Infection Flashcards
What six elements are involved in the chain of infection?
1) causative agent
2) reservoir
3) mode of exit
4) mode of transmission
5) susceptible host
6) mode of entry
Who is at an increased risk for infection?
- diabetics
- immunocompromised (cancer patients, people with HIV)
- people on steroids
- anyone susceptible to the particular pathogen
What are signs and symptoms of infection?
4 cardinal signs of inflammation:
1) redness
2) warmth
3) pain
4) swelling
also:
- fever, chills, sweats
- swollen lymph nodes
- fatigue
- weight loss
- pus
What are signs and symptoms of a systemic infection?
- increased heart rate,
- decreased blood pressure and increased respiratory rate (later in a severe infection)
- increased temperature
- pallor or flushed
- altered mentation
- hyperglycemia
What are two lab tests that could indicate infection OR inflammation?
- increased WBC
- increased C-reactive protein
What lab tests could be done to diagnose infection?
- 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
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?
- in an infant
- usually if over 38 degrees and patient is uncomfortable
How is infection treated?
- prevent transmission (teach hand hygiene, cough etiquette)
- control the fever?
- antibiotics/antivirals
What assessments will the nurse need to do when administering antibiotics?
- 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
What is empiric therapy?
- treatment that is not based on definitive diagnosis
- ex. giving broad spectrum antibiotics
What is a superinfection?
- 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)