Infection Flashcards

1
Q

What six elements are involved in the chain of infection?

A

1) causative agent
2) reservoir
3) mode of exit
4) mode of transmission
5) susceptible host
6) mode of entry

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2
Q

Who is at an increased risk for infection?

A
  • diabetics
  • immunocompromised (cancer patients, people with HIV)
  • people on steroids
  • anyone susceptible to the particular pathogen
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3
Q

What are signs and symptoms of infection?

A

4 cardinal signs of inflammation:

1) redness
2) warmth
3) pain
4) swelling

also:

  • fever, chills, sweats
  • swollen lymph nodes
  • fatigue
  • weight loss
  • pus
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4
Q

What are signs and symptoms of a systemic infection?

A
  • increased heart rate,
  • decreased blood pressure and increased respiratory rate (later in a severe infection)
  • increased temperature
  • pallor or flushed
  • altered mentation
  • hyperglycemia
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5
Q

What are two lab tests that could indicate infection OR inflammation?

A
  • increased WBC

- increased C-reactive protein

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6
Q

What lab tests could be done to diagnose infection?

A
  • WBC with differential (will help ID infectious agent)
  • increase in procalcitonin indicative of severe bacterial infection/sepsis
  • culture can ID the bacteria
  • gram stain can narrow down the type of bacteria
  • sensitivity will help us choose appropriate drug
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7
Q

A fever can be beneficial since it enhances the immune response, inhibits microbial growth/replication and enhances phagocytosis. So when would you treat a fever?

A
  • in an infant

- usually if over 38 degrees and patient is uncomfortable

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8
Q

How is infection treated?

A
  • prevent transmission (teach hand hygiene, cough etiquette)
  • control the fever?
  • antibiotics/antivirals
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9
Q

What assessments will the nurse need to do when administering antibiotics?

A
  • assess/monitor signs and symptoms of infection (need to see if treatment works)
  • teach and assess for superinfections
  • assess for allergies
  • assess GI function (often causes diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, anorexia)
  • monitor liver and kidney function
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10
Q

What is empiric therapy?

A
  • treatment that is not based on definitive diagnosis

- ex. giving broad spectrum antibiotics

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11
Q

What is a superinfection?

A
  • infection occurring after/on top of a previous infection, can be due to use of broad spectrum antibiotics (ex. kills natural flora and allows another bacteria to proliferate… yeast infection)
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