INFECTION CONTROL Flashcards
Microorganisms
microscopic organisms
-capable of causing disease are called pathogens or
pathogenic organisms.
Pathogens
(germs)disease causing organism can be
transmitted a few ways depending on type. (contact,
bodily fluids, airborne, feces, touching)
Pathogens have the ability to do 1 of 3 functions
Multiply in large numbers and cause obstruction
Cause tissue damage
Secrete organic substances called exotoxins(fever, nausea,
vomiting and shock)
Pathogens are divided into four basic infectious agents:
Bacteria
Viruses
Fungi
Protozoan parasites
Bacteria
Microscopic, single-celled organisms
Prokaryotes—lack nuclei and membrane-bound organelles
Reside in host as a group or cluster called a colony
Classified as cocci or spheres, bacilli or rods, and spirals
Treated with antibiotic
Viruses
Microscopic, single cells
Cannot live outside a living cell—lack components for own
survival
Carry their own DNA or RNA but never both
Viral particle (virion) attaches to host cell, inserts its own
genetic information, and then redirects host cell to produce
new viruses.
Not affected by antibiotics
Virus examples:
Example: the common cold, warts,
Mono, herpes, chicken pox, hiv, flu,
measles and mumps
CANNOT BE TREATED W/ANTIBIOTICS
Bacteria Examples:
Example: Strep throat, bacterial pneumonia, food poisoning,
MRSA, C diff
Fungi
Eukaryotic (has nucleus and membrane-bound
organelles)
Size much larger than bacteria
Medically important fungi are called dimorphic.
Two forms: yeast and molds
Fungi examples:
example: athlete’s foot, ring worm, nail infections
Parasitic Protozoa
Organisms are neither plant nor animal
Larger than bacteria
Eukaryotic
Classified by their motility
Live on or in other organisms at expense of host
Usually have motile functionality
Can ingest food particles, and some are equipped with
digestive systems
Parasitic Protozoa examples:
Example: malaria, lice
Infections are:
Infections are the attack and growth of a
microorganism causing harm to the body.
Cycle of Infection
Infectious organisms
Reservoir of Infection
Portal of exit
Susceptible host
Portal of entry
Transmission of disease
Reservoir of Infection
Place where pathogens can thrive in sufficient numbers
to pose a threat
-Must have:
Moisture
Nutrients
Suitable temperature
-can also be fomites
Fomites
Reservoirs can also be fomites- inanimate object ie:
gloves, xray table
Portal of Entry (mode of transmission)
route by which microorganisms gain access into
the susceptible host indirect/direct contact.
Portal of Entry (mode of transmission) examples:
Respiratory tract
Urinary tract
GI tract
Open wound or break in skin
Mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, or mouth
Bloodstream
Portal of Exit
route through which blood, body fluids,
excretions, or secretions leave the body
Examples:
GI tract
Open wound
Respiratory tract
Transmission of Disease: Six main routes of transmission:
Direct contact
Fomites
Vectors:Carrier, especially an animal (usually an arthropod) that transfers an infective agent from one host to
another
mosquito, flea
Deer tick carrying lyme disease
Vehicles
Airborne
Droplet contamination
Nosocomial
-also called HAI:
hospital-acquired infection
-infections that people acquire while they
are receiving treatment for another condition while in the
health care setting
-affect 5 to 10 percent of hospitalized patients in the
U.S. per year
Direct contact
(touching) in which the susceptible
host touches or is touched by contaminated hands, secretions,
body fluids, blood, or excretions.
A bite from an infected or infection-carrying animal or insect is
another example of direct contact.
Indirect contact
improperly cleaned medical
equipment is used or if the host touches surfaces or objects in
the environment which have not been sanitized.
Blood-borne Pathogens:
Disease-causing microorganisms that may be
present in human blood.
They are transmitted with exposure to blood or other
potentially infectious material. Ie: needle sticks,
Blood-borne pathogens are considered nosocomial
infections.
two most common blood-borne
- Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
- Human immunodeficiency
virus
(HIV)
Airborne Precautions:
Pathogenic organisms that remain suspended in air
for long periods on aerosol droplets or dust.
N95 fitted mask to be used
-Example: Varicella (chickenpox), rubeola (measles)
and tuberculosis, COVID
Droplet Precautions
:is a result of organisms being
expelled through the respiratory tract when the human or
animal reservoir sneezes, coughs, or laughs or is being
suctioned. The host can only be affected if the secretions
come into direct contact with the mucous membranes of
his eyes, nose, or mouth.
N95 and glasses to be used
**Meningitis/Influenza
Contact Precautions:
when caring for a patient infected
with a pathogen that spreads by direct contact with the patient or by
indirect contact with a contaminated object, such as a patient’s
dressing or bedrails. These patients will be in a room by
themselves.
Gloves,gowns,masks must be used
-Examples are methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, hepatitis
A, impetigo, Ebola,varicella, and varicella zoster.
Asepsis:
means free from
infection/disease-producing organisms.
Asepsis: divided into two categories
- Surgical asepsis: (includes
sterilization of equipment) The process of creating and maintaining an area that is
completely free of pathogens - Medical asepsis: disinfected. reducing pathogenic microorganisms
autoclave.
most effective method of sterilization is
steam under pressure.
Sterilization
Complete removal of microorganisms. Steam under pressure sterilizes equipment in an autoclave.
