Infection Control Flashcards
Causes of surgical/traumatic wound HAIs?
- Improper skin preparation
- failure to cleanse skin properly
- failure to use aseptic technique for dressings
- use of contaminated antiseptics
- improper hand hygiene
Causes of urinary tract HAIs?
- Unsterile catheterization
- inadequate catheter monitoring, tubing obstructions
- improper specimen collection
- urine reflux into bladder
- improper hand hygiene
Causes of respiratory tract HAIs?
- Contaminated respiratory equipment
- failure to use aseptic technique during suctioning
- improper secretion disposal
- improper hand hygiene
Causes of bloodstream HAIs?
- Contaminated IV tubing/needles
- medication additives to IV fluid
- connecting tubes to IV system
- improper IV insertion/care
- failure to change IV site with inflammation
- improper blood product administration
- improper dialysis catheter care
- improper hand hygiene
What is immune senescence?
An age-related decline in immune system function that increases susceptibility to infection and weakens the overall immune response.
How do age-related changes affect response to infection in older adults?
They can result in atypical signs and symptoms of infection.
What factors increase older adults’ exposure to pathogens?
- Chronic diseases
- Hospitalization
- Institutionalization
Risk factors for infections in older patients include
- Poor nutrition
- Unintentional weight loss
- Low serum albumin levels.
What infections have increased risk and mortality in older adults due to age-related immune changes?
Pneumonia and influenza.
Older adults present with altered responses to infections how?
With altered, atypical signs and symptoms such as confusion.
How does susceptibility to infection change with age?
Susceptibility changes throughout the lifespan. Infants have immature defenses, while older adults experience immune senescence increasing susceptibility.
What protects breastfed infants from infection?
Breastfed infants receive antibodies from the mother’s breast milk, providing greater immunity than formula-fed infants.
What infections are children still susceptible to as their immune system matures?
Children remain susceptible to common cold viruses, intestinal infections, and vaccine-preventable diseases like mumps and measles if not vaccinated.
Examples of inadequate primary defenses
- Broken skin or mucosa
- traumatized tissue
- decreased ciliary action
- obstructed urine outflow
- altered peristalsis
- change in pH of secretions
- decreased mobility
Examples of inadequate secondary defenses
Reduced hemoglobin level
- suppressed white blood cells (from medication or disease)
- suppressed inflammatory response (from medication or disease)
- low white blood cell count (leukopenia)
Defenses against infection in young/middle-aged adults
- Normal flora
- body system defenses
- inflammation
- immune response - viruses are the most common infectious cause
Changes in defenses with aging
- Declining immune response (especially cell-mediated immunity)
- alterations in skin/urinary tract/lung structure
- function increasing pathogen invasion risk
How does inadequate protein intake affect infection risk?
- Protein breakdown exceeds synthesis
- reducing defenses and impairing wound healing
Nursing assessment for nutritional risk
- Assess dietary intake
- ability to tolerate solid foods
- swallowing/digestive issues
- confusion/weakness affecting self-feeding
How does stress affect infection risk during the alarm stage?
The basal metabolic rate increases as the body uses energy stores. Adrenocorticotropic hormone raises serum glucose and decreases anti-inflammatory responses through cortisone release.
How does prolonged/intense stress impact infection risk?
Elevated cortisone levels result in decreased resistance to infection. Continued stress leads to exhaustion, depleting energy stores and leaving no resistance to invading organisms.
What conditions increase physiological stress and infection risk?
Conditions that increase nutritional requirements like surgery or trauma also increase physiological stress and infection risk.
How do chronic diseases increase infection risk?
Chronic diseases increase infection risk by impairing the immune system’s defenses against infectious organisms.
What diseases/conditions compromise the immune system’s defenses?
Leukemia, AIDS, lymphoma, aplastic anemia weaken defenses against infectious organisms by impacting white blood cell production.