Infection - Concept 2 Flashcards
Meningitis
Any infection or inflammation of the membranes covering the brain or spinal cord
Meningococcus
A bacterium often found in the nasopharynx that may cause septicaemia or meningitis
meingo/o - membranes covering brain and spinal cord
coccus - berry shaped
Pneumonia
Inflammation of the lung
pneum/o - lungs or resperation
ia - state or condition
Rhinitis
Inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose
Staphylococcus Aureus
A species of gram positive bacteria responsible for a number of infections including boils and abscesses
Staphyl/o - grape like clusters of bactera
Streptococci
A gram positive spherical bacteria occurring in chains or pairs.
Toxoplasmosis
A disease caused by the toxoplasma protozoa
Antifen
Any molecule that is capable of stimulating an immune response
Antibody
Special proteins that help the immune system to destroy antigens
Phagocytes
Cells capable of ingesting foreign cells
Phagocytosis
The ingestion and destruction of foreign cells ( bacteria)
Chemotaxis
Process whereby leukocytes ( white blood cells) travel to an area
Diapedesis
Blood cells move from the intravascular compartnement to the interstitial compartment
Name the 3 types of leukocytes
Granulocytes, lymphocytes and monocytes
What is the function of a granulocyte?
- release a range of chemicals important for the immune response
- injesting foreign particules during an imflammatory response removing famaged tissue in prep for new tissue growth
What percentage of leukocytes are granulocytes in a healthy person?
65%
What is the function of a Lymphocyte?
Lymphocytes begin life in the bone marrow and mature in lymphoid organs. They move throughout the lymphatic and blood vessels
What are the 3 branches of lymphocytes?
T lymphocytse
B Lymphocytes
NK cells
In the chain of infection, define the reservoir?
Permanent habitat where an infectious agent can survive but can not necessarily multiply.
Portal of exit
Infectious agents need to exit from the reservoir to invade the the host
Mode of transmission
Contact, cough, spit, airborne, blood, faceas, rector. How the infection is trasmitted.
Portal of entry
Entrance to the body, same as exit. maybe through broken skin
Suscepptible Host
Someone who is susceptible to the infection
- Age
- Immune system
- Health issues
- Hygene
- Nutrition
Name all 6 steps of the chain of infection
Infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, susceptible host.
What are the 4 stages of infection?
Incubation period, Prodromal stage, Illness stage, Convalesce stage
What happens in the incubation period?
The incubation period is the time between where the microorganism enters the host and the first signs and symptoms of infection. The host may be totally unaware of exposure.
What is the name of the chicken pox virus?
Varicella
What happens in the prodromal stage?
Micro-organisms multiply. Host starts to experience non-specific symptoms including muscle aches, fatigue, headaches etc
What happens in the illness stage?
The acute period. Micro-organisms have invaded and caused damage to the tissues. Signs and symptoms are specific to the infection.
What happens in the convalensce stage?
Signs and symptoms start to disappear and health begins to improve, The body repairs itself and regains strength.
What is the difference between a localised and systemic infection?
A localised infection affects just a single organ or body part.
A systemic infection affects the whole body.
What sort of symptoms would you see in a localised infection?
puss swelling redness heat sepsis Pain
What are the 5 moments of hand hygiene?
1, Before patient contact
2, Before a procedure
3, After procedure or body fluid exposure
4, After patient contact
5, After contact with patient surroundings
How does “age” increase the risk of infection?
infants have immature defence mechanisms so they are more susceptible to infection. Defense deteriorates as we age so susceptibility increases
How does “ nutritional status” increase the risk of infection?
Any reduction in dietary intake increases susceptibility of infection. Especially protein which is needed for routine cellular repair and maintenance.
How does “Stress” increase the risk of infection?
Prolonged stress depletes our normal adaption response. Continually Increased levels of cortisonethat occur in prolonged stress increase susceptibility to infection
How does “ Heredity” increase the risk of infection?
If a person has family history of infections/ increased susceptibility to infection they are more likely to contract the infection
How does medications/medical therapy increase the risk of infection
Sometimes medical therapy has the effect of increasing susceptibilty to infection. Chemo + radiation for cancer treatment / patients after transplants
How can a nurse break the chain of infection in the : Infectious agent
Prompt treatment, decontamination, rapid Identification of organism
How can a nurse break the chain of infection in the : Reservoir
Good health and hygiene, environmental cleanliness, disinfection/sterilisation
How can a nurse break the chain of infection in the : Portal of exit
Correct attire, hand hygiene, correct waste disposal, control of excretion ( making sure lids on pee pots on securely)
How can a nurse break the chain of infection in the : Mode of transmission
Hand hygiene, airflow control, disinfection/sterlisation
How can a nurse break the chain of infection in the : Portal of entry
Aseptic technique, Hand hygiene, catheter care
How can a nurse break the chain of infection in the : susceptible host
Treatment of primary disease, recognition of high risk patients
Standard precautions
set of infection control practices used to prevent transmission of diseases
Aseptic technique
Aseptic technique means using practices and procedures to prevent contamination from pathogens. It involves applying the strictest rules to minimize the risk of infection.
Aseptic technique
Aseptic technique means using practices and procedures to prevent contamination from pathogens. It involves applying the strictest rules to minimize the risk of infection.
Opportunistic infection
A serious infection in an immunocompromised person that is caused by micro-organisms that usually have no pathogenic activity
Pathogenicity
Capacity to cause disease
Pandemic
Epidemic spread throughout the world
Epidemic
Disease that spread to a large number of people in a confined geographic area
Toxin
A harmfull, poisonous substance
Pathogen
Infections agent
Virulence
Ability to produce disease
Asepsis
Being free from living pathogenic micro-organisms
Colonisation
The establishment of micro-organisms in a specific environment
Disinfection
Removal of pathogenic micro-organisms
List 4 signs and symptoms you would notice during inflammation and explain why you would notice?
Pain - caused by edema (swelling)
Redness - Blood vessels dialate - pigment comes to the surface
Name the cytokine responsible for fever and the release of prostoglandins
Pyrogens - release prostoglandins
What is “APC’s”? and what do they do?
Antigen Presenting Cells
Present the displayed antigens to the T cells
What is an autoimmune disease?
An autoimmune disease is a group of diseases where body cell antigens stimulate an immunological reaction within the body.
What is an allergen?
Something that can cause an allergic reaction but is not usually pathogenic
List all the different types of organisms
Bacteria
Fungi
Virus
What are the major cells involved in Innate immunity
Phagocytic cells
- neutrophils
- macrophages
Natural Killer cells
