Health Occ, Ch 13 Preventing Infection Flashcards
A small (micro) living plant or animal (organism) that cannot be seen w/o a microscope
microorganisms
Microorganisms that are infections and considered harmful are called ___.
pathogens
Microorganisms that do not usually cause an infection are called _____.
nonpathogens
Microorganism found in human blood that can cause an infection
bloodborne pathogens
Bloodborne pathogens can be found in body fluids such as (4)…
semen, vaginal secretions, draining wounds, mucous membranes (mouth, nose, eyes, lining of mouth and rectum [pink moist tissue])
Classifications of Microorganisms (5)
-bacteria
-protozoa
-fungi
-rickettsiae
-viruses
-microscopic plant life that multiplies rapidly
-One-celled
-Often called “germs”
-Classified by shape and arrangement
-killed by antibiotics
bacteria
round or spherical in shape-caused diseases such as gonorrhea and strep throat
cocci
od-shaped bacteria-many contain flagella (thread-like projections similar to a tail) that allow it to move-cause diseases such as TB (tuberculosis), botulism, and tetanus
bacilli
bacteria that are spiral or corkscrew shaped- cause diseases such as malaria (caused by mosquito) and amebic dysentery (diarrhea so bad it kills)
spirilla
-Some bacteria have the ability to form a hard shell
-This is a defense mechanism when conditions growth are poor
-This makes the bacteria VERY difficult to kill
spores
______ infection caused by a spore (can kill; elder high risk)
Clostridium Difficile (C. Diff)
-Microscopic one-celled ANIMALS
-Often found in decayed materials and contaminated water
-Many contain flagella which allow them to move freely
protozoa
Protozoa cause diseases such as…. (3)
malaria, amebic dysentery, and trichomonas (sexually transmitted)
-Simple plant-like organism
-Lives on dead organic material
-not killed by antibiotics (treated by antifungals)
fungi
What are three common types of fungi?
Mushrooms, yeasts, and molds
What diseases are caused by fungi? (4)
ringworm, athlete’s foot, thrush (in mouth; hairy white tongue & cheeks), and vaginitis
-Parasitic microorganisms that cannot live outside the cells of another living organism
-Transmitted to humans by the bites of these insects
-treated with antibiotics
Rickettsiae
Rickettsiae is commonly found in… (4)
fleas, lice, ticks, and mites
Rickettsiae causes diseases such as _______ (somewhat common)(causes fever & spots)
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
-Smallest microorganisms (can only be seen with an electron microscope)
-Only able to reproduce when in another living cell
-Spread from human to human by blood and body secretions
-Very difficult to kill- not affected by antibiotics
Viruses
Viruses cause diseases such as the… (6)
common cold, flu, chicken pox, measles, mumps, herpes, & polio
Three diseases caused by viruses that are a major concern of healthcare workers are… (3)
- Hepatitis B (kill liver & chronic disease)
- Hepatitis C (kill liver & chronic disease)
- HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
-Microorganisms that are resistant to antibiotics
-Caused by doctors overprescribing antibiotics or not completing the full dose of antibiotics
MDROs (Multidrug Resistant Organisms)
MDROs stand for…
Multidrug Resistant Organisms (including antibiotics)
Almost always spread by direct or indirect contact
MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus)
acquired in healthcare facilities (more serious; treated w/ IV antibiotics)
HA-MRSA (hospital- acquired MRSA)
becoming more common & usually appears as boil or pimple
CA-MRSA (community -associated MRSA)
-Spread by direct or indirect contact
-Difficult to treat
-May need treatment of multiple medications (may have forever)
VRE (Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus)
-Microorganisms that usually live & grow in certain areas
-beneficial in maintaining certain when in natural site
-nonpathogens when in natural site
-If transferred from natural site, becomes pathogen & causes an infection
Normal Flora
Examples of Normal Flora… (2)
-E. coli normally found in intestines
-Staphylococcus found on the skin
A disease state resulting from the invasion and growth of microorganisms in the body (2 types= localized & systematic)
infection
confined to a specific body part
Localized infection
involves the whole body -also called sepsis=infection in the bloodstream
Systemic infection
Signs & Symptoms of Infections… (12)
-fever
-pain/tenderness
-confusion (mainly elderly)
-rash
-chills
-nausea/vomiting
-weakness
-sores on mucous membranes (fever blister)
-discharge/drainage (puss)
-swelling (edema)
-redness
-headache
pathogen that can cause an infection
source
place where pathogens can grow or multiply
may be human, plant, animal, soil, water, or food
reservoir/host
if reservoir/host has no signs/symptoms of infection & can pass the pathogen on to others, they are called ___.
carriers
way for the pathogen to leave the reservoir
portal of exit
Portals of exit/Portals of entry in the human body…
-Gastrointestinal (GI) tract
-Respiratory tract
-Urinary tract
-Reproductive tract
-Breaks in skin
-Blood
method by which pathogens travel to new reservoir
mode of transmission
Mode of transmission methods… (6)
-direct contact (sexual contact, touching)
-food/water
-airborne
-insects
-animals
-indirect contact (wound dressings, eating utensils)
way for the pathogen to enter a new reservoir
portal of entry
whether the pathogen grows or multiplies depend on if the new reservoir is a person at risk for an infection
susceptible host
Ability to resist infection is related to… (7)
-Age (elderly and infants at higher risk)
-Nutritional status
-Stress
-Medications
-Fatigue
-Presence of disease or injury (chronic illnesses)
-General health
If any part of the chain can be eliminated, the spread of disease or infection can be broken
It is imperative that members of the health care team make efforts to ______.
Preventing pathogen transmission is a continuous process
break the chain of infection
-AKA nosocomial infection
-Infection that develops in a person cared for in any setting where health care is given (dr. office, dentist, hospital, etc.)
-Microorganisms responsible are usually present in the health care facility and are transmitted by health care workers to the patient
-Can cause serious and life-threatening infection
Healthcare-Associated Infection(HAI)
Most common sites for nosocomial infections or Healthcare-Associated Infection(HAI) are…. (4)
-urinary system
-wounds
-respiratory system
-bloodstream
-Being free of disease-producing microorganisms
-A major way to break the chain of infection
-Handwashing is the most important method used to practice technique
Asepsis
any object or area that may contain pathogens (infectious microorganism)
Contaminated
____ is the most important method used to practice aseptic technique
Handwashing
“clean technique”- practices used to remove or destroy pathogens and to prevent their spread from one person/place to another- does not kill spores
Medical Asepsis
Examples of chemical disinfectant used on objects/surfaces…
lysol, bleach, ammonia
Examples of Germicides/Antiseptics used on skin/tissue…
alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, iodine/biodine
-“sterile technique”- practices that make equipment and supplies (not people) free of all pathogens and nonpathogens
-Only process that kills spores
-Steam under pressure, gas, radiation, and chemicals can be used to sterilize objects
Surgical Asepsis
An _____ is the most common form of sterilization
autoclave
Guidelines set by _____________ for disease prevention.
-Purpose: To prevent the spread of a communicable, or contagious, disease
-Based on Clean vs. Dirty
CDC (Centers for Disease Control)
areas or objects that are uncontaminated-free of pathogens
clean
objects/areas that are contaminated
dirty
-Practices designed to reduce the risk of spreading pathogens from both known and unknown infections
-Designed to prevent infection from blood, body fluid, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes
-Every body fluid must be considered potential sources of infection
-Used for every patient at all times
Standard Precautions
-Developed for persons with infections that require precautions in addition to standard precautions
-Required for patients with communicable (contagious) diseases
Transmission-Based Precautions
Type of transmission based precautions used is determined by the __ ___ (SOURCE) and on how the ____ _ _____(MODE OF TRANSMISSION)
causative organism; organism is transmitted
Three Types of Transmission-based Precautions…
-Airborne Precautions
-Droplet Precautions
-Contact Precautions
For known or suspected infections involving microorganisms transmitted by airborne droplets= small particles of evaporated droplets containing the microorganisms that can remain suspended in the air
airborne precautions
Examples of diseases used for airborne precautions are… (4)
TB, chicken pox, measles, & COVID
Airborne Precaution Requirements… (4)
-Private room w/ door closed (=no travel)
-Mask worn by caregivers/visitors
-For patients with suspected TB or COVID, N-95 mask must be worn and room air must be filtered
-Patient must wear mask when being transported
For known or suspected infections involving microorganisms transmitted by large droplets generated by coughing, sneezing, and talking
Droplet Precautions
Examples of diseases used for Droplet Precautions include… (5)
meningitis, pneumonia, influenza, mumps, and scarlet fever
Droplet Precaution Requirements include… (3)
-Private room
-Mask must be worn for anyone entering room
-Patient wears mask when out of room
For known or suspected infections involving microorganisms transmitted by direct or indirect contact such as in respiratory, GI, skin, or wound infections
Contact Precautions
Examples of infections that use contact precautions include… (5)
E. coli, C. diff, lice & scabies (bedbugs), and staphylococcus (MRSA)
Contact Precaution Requirements include… (5)
-Private room
-Gloves upon entering room
-Gown
-Remove gloves and gown before leaving room
-All equipment used for patient, such as stethoscope, must be left in the room, and then disinfected when removed from the room
-Also called Protective Isolation or Neutropenic (=WBC’s) Precautions
-NOT one of the transmission based precautions
-Isolation which provides protection to patients who have a decreased immune system
Reverse Isolation
Diseases that use reverse isolation include… (3)
cancer, HIV, or severe burns
Reverse Isolation Requirements include… (3)
-Private room
-Staff wears mask and gloves when in room
-Patient wear mask if out of room
MRSA
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus
VRE
Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus
C. diff
Clostridium difficile
E. coli
Escherichia coli
