Infection Flashcards
Infection
invasion of the body tissues by microorganisms with the potential to cause illness or disease
Diseases
exist when microorganisms cause a detectable alteration in function
Pathogens
microorganisms that cause diseases
Body’s natural defenses
intact skin and mucus membranes resident bacteria cilia and phagocytes tears high acidity (low pH)
intact skin and mucus membranes
1st line of defense, stops microbes from entering body
resident bacteria
lives on the body, prevents other harmful microbes from growing (microbial antagonism)
cilia and phagocytes
cilia filter and trap microbes and foreign particles in the upper respiratory tract
phagocytes ingest foreign material in alveoli (alveolar macrophages)
tears
flush organisms out of eyes
high acidity (low pH)
low pH deters microbial growth in stomach and vaginal area
Factors increasing susceptibility of infection
age heredity stress nutrition treatments/tests medications preexisting diseases
Age’s effect on susceptibility to infection
very young and very old at higher risk for disease
Heredity’s effect on susceptibility to infection
can play role with genetic predisposition to diseas
Stress’s effect on susceptibility to infection
increases blood cortizone which decreases inflammatory response and hampers the body’s ability to fight infection
Nutrition’s effect on susceptibility to infection
inadequate nutrition can impede the creation of antibodies
Medication’s effect on susceptibility to infection
may decrease production of wbc’s; decrease inflammatory response; destroy normal flora
6 links of the chain of infection
infectious agent reservoir portal of exit from reservoir means of transmission portal of entry susceptible host
Infection stages
incubation period
prodromal stage
acute stage
convalescent stage
Incubation period
pathogen begins replicating but doesn’t cause symptoms; can last hours to years
Prodromal stage
generic symptoms appear
Acute stage
maximum impact, specific symptoms appear, pronounced damage done to body tissues
Convalescent stage
infection contained; pathogen eliminated; tissue damage repaired
Normal white blood cell count
4,000-10,000 cells per microliter
White blood cell count below 4,000
leukeopenia
White blood cell count above 10,000
leukocytosis
White blood cell differential
differentiates proportions of white blood cells
Normal neutrophil levels
50-70%
Normal basophil levels
0.4-1%
Normal eosinophil levels
1-3%
Normal monocyte levels
4-6%
Normal leukocyte levels
25-35%
Common culture smaples
wound
blood
urine
sputum
Serology
detects antibodies to certain organisms in blood
Examples of antimicrobial agents
antibiotics
antivirals
antifungals
PPE examples
gloves
gown
mask
goggles
Standard precautions
wash hands clean nonsterile gloves personal protective equipment respiratory hygiene no recapping needles proper handling of soiled equipment
Airborne precautions
illnesses transmitted by droplets less than 5 microns in size, can travel more than 3 feet in the air gloves gown goggles respirator mask
Droplet precautions
droplets greater than 5 microns, only go out 3 feet, don't float in air. gloves gown goggles surgical mask
Contact precautions
infection easily transmitted from direct contact
gloves
gown
(goggles and mask if needed)
Communicable
an illness that is directly transferable from one individual to another
infectious disease
communicable disease transferable by microbes
Virulence
severity and degree of communicability that a disease can produce
Opportunistic pathonogens
microbes that only become pathogens under the right circumstances
Sepsis
refers to the state of infecton
Colonization
process by which strains of microbes become established flora
Local infection
infection limited to a specific part of the body
Systemic infection
local infections that have spread to multiple parts of the body
Antiseptics
agents that inhibit the growth of certain microbes
Disinfectants
agents that destroy vegetative microbes and leave spores
Healthcare associated infections occur after __ hours in the hospital
48
Most common types of healthcare associated infections
urinary tract infection (#1) surgical site infections pneumonia IV catheters/central lines C. diff associated diarrhea
Iatrogeinc infections
infections caused by invasive procedures
Most common organisms for nosocomial infections
E coli
Enterococcus
Staph aureus
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Ways to decrease risk of nosocomial infections
hand hygiene basic medical asepsis surgical/sterile technique standard precautions isolation techniques
Important things about C diff
shed in feces (diarrhea)
endospores can live on surface for long time
treated with vancomycin
hand washing with soap and hot water necessary
contact precautions
diagnosed by fecal culture
appears in patients with prolonged antibiotic use
Important things about MRSA
treated with vancomycin spread by direct contact patient must be isolated contact precautions if patient has had MRSA in past must always be isolated many carry MRSA without signs of illness diagnosed by culture
Important things about VRE
spread by caregivers hands
diagnosed via culture
treated with antibiotics other than vancomycin
contact isolation
hand hygiene
normally present in intestines and on female genitalia
Important things about tuberculosis
airborne precautions N-95 respirator negative airflow room isolation TST and X-ray diagnosis prompt detection important immunocompromised patients (HIV+)
Important things about ebola
direct contact with bodily fluids diagnosed by blood tests, IgM and ELISA fever, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, headache, hemorrhage PPE disposed of after use no skin exposed isolation inform hospital and CDC droplet precautions
Preventing uti caused by catheter use
Insert catheters only for appropriate indications
Leave catheters in place only as long as needed
Ensure that only properly trained persons insert and maintain catheters
Insert catheters using aseptic technique and sterile equipment (acute care setting)
Follow aseptic insertion, maintain a closed drainage system
Maintain unobstructed urine flow
Comply with CDC hand hygiene recommendations and Standard Precautions
Alternatives to indwelling urinary catheterization
Use of portable ultrasound devices for assessing urine volume to reduce unnecessary catheterizations
Use of antimicrobial/antiseptic-impregnated catheters
Preventing infection of the blood from central lines
Remove unnecessary central lines
Follow proper insertion practices
Facilitate proper insertion practices
Comply with CDC hand hygiene recommendations
Use appropriate agent for skin antisepsis
Choose proper central line insertion sites
Perform adequate hub/access port disinfection
Provide staff education on central line maintenance and insertion
Chlorhexidine bathing
Antimicrobial-impregnated catheters
Chlorhexidine-impregnated dressings
Preventing infections after surgery
Before surgery
Administer antimicrobial prophylaxis in accordance with evidence-based standards and guidelines
Treat remote infections-whenever possible before elective operations
Avoid hair removal at the operative site unless it will interfere with the operation; do not use razors
Use appropriate antiseptic agent and technique for skin preparation
During Surgery
Keep OR doors closed during surgery except as needed for passage of equipment, personnel, and the patient
After Surgery
Maintain immediate postoperative normothermia
Protect primary closure incisions with sterile dressing
Control blood glucose level during the immediate post-operative period (cardiac)
Discontinue antibiotics according to evidence-based standards and guidelines
