Infection Flashcards
What are the characteristics of endotoxins?
Endotoxins are complex molecules that attach and colonize host cells. They can induce clotting, bleeding, inflammation, hypotension, and fever.
What are the characteristics of exotoxins?
Proteins released during the growth of a bacterial cell.
Uses enzymes to inactivate or modify host cells, leading to host cell death/dysfunction.
PPE & examples for contact transfer
Gloves
Gown
C-diff, MRSA, infected wound
PPE & examples for droplet transmission
Mask
Influenza (anything else w/ a cough)
PPE & examples for airborne transmission
N95 mask
Negative pressure room
MTV: measles, TB, varicella
What is the technique called that is used for medical asepsis?
Clean technique
Regular gloves
What is the technique called that is used for surgical asepsis? When to use it?
Sterile or Aseptic technique
Sterile gloves
(Use for Foley catheters and surgery)
List the stages of infection
- Incubation (active repl)
- Prodromal (vague symp)
- Acute (most symp, tissue damage)
- Convalescent (less symp, containment of pathogens)
- Resolution (total elimination of pathogens, back to baseline)
Which stage of infection can lead to a chronic infection?
Convalescent period
How do bacteria damage host cells?
By releasing endo or exotoxins.
Secondary infections
Follows an inital infection due to the initial treatment or changes in the body.
Bacterial pneumonia follows flu virus.
Vaginal yeast infection follows antibiotics for an initial infection.
What prevents fungal/yeast infections from taking hold in the body?
Our body’s normal flora contains them.
How are parasitic/protozoa infections transmitted?
By fecal-oral route
Order of infection chain
Pathogen
Resevoir
Portal of exit
Mode of transmission
Portal of entry
Susceptible host
What is colonization of a pathogen?
Establishing a presence. Not infected yet. Can be a carrier
What are the four modes of transmission?
Penetration
Direct contact (STI & mother-baby)
Ingestion
Inhalation
How does transmission through direct contact usually occur?
STIs.
Mother-baby thru the placenta or birth canal (vertical transmission).
Endogenous vs exogenous source of infection
Endo= normal body flora
Exo= outside the body
Signs vs symptoms
Signs - what you see
Symptoms- what the patient tells you
5 Moments of Hand Hygiene
Before & after touching patient.
Before clean/aseptic procedure.
After body fluid risk.
After touching patient surroundings (leaving the room).
What cells preform phagocytosis in the final stage of the cellular immune response?
Neutrophils, macrophages, monocytes
Nosocomial infection
HAI
Donning PPE order
Gown
Mask
Shield/goggles
Gloves
Doffing PPE order
Gloves 🧤
Gown
Shield/goggles
Mask
