Infection Control

Question 1

inherent infection

Answer 1

native to host

Question 2

contagious infection

Answer 2

from someone or something else, not native to host

Question 3

localized infection

Answer 3

affects one area

Question 4

systemic infection

Answer 4

affects whole body

Question 5

primary infection

Answer 5

root cause of a health problem, not because of another infection

Question 6

secondary infection

Answer 6

occurs because of another infection, or something else

Question 7

exogenous infection

Answer 7

from organism outside of us - exterior

Question 8

endogenous infection

Answer 8

lives inside of us

Question 9

infection

Answer 9

when a pathogen invades tissues and begins multiplying within a host

Question 10

colonization

Answer 10

presence of mutiplication of microorganisms within a host but without tissue invasion or damage - without infection

Question 11

communicable disease

Answer 11

that which can be transmitted from one individual to another, ex: COVID

Question 12

symptomatic infection

Answer 12

when pathogens multiply and cause signs and symptoms of disease

Question 13

asymptomatic infection

Answer 13

when pathogens multiply but no clinical signs and symptoms are present

Question 14

virulence

Answer 14

ability to produce disease - very virulent = good at causing disease

Question 15

what are the 5 prevention and control techniques

Answer 15

hand hygiene
barrier techniques
antiseptics/disinfectants (antiseptics on skin, disinfectant on inanimate objects)
immunizations/medications
conscientious patient care

Question 16

hand hygiene

Answer 16

single most important action for preventing infection, friction is essential action

Question 17

why is hand hygiene important

Answer 17

the longer the duration of care without hand hygiene, the higher the degree of contamination (colonization) on the healthcare worker’s hands

Question 18

healthcare-associated infections (aka nosocomial)

Answer 18

increased morbidity and mortality of all patients
increased costs to the organization
decreased trust

Question 19

7 natural defense mechanisms against infection

Answer 19

skin
mouth - has cilia to move things along
eyes
respiratory tract - has cilia
urinary tract - excretes things
gastrointestinal (GI) tract
vagina - acidic environment kills things that don’t belong

Question 20

6 infectious agents

Answer 20

viruses
bacteria
fungus
protozoans
helminthes
prions

Question 21

reservoir

Answer 21

any natural setting where growth and reproduction of an infectious agent can occur,
think of this like an environment
-humans
-animals
-food
-water
-insects/arthropods
-inanimate objects (mainly mode of transmission, ex: stethoscope)
-soiled or wet dressings
-hospital equipment, etc.

Question 22

portal of exit

Answer 22

respiratory: sputum, cough, sneeze
G-U: reproductive secretions, urine
G-I: saliva, emesis, blood and feces
venous systems: blood
MM & non-intact skin: draining wounds
eyes/ears

Question 23

respiratory hygiene (cough into elbow, mask, social distancing) is important because

Answer 23

it stops you from becoming a portal of exit or means of transmission

Question 24

means of transmission: direct contact

Answer 24

person to person

Question 25

means of transmission: indirect contact

Answer 25

fomite - object that transmits germs, ex: stethoscope, IV pump, thermometer

Question 26

means of transmission: respiratory

Answer 26

through the air

Question 27

means of transmission: vector

Answer 27

insect transmission

Question 28

indirect contact high touch areas

Answer 28

gowns, bed linens, bedside furniture and other objects in the immediate environment handles IV poles BP machines, pulse ox, stethoscopes accudata machines other inanimate objects

Question 29

bleach wipes

Answer 29

used in cases where C-difficile is suspected or confirmed, to disinfect patient care equipment and environmental surfaces also with cases of loose or incontinent stools require 3 minutes of wet to dry on surfaces to kill pathogens

Question 30

hydrogen peroxide (H-P) wipes

Answer 30

used for most routine equipment and surface disinfection require 1 minute of wet to dry on surfaces to kill pathogens

Question 31

5 portals of entry

Answer 31

GI-GU tract mucous membranes skin integrity disruption respiratory tract eyes

Question 32

susceptible host

Answer 32

immunocomprised aged or the very young trauma/surgery indwelling devices skin, mucous membrane breaks poor oxygenation impaired circulation chronic or acute disease antibiotic resistant (MDRO) poor aseptic measures poor nutrition stress crowded environments poor sanitation travel exposure

Question 33

The nurse has an open abrasion on the skin, representing which 2 elements in the chain of infection?

Answer 33

portal of exit and portal of entry

Question 34

a butterfly needle used to draw blood, not properly disposed of, is which element in the chain of infection?

Answer 34

method of transmission

Question 35

the mouth is which element in the chain of infection? like a patient coughs

Answer 35

portal of exit

Question 36

An IV is inserted without cleaning the skin properly before insertion. The needle is which element in the chain of infection?

Answer 36

method of transmission

Question 37

A stethoscope that isn't cleaned between patients, is which element in the chain of infection?

Answer 37

method of transmission - talking about the object

Question 38

fresh flowers or plants represent which 2 elements in the chain of infection?

Answer 38

reservoir and method of transmission (plants don't go into the skin so no portal of entry)

Question 39

scrubs exposed to a pertussis patient (nurse didn't wear PPE) are which element in the chain of infection?

Answer 39

method of transmission

Question 40

workers eat unwashed fruit directly from the field. The fruit is which element in the chain of infection?

Answer 40

reservoir and method of transmission

Question 41

free standing water is which element in the chain of infection?

Answer 41

reservoir

Question 42

COVID-19 is which element in the chain of infection?

Answer 42

etiological agent

Question 43

head laceration that is open to air, somewhat fresh and doesn't show signs of infection, is which element in the chain of infection?

Answer 43

portal of entry because it is fresh and no signs of infection if the wound was nasty, would be portal of exit