Infection Control and Medical Asepsis (1)

Question 1

What is the main risk for a patient entering a healthcare setting?

Answer 1

Acquiring an infection

Patients are at risk due to procedures involving foreign objects and contact with infectious organisms.

Question 2

What are the protective measures a patient should recognize to prevent infections at home?

Answer 2

Properly preparing and cooking foods, maintaining personal hygiene, ensuring a clean environment

These measures help reduce the risk of infection.

Question 3

What are the body’s normal defenses against infection?

Answer 3

Normal flora, intact skin, mucous membranes, and physiological responses

These defenses work to prevent infection and maintain health.

Question 4

What is normal flora?

Answer 4

Microbial flora that reside on the skin, mouth, and gastrointestinal tract

Normal flora do not cause disease and help maintain health.

Question 5

How does the skin act as a defense mechanism against infection?

Answer 5

Acts as a mechanical barrier to microbes and sheds to remove organisms

Cuts or abrasions can compromise this barrier.

Question 6

What role does saliva play in infection defense?

Answer 6

Washes away particles and microbes

Poor oral hygiene and dehydration can impair this function.

Question 7

What is the primary action of the respiratory tract in infection prevention?

Answer 7

Cilia hairs and mucus blanket trap inhaled microbes

Smoking and cold air can impair this mechanism.

Question 8

What are the classic signs of inflammation?

Answer 8

Redness, localized warmth, swelling, pain, and loss of function

These signs indicate a localized infection.

Question 9

What systemic signs may develop from inflammation?

Answer 9

Fever, leukocytosis, malaise, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, lymph node enlargement

These signs are indicative of a systemic infection.

Question 10

What is the difference between localized and systemic infections?

Answer 10

Localized infections are confined to a specific area, while systemic infections affect the entire body

Systemic infections can lead to more severe symptoms.

Question 11

What are nosocomial infections?

Answer 11

Infections resulting from the delivery of health services in a healthcare facility

These infections often occur in vulnerable patients.

Question 12

What is medical asepsis?

Answer 12

Procedures used to reduce the number of microorganisms and prevent their spread

Examples include hand washing and changing linens.

Question 13

What is surgical asepsis?

Answer 13

Procedures used to eliminate all microorganisms from an area

Sterile techniques are essential in surgical settings.

Question 14

What is disinfection?

Answer 14

The process of destroying all pathogenic organisms except spores

Boiling water is an example of a disinfection method.

Question 15

What are antiseptics?

Answer 15

Solutions that can be safely applied to skin or mucosal surfaces to inhibit bacterial growth

Rubbing alcohol is a commonly used antiseptic.

Question 16

What are some signs of localized infection?

Answer 16

Redness, swelling, drainage, pain, and tenderness

These signs are typically found in wounds or lesions.

Question 17

What is the healthcare worker’s role in infection control?

Answer 17

Preventing onset and spread of infection and promoting treatment measures

This includes minimizing organisms transmitted and strengthening host defenses.

Question 18

What steps are involved in cleansing contaminated objects?

Answer 18

Rinse, wash with soap, use a brush, rinse again, dry

Proper cleansing prepares objects for disinfection or sterilization.

Question 19

What factors may alter the body’s defense mechanisms?

Answer 19

Cuts, abrasions, poor hygiene, smoking, and use of antacids

These factors can increase susceptibility to infections.

Question 20

Fill in the blank: The body’s response to injury is called _______.

Answer 20

[inflammation]

Question 21

True or False: All microorganisms are harmful and cause disease.

Answer 21

False

Many microorganisms are part of normal flora and help maintain health.

Question 22

What is the role of peristalsis in the gastrointestinal tract?

Answer 22

Prevents retention of microbes

Delayed motility can increase the risk of infection.

Question 23

What is the primary purpose of using soap and water when bathing a patient?

Answer 23

To remove organisms residing on the skin

This includes washing away drainage, dried secretions, excess perspiration, and sediment from disinfectants.

Question 24

When should a dressing or bandage be changed?

Answer 24

If it becomes wet or soiled

A dark, moist environment beneath the dressing can breed microorganisms.

Question 25

What should be done to maintain the cleanliness of a patient's bedside unit?

Answer 25

Keep it free of standing water and used bottles of solution ## Footnote Bedside units should be clean, dry, and uncluttered to prevent harboring microorganisms.

Question 26

Why is it important for surgical wounds to drain properly?

Answer 26

To prevent accumulation of serous fluid that can become a reservoir for microorganisms ## Footnote Swelling of wound sites can indicate serious accumulation.

Question 27

What should be monitored for tubes draining a wound?

Answer 27

Ensure it drains freely and remains patent ## Footnote This helps prevent the buildup of microorganisms.

Question 28

What additional reservoirs of infection should be managed?

Answer 28

Suction and drainage bottles, urinary drainage bags ## Footnote These should be emptied and rinsed thoroughly on each shift.

Question 29

What is the risk of raising a drainage system above the level of the site being drained?

Answer 29

Microorganisms can re-enter the bladder via reflux of urine ## Footnote This can happen when a urinary drainage bag is raised above the bladder level.

Question 30

What should a worker do to control organisms exiting the respiratory tract?

Answer 30

Avoid talking directly into a patient’s face and cover mouth/nose when sneezing or coughing ## Footnote Use the sleeve, not hands, to cover when sneezing or coughing.

Question 31

What should a worker wear if suffering from a respiratory infection?

Answer 31

A mask ## Footnote The mask should be changed whenever it gets moist.

Question 32

What is the most important technique in preventing and controlling the transmission of pathogens?

Answer 32

Hand washing ## Footnote Contaminated hands are a prime cause of cross-infection.

Question 33

What should be done after a nurse assists a patient with excessive pulmonary excretions?

Answer 33

Wash hands before interacting with other patients or their food ## Footnote This prevents the transmission of organisms to others.

Question 34

What is crucial for maintaining a patient’s resistance to infection?

Answer 34

Protection of existing body defense mechanisms ## Footnote This includes maintaining skin integrity and supporting specialized defenses.

Question 35

What role do isolation and single rooms play in infection control?

Answer 35

They prevent transmission from patient to patient ## Footnote This is important in healthcare settings.

Question 36

Fill in the blank: The environment beneath a dressing can become a breeding site for __________.

Answer 36

[microorganisms]

Question 37

True or False: It is acceptable to leave bottles of solution open for long periods.

Answer 37

False ## Footnote Open bottles can harbor microorganisms.