Health Exam #2 Study Guide Flashcards
Define Fomite
inanimate object or substance capable of carrying infectious organisms and transferring them from one individual to another.
What is the relationship between fomites and hospital acquired infections?
Fomites are possible routes to pass pathogens between patients, as the infectious organisms could live on: • clothing • bedding • stethoscopes • IV drip tubes • catheters
What are the parts of the chain of infection? (6, in order)
- Infectious Agent
- Reservoir
- Portal of Exit
- Mode of Transmission
- Portal of Entry
- Susceptible Host
Define Infectious Agent
Any microorganism that can cause a disease
ex: bacterium, virus, parasite, helminth (worms)
Define Reservoir
The place where the microorganism resides, thrives, and reproduces
Define Portal of Exit
The place where the organism leaves the reservoir
Define Mode of Transmission
The means by which an organism transfers from one carrier to another, either by:
• direct transmission (direct contact between the infectious host and susceptible host)
or
• indirect transmission (involving an intermediate carrier)
Define Portal of Entry
The opening where an infectious disease enters the host’s body
Define Susceptible Host
The person who is at risk for developing an infection from the disease
How can we interrupt the chain of infection at the INFECTIOUS AGENT stage?
- Preventative treatment to those who may be exposed
- Rapidly identify the pathogen
- Give prompt treatment to those infected
- Good health and hygiene
How can we interrupt the chain of infection at the RESERVOIR stage?
- Good health and hygiene
- Environmental sanitation
- Disinfection/Sterilization
- Hand hygiene
How can we interrupt the chain of infection at the PORTAL OF EXIT stage?
- Hand hygiene
- Control of excretions and secretions
- Proper attire
- Appropriate disposal of trash and waste
How can we interrupt the chain of infection at the MODE OF TRANSMISSION stage?
- Hand hygiene
- Proper food handling
- Isolation procedures
- Airflow control
- Disinfection/Sterilization
How can we interrupt the chain of infection at the PORTAL OF ENTRY stage?
- Hand hygiene
- Wound care
- Catheter care
- Aseptic technique
How can we interrupt the chain of infection at the SUSCEPTIBLE HOST stage?
- Treatment of primary disease
* Recognizing high risk clients
What is herd immunity?
Form of immunity that occurs when the vaccination of a significant portion of a population provides a measure of protection for individuals who haven’t developed immunity. When many people are vaccinated, it’s difficult for a disease to spread because there are so few susceptible people left to infect, which therefore stops the spread of disease in a community.
What is polio?
A highly infectious and incurable viral disease that spreads from person to person and invades the nervous system, often causing paralysis.
Why hasn’t polio been eradicated?
Not everyone is being vaccinated, whether it’s due to personal choice or because of poor governance unreliably vaccinating children.
What disease(s) have been globally eradicated?
only smallpox
What are five ways that HIV can be transmitted?
- Sexual contact with an infected person
- Sharing needles, syringes, or other injection equipment with someone who is infected
- Mother-to-child transmission
- Transmission in healthcare settings
- Transmission via donated blood or blood clotting factors
What are some (3) reasons why it is difficult to eradicate infectious diseases?
- Organisms almost invariably evolve mechanisms of resistance
- Evolution of antimicrobial resistance is enhanced by overuse of antibiotics in animals and inappropriate use in humans
- Many viruses such as influenza virus rapidly develop mutations even in a single brief replication cycle
What are modifiable risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD)?
- Blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels
- Blood pressure
- Diabetes/Pre-Diabetes
- Overweight/Obesity
- Smoking
- Lack of physical exercise
- Diet
- Stress
What are non-modifiable risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD)?
- Age
- Gender
- Family history of CHD
What is the most common cause of disability in the US?
Arthritis, with ~50% of those afflicted having trouble with usual activities
What is the leading cause of kidney failure, lower limb amputations (other than those caused by injury), and new cases of blindness among adults?
Diabetes
Diabetes Mellitus causes…
long term damage, dysfunction, and failure of various organs
What is the number one killer of both men and women in the US?
coronary heart disease (CHD)
What is another major killer/disabler?
chronic lung disease
Define HDL
High Density Lipoprotein
• Helps remove cholesterol from the arteries
• Considered “good” cholesterol
Define LDL
Low Density Lipoprotein
• Carries cholesterol to tissues, including the heart’s arteries
• Raises risk of CHD
Type 1 Diabetes
Occurs when the body’s immune system destroys pancreatic cells that make insulin, which regulates blood glucose.