Infection Control Flashcards
Ways to describe infections
Inherent or contagious
Localized or systemic
Primary or secondary
Exogenous or endogenous
Inherent
Native to the host
Localized
Controlled to one area
Systemic
Gets in blood stream
Primary
Original
Secondary
Built on it
Exogenous
Activated organism
Endogenous
Organism lying dormant in body
Infection
When a pathogen invades tissues and begins multiplying within a host
Colonization
Presence and multiplication of microorganisms within a host but without tissue invasion or damage
Communicable disease
That which can be transmitted from one individual to another
Symptomatic infection
When pathogens multiply and cause signs and symptoms of disease
Asymptomatic infection
When pathogens multiply but no clinical signs and symptoms are present
Virulence
Ability to produce disease (very intense)
Hand hygiene is the most important action for
Preventing infections
Healthcare associated infections
Patient came in with no infection, develops infection in hospital (Nosocomial infection)
Natural defense mechanisms against infection
Skin
Eyes
Mouth
Respiratory Tract
Urinary Tract
Gastrointestinal (GI) Tract
Vagina
Infectious agents (definition)
Microorganisms capable of causing disease or illness
Infectious agents (examples)
Bacteria
Fungi
Parasites
Prions
Viruses
Protozoans
Reservoir (definition)
Place in which infectious agents live, grow, and reproduce
Reservoirs (examples)
People
Food
Water
Hospital equipment
Animals
Soiled/wet dressings
Insects
Portals of exit (definition)
Ways in which infectious agent leaves the reservoir
Portals of exit (examples)
Blood
Secretions
Excretions
Skin
Eyes/ears
Respiratory (cough, sneeze)
Modes of Transmission (definition)
Ways in which the infectious agent is spread from the reservoir to the susceptible host
Modes of transmission (examples)
Direct and indirect contact
Droplets
Airborne
Portals of entry (definition)
Ways in which the infectious agent enters the susceptible host
Portals of entry (examples)
Mucous membrane
Respiratory system
Digestive system
Broken skin
Susceptible host (definition)
Individuals may have traits that affect their susceptibility and severity of disease
Susceptible Host (examples)
Immune deficiency
Diabetes
Burns
Surgery
Age
In cases where C-difficile is suspected or confirmed
Bleach wipes MUST be used
Require 3 mins of wet
Hydrogen peroxide (H-P) wipes may be used for
most routine equipment and surface disinfection
require one minute of wet
The nurse disposes of a butterfly needle and tubing used to draw blood. The butterfly needle, if not properly disposed of, could represent which element in the chain of infection?
Method of transmission
The patient coughs without covering their mouth. The mouth serves as which element in the chain of infection?
Portal of exit
An IV is inserted without cleaning the skin properly before insertion. The needle serves as which element in the chain of infection?
Method of transmission
The nurse does not clean their stethoscope between patients. The stethoscope represents which element in the chain of infection?
Method of transmission
Fresh flowers or plants are brought into the patient room. These flowers/plants represent which element in the chain of infection? (2 correct answers)
Reservoir & method of transmission
The nurse fails to wear appropriate tier 2 PPE for a patient isolated with RSV. The nurses scrubs are exposed to the RSV patient. The scrubs serves as which element in the chain of infection?
Method of transmission
Workers eat unwashed fruit directly from the field. The fruit serves as which element in the chain of infection?
Reservoir
A community health nurse notices containers with free standing water. The water serves as which element in the chain of infection?
Reservoir
A patient is diagnosed with COVID-19 and subsequently is admitted to the hospital. COVID-19 represents which element in the chain of infection?
Etiological agent
A patient has a head laceration that is open to air (not covered with a dressing). The laceration represents which element in the chain of infection? The wound is somewhat fresh and does not show signs of infection.
Portal of entry
