwashing is the rubbing together of all surfaces and crevices of the hands using a soap or chemical and water
-It is the single MOST IMPORTANT infection control practice.

Question 2

The three essential elements of hand washing

Answer 2

Soap
water
Friction

Question 3

COMMON REASONS WHY WE WASH OUR HANDS:

Answer 3

Before, during and after food preparation and eating
After using the bathroom
After blowing your nose, or using tissue to wipe your nose, or is someone is sick
After handling animals and/or animal waste
Whenever your hands are dirty
Before and After contact with each patient

Question 4

WHY SHOULD WE WASH HANDS AS HEALTH-CARE WORKERS:

Answer 4

Because bacterias such as Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella can be transmitted when:
-touching the patient
-Taking a pulse, blood pressure or oral temperature
-Touching an inanimate object in the room
Because ourhands maybe visibly soiled , showing dirt or contaminated with blood or other bodily fluids.

Question 5

PURPOSES:

Answer 5

To reduce the number of microorganisms of the hands
To reduce the risk of transmission of microorganisms to clients
To reduce the risk of cross-contamination among clients
To reduce risk of transmission of infectious organisms to oneself

Question 6

Assessment:

Answer 6

Determine the client’s presence of factors increasing susceptibility to infection and possibility of undiagnosed infection (e.g Hiv)

Determine the client’s use of immunosuppressive medications

Determine the client’s recent diagnostic procedure or treatments that penetrated the skin or body cavity

Determine the client’s current nutritional status

Determine the client’s signs and symptoms indicating the presence of an infections

*Localized signs: swelling, redness, pain or tenderness with palpitations or movement, palpable heat or site, loss of function of affected body part, presence of exudate
*Systemic signs: fever, increased pulse and respiratory rate, lack of energy, anorexia, enlarged lymph nodes

Question 7

Planning:

Answer 7

Determine the location of running water and soap
Uniform should NOT touch the sink
Awareness of presence of microorganism
Remove any jewelry. Wristwatch should be pushed above the wrist.
-Makes skin surfaces accessible for washing.
-Makes it easier to clean your hands, fingers, and forearms.
Assess hands for hangnails, cuts, or breaks in the skin.
-Intact skin acts as a barrier to microorganisms. Breaks in skin integrity are more likely the cause of the development of infection and should receive extra attention during cleaning.

Question 8

Evaluation

Answer 8

There is no traditional evaluation of the effectiveness of the individual nurse’s hand washing practices. But research has repeatedly shown the positive impact of careful hand hygiene on client health associated with prevention of infection.

Question 9

5 common types of faucet controls

Answer 9

Hand-operated handles
Knee levers
Foot pedals
Elbow controls- move these with elbow instead of hand
Infrared control- motion sensor causes water to start and stop flowing automatically

Question 10

Asepsis

Answer 10

Freedom from disease causing microorganisms

Question 11

Sterile

Answer 11

Absence of microorganism/germs

Question 12

Nosocomial Infections

Answer 12

Infections associated with the delivery of healthcare services in healthcare facilities

Question 13

Iatrogenic Infection

Answer 13

Infection from diagnostic or therapeutic procedures