INFECTION CONTROL

Question 1

Microorganisms

Answer 1

microscopic organisms

-capable of causing disease are called pathogens or
pathogenic organisms.

Question 2

Pathogens

Answer 2

(germs)disease causing organism can be
transmitted a few ways depending on type. (contact,
bodily fluids, airborne, feces, touching)

Question 3

Pathogens have the ability to do 1 of 3 functions

Answer 3

Multiply in large numbers and cause obstruction

Cause tissue damage

Secrete organic substances called exotoxins(fever, nausea,
vomiting and shock)

Question 4

Pathogens are divided into four basic infectious agents:

Answer 4

Bacteria

Viruses

Fungi

Protozoan parasites

Question 5

Bacteria

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Viruses

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Virus examples:

Answer 7

Example: the common cold, warts,

Mono, herpes, chicken pox, hiv, flu,

measles and mumps

CANNOT BE TREATED W/ANTIBIOTICS

Question 8

Bacteria Examples:

Answer 8

Example: Strep throat, bacterial pneumonia, food poisoning,
MRSA, C diff

Question 9

Fungi

Answer 9

Eukaryotic (has nucleus and membrane-bound
organelles)

Size much larger than bacteria

Medically important fungi are called dimorphic.

Two forms: yeast and molds

Question 10

Fungi examples:

Answer 10

example: athlete’s foot, ring worm, nail infections

Question 11

Parasitic Protozoa

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Parasitic Protozoa examples:

Answer 12

Example: malaria, lice

Question 13

Infections are:

Answer 13

Infections are the attack and growth of a
microorganism causing harm to the body.

Question 14

Cycle of Infection

Answer 14

Infectious organisms

Reservoir of Infection

Portal of exit

Susceptible host

Portal of entry

Transmission of disease

Question 15

Reservoir of Infection

Answer 15

Place where pathogens can thrive in sufficient numbers
to pose a threat

-Must have:

Moisture

Nutrients

Suitable temperature
-can also be fomites

Question 16

Fomites

Answer 16

Reservoirs can also be fomites- inanimate object ie:
gloves, xray table

Question 17

Portal of Entry (mode of transmission)

Answer 17

route by which microorganisms gain access into
the susceptible host indirect/direct contact.

Question 18

Portal of Entry (mode of transmission) examples:

Answer 18

Respiratory tract

Urinary tract

GI tract

Open wound or break in skin

Mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, or mouth

Bloodstream

Question 19

Portal of Exit

Answer 19

route through which blood, body fluids,
excretions, or secretions leave the body

Examples:

GI tract

Open wound

Respiratory tract

Question 20

Transmission of Disease: Six main routes of transmission:

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Nosocomial

Answer 21

-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

Question 22

Direct contact

Answer 22

(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.

Question 23

Indirect contact

Answer 23

improperly cleaned medical
equipment is used or if the host touches surfaces or objects in
the environment which have not been sanitized.

Question 24

Blood-borne Pathogens:

Answer 24

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.

Question 25

two most common blood-borne

Answer 25

1. Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
2. Human immunodeficiency
   virus
   (HIV)

Question 26

Airborne Precautions:

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Droplet Precautions

Answer 27

: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

Question 28

Contact Precautions:

Answer 28

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.

Question 29

Asepsis:

Answer 29

means free from
infection/disease-producing organisms.

Question 30

Asepsis: divided into two categories

Answer 30

1. Surgical asepsis: (includes
   sterilization of equipment) The process of creating and maintaining an area that is
   completely free of pathogens
2. Medical asepsis: disinfected. reducing pathogenic microorganisms

Question 31

autoclave.

Answer 31

most effective method of sterilization is
steam under pressure.

Question 32

Sterilization

Answer 32

Complete removal of microorganisms. Steam under pressure sterilizes equipment in an autoclave.