Infection and sepsis (test 1) Flashcards
What are the phases of an acute infection?
Incubation: Time between exposure to the microbe and when symptoms start.
Microbes are replicating but you don’t feel sick yet.
Prodromal: Mild, general symptoms begin (fatigue, low fever). This is when you’re often contagious.
Acute (Illness): Full-blown symptoms of the specific infection appear. Immune system is fully activated.
Decline: Symptoms start to decrease as the immune system fights back successfully.
Convalescence: Recovery period. Body is healing and may still be weak.
What are the common signs & symptoms of an infection?
Local: Redness, swelling, pain, loss of function, puss or discharge in the site of infection.
Systemic: Fever, chills, malaise, tachycardia, body aches.
What are key signs and symptoms of sepsis?
Fever, chills, flushed skin
Tachycardia (high HR), tachypnea (fast breathing)
Confusion or delirium
Decreased urine output
Low blood pressure (late but very dangerous)
Pain, extreme fatigue
What are the benefits of fever during an infection?
Increased Metabolism: Helps immune cells work more efficiently.
Inhibits Pathogen Growth: Higher temperatures hinder pathogen replication. (many bacteria and viruses hate heat)
Enhanced Immune Response: Stimulates immune cells and accelerates defense.
What are the methods of disease transmission?
Direct Contact: Physical interaction with infected person.
Indirect Contact: Transmission via contaminated objects.
Droplet: Large droplets from coughing or sneezing.
Airborne: Small particles spread through the air.
Vector-Borne: Transmission through insects (e.g., mosquitoes).
Vertical: From mother to fetus.
Water & food-borne: Ingesting contaminated water/food (e.g. E. coli)
How do you apply knowledge of disease transmission to choose infection precaution status?
Contact Precautions: MRSA, skin diseases (gloves, gown).
Droplet Precautions: Influenza (mask, goggles).
Airborne Precautions: TB, chickenpox (N95 mask, negitive pressure room).
Complex Precautions: Multiple routes eg all of the above(e.g., varicella).
What is the pathophysiology of sepsis
Starts as infection → bacteria enter bloodstream
Immune system responds, but overreacts (dysregulated response)
Widespread inflammation causes:
Vasodilation → low blood pressure
Capillary leak → edema, low blood volume
Clotting activation → microclots reduce blood flow to organs
Organ dysfunction (especially kidneys, heart, liver)
Can progress to septic shock, where BP is dangerously low despite fluids
What are the nursing care steps for sepsis?
Early Identification: Recognize early signs (fever, tachycardia).
Blood Cultures: Confirm infection source.
Lactate Labs: Assess organ dysfunction severity.
Antibiotics: Administer broad-spectrum drugs.
IV Fluids: Maintain circulation and prevent shock.
Oxygen Therapy: Improve tissue oxygenation.
Monitoring: Vital signs, urine output, mental status.
What is the pathophysiology of a bacterial infection? A:
Infection leads to localized symptoms (e.g., sore throat).
Complications like rheumatic fever if untreated.
What is the pathophysiology of a viral infection like influenza?
What is the sepsis six and why is it important?
Sepsis 6 is the 6 actions must be started within 1 hour to save lives:
Blood cultures – identify the pathogen
Lactate level – shows how much tissue is starved of oxygen
Antibiotics – start broad-spectrum immediately
IV fluids – support BP and organ perfusion
Oxygen – support tissue oxygenation
Measure fluid balance – track urine output to assess kidney function
What type of organism causes Group A Streptococcus infections and how is it transmitted?
Organism: Bacteria
Transmission: Droplet and direct contact with sores
What conditions can Group A Streptococcus cause, and what happens if untreated?
Causes: Strep throat, scarlet fever, cellulitis
If untreated: May lead to rheumatic fever, an autoimmune condition that damages the heart, joints, and skin
How are Group A Streptococcus infections treated and prevented?
Treatment: Antibiotics
Prevention: Good hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, avoid sharing drinks or food
What type of organism causes Influenza and how is it transmitted?
Organism: Virus (Types A, B, and C)
Transmission: Droplets, direct contact (e.g. shaking hands), and indirect contact (e.g. contaminated surfaces)
What is the pathophysiology and symptoms of Influenza?
Infects upper respiratory tract → inflammation
Symptoms: Fever, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, and dry cough
Type A mutates frequently, leading to new seasonal strains
How is Influenza treated and prevented?
Treatment: Antivirals (e.g. oseltamivir), rest, hydration
Prevention: Annual flu vaccine, hand hygiene, and cough etiquette
What organisms cause fungal skin infections like athlete’s foot and ringworm, and how are they transmitted?
Organism: Fungus (e.g. Tinea pedis, Tinea cruris)
Transmission: Direct and indirect contact (e.g. gym floors, shared towels)
What is the pathophysiology and symptoms of fungal skin infections?
Fungi thrive in moist, warm, dark environments
Symptoms: Itching, redness, scaling, cracked or peeling skin
How are fungal skin infections treated and prevented?
Treatment: Antifungal creams like miconazole or clotrimazole
Prevention: Keep skin clean and dry, wear breathable footwear, don’t share towels or shoes
What is candidiasis, what organism causes it, and when does it become a problem?
Organism: Fungus (Candida albicans)
It normally lives in the body but causes infection when the immune system is weakened or after antibiotic use
What are the symptoms and treatment of candidiasis?
Symptoms: White patches in the mouth (thrush), pain when swallowing, redness, loss of taste
Treatment: Antifungals like Nystatin (swish & swallow or swish & spit)
How can candidiasis be prevented?
Maintain good oral hygiene
Use antibiotics only when necessary
Support immune health (e.g., manage diabetes, eat well)
Vertical transmission is a type of:
vector transmission
common vehicle transmission
contact transmission
Contact transmittion
Vertical transmission is disease transmission from mother to baby via the placenta or during labour and birth (and more rarely via breastfeeding)
