Infection Flashcards
What is the infectious process? What is the goal of a patient with an infection?
*A localized infection (wound infection) usually displays symptoms such as pain, tenderness, warmth, and redness at the wound site
*A systemic infection affects the entire body and can become fatal
*Reduce the risks of spreading germs, get the patient well, and send them home.
What is a Hospital Acquired Infection and how is it different than a community acquired infection?
Ex. (CAUTI, MRSA, C. Diff) Infection or pathogens acquired in the hospital after patient was admitted. Community is acquired by the general population. It can be picked up from a procedure or unsterile techniques.
*Hospital doesn’t get reimbursed for the care the patient received if they got the infection in while in the hospital.
What are some reasons people develop a HAI?
*Invasive procedures
*Poor hand washing techniques
*Not using sterile procedures
*Disinfecting and cleaning procedures
*Surgeries
*Compromised immunity (Comorbidities included such as diabetes, hypertension, COPD, etc.)
*Length of stay
Examples of HAIs
*Staph infections- Hand washing
*UTI- Catheters
*Drainage tube system- Improper positioning
*Open drainage system
*Improper specimen technique
*Repeated invasive access
*Improper hygiene
*Surgical or traumatic wounds
*Contaminated equipment
What are some examples of Community Acquired Infections?
*Covid
*Flu
*Colds
*Stomach Virus
*Strep
*Pink Eye
*Impetigo
Why do we see cases of COVID (air-borne), Measles (air-borne), Small pox (air-bone), and etc.
People are not getting vaccinated and they are traveling to other countries.
*Some parents are not getting their children vaccinated.
What does infection mean?
Invasion and multiplication of microorganisms (virus, bacteria, fungal, or spores in body that can lead to a disease or injury.
*Can be something normal in the body but not in the area that it is in (UTI, normal E-Coli in GI tract but if it goes into Urinary tract (not normal)
Normal flora
Permanent residents of the skin & within the body, where they survive and multiply without causing illness.
*The use of broad-spectrum antibiotics can cause a superinfection (when antibiotics eliminate a wide range of normal flora organisms, not just those causing infection)
Name the 4 Classifications of common infections and 1 example of each.
*Bacteria-(Ex. E-Coli)-Causes cellular injury by releasing toxins that are either endotoxins or exotoxins
*Viral Pathogen-(Ex. HIV)-Causes cellular injury by blocking its genetically prescribed protein synthesis processes and using the cell’s metabolic processes for reproduction of the virus.
*Fungus-(Ex. Candidiasis (Yeast))-Belongs to fungi kingdom, it includes yeasts, molds, and mushrooms. They don’t cause diseases and they are contained by normal flora.
*Protozoa/Parasitic Infection-(Ex. Trichinosis)-They are found in dead material like water and soil and spread by fecal-oral wrap by ingesting food or water that is contaminated with spores or cysts.
Name 3 risk factors that increase infection risks in individuals.
Socioeconomic status and the poor-They don’t have the insurance or resources to travel for preventative healthcare screenings or treatments for infection, purchase medicines, buy food and food supplements that may contribute to health maintenance.
*Patients are very young and very old may have a low immune system and can increase the risk of infection
*Patients with a chronic illness have an increase in risk for infections since their immune system is already compromised.
*Crowded living conditions increase the likelihood or spread infections.
*Immobility can increase risk for respiratory infection by not expanding lungs the way they should be causing dehydration and thick lung secretions
*Anything that goes into the urinary tract, backflow, or urinary retention can increase risk for infection
What assessment findings will a patient with an infection present?
Bacterial or viral: Elevated WBC(5,000-10,000 is normal) elevated levels of B & T Lymphocytes , neutrophils, monocytes
Infection in general: fever, malaise, swelling, redness, or drainage in or around a wound, pain, and respiratory congestion
*Testing for infection:
Patient will present with positive culture & sensitivity tests when appropriate. C-Protein , erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
*Radiographic tests can visual certain tissues and aid in a diagnosis of infection
Inflammation
*The cellular response of the body to injury, infection, or irritation is termed inflammation
*Signs of localized inflammation include swelling, redness, heat, pain, or tenderness
*When it becomes systemic it can result in fever, increased WBC counts, malaise, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, lymph node enlargement, and organ failure
a. Exudate may be
b. Serous (clear, like plasma)
c. Sanguineous (contained red blood cells)
d. Purulent (containing WBC’s and bacteria)
What are 2 infection control measures that can be utilized in the hospital and in the community to reduce the spread of infection.
Hand washing, PPE, Disinfecting, vaccines, screening, proper food storage, and patient education
Name 3 different categories of medications to give a patient for an infection and give 1 fact in each category.
*Antibiotics-Bactericidal (killing bacteria) or bacteriostatic (preventing bacterial replication). They can be broad-spectrum or narrow-spectrum. Kills bacteria such as MRSA & C. Diff
*Antivirals-can kill either viruses or suppress their replication. Help reduce the severity of viral infections by limiting viral spread. Such as Tamiflu for Influenza
*Antifungals-Kill fungal organisms such as athlete’s foot, ringworm, yeast infections, can be creams, oral, suppository
Normal Physiological Processes
(the way the body system works)
The process of infection requires six elements: Pathogen, Reservoir, Portal of exit, Mode of transmission, and Portal of entry, and Susceptible host
● B lymphocytes are for the production of antibodies; T lymphocytes directly kill the invading organism
● Exotoxins can create a wide variety of symptoms including fever, diarrhea, tetanus, gangrene, botulism, sepsis, etc
● Age affects the body’s ability to fight infection and may present differently in different ages
What are the variations from (normal physiologic processes)
● Infections vary by severity, location, host response to treatment, and potential for debilitating consequences or sequela
● Infections can present singularly or in combination with other infections
● Infections can be mild and self limiting or can by life threatening
