Healthcare Flashcards
6 links in the chain of infection
Infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, susceptible host
The process of a common cold in the chain of infection
*Infectious agent: virus( rhinovirus)
*Reservoir: humans
*Portal of exit: exits person through respiratory, coughing, sneezing, talking
*Mode of transmission: direct contact ( shaking hand) or respiratory droplets
*portal of entry: virus enters host through mucous membranes of the nose mouth or eyes
*susceptible host: anyone without immunity to the virus
Correct order of donning and doffing
Donning: hand hygiene, gown, mask, eyewear, gloves
Doffing: gloves, gown, hang hygiene, eye protection, mask, hand hygiene
Define fungi
Single called or threadlike filaments. Not killed by antibiotics, treated with antifungals, eg, mushrooms, yeast, molds
Define Protozoa
Single called animals. Found in decaying matter and contaminated water. Some are pathogenic diseases. Eg malaria
Rickettsia
Non mobile, non spore forming bacteria. Can only reproduce inside living cells. Transmitted by bites of fleas, ticks, mites, lice. Killed by antibiotics. Eg typhus
Define helminths
Multicellular, living parasites, aka parasitic worms or flukes. Transmitted by eating contaminated food,water,bites. Human diseases are tapeworm
State the difference between microbe and pathogen
Microbe: any organism too small to be seen without a microscope
Pathogen: a specific type of microbe that causes diseases, a pathogen includes bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites
All pathogens are microbes. Not all microbes are pathogens
What are the four ways pathogens cause diseases
*Direct physical contact: infected skin or bodily fluids by touching or sexual activity (chicken pox)
*Indirect contact through air: through droplets in the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes (COVID-19)
*indirevt contact by objects: inanimate objects called formites such as door handles or counter tops. (Common cold)
*disease vectors: living organisms such as mosquitos that can carry them to other living organisms (malaria)
State the difference between bacteria and a virus
Bacteria: single celled living microbes, eg salmonella,strep throat, ecoli
Virus: tiny non living particle, eg influenza, measles, COVID
Virus can not be killed with antibiotics, bacteria can be killed with antibiotics
Define outbreak
Sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease above the expected level in a limited school of town
Define endemic
A constant presence of a disease in a population within a certain area with low spreading, eg influenza in a country
Define epidemic
A sudden increase in the number of cases in a wider area, such as a state or region
Define pandemic
An epidemic thay has spread over several countries or continents thay affects much more ppl
State the difference between an infection and a disease
Infection: occurs when a pathogen successfully enters the hosts body and begins to multiply
Disease: occurs when hosts cells are damaged as a result of infection creating symptoms
The 5 main types of infection
Pathogenic, opportunistic, exogenous, endogenous, hai (hospital acquired infection)
State the difference between communicable and contagious
Communicable: they are caused by an infectious agent that is capable of being spread from one person to another by direct or indirect ( vector) mechanisms
Contagious: easilt spread from one person to another, the degree of contagiousness depends on how the pathogen was transmitted
State the difference between signs and symptoms
Signs: conditions of a disease that are objective and can be directly measured by a clinician. Eg body temp, blood pressure
Symptoms: conditions of a disease that are subjective and cannot be directly measured. Eg nausea, pain, loss of appetite
5 stages of infection
Incubation period
Prodromal period
Period of illness
Period of decline
Period of convalescence
What are the 5 routine practices for IPAC procedures
Risk assessment
Hand hygiene
PPE
controls of the environment
Administrative procedures
What PPE is required for droplet precautions
Mask (within 6 feet)
Eye protection(within 6 feet)
What PPE is required for contact precautions
Gloves- upon entering the room
Gown- with direct patient care
What PPE is required for airborne precautions
N95 respirator mask- fit tested
At what state should hand hygiene be performed when donning doffing PPE
Donning- first step
Doffing- after gown, after everything
