Infection Control and Safety Flashcards
What is the transmission of a pathogen to occur in order?
- Infectious agent
- reservoir/source
- portal of exit
- mode of transportation
- portal of entry
- susceptible host
What are common signs of infectious diseases?
fever, swollen lymph nodes, tacycardia, septicemia, chest sounds, skin eruptions, leukopenia
What are common symptoms of infectious diseases?
Chills, pains and aching, nausea, fatigue/malaise, headache, sore throat, chest tightness
What does direct transmission entail
when there is contact with an infected person or body fluid that is carrying the pathogen
What are the universal precautions?
Precautions that apply when it is possible that one might come into contact with human blood, tissue, body fluids or secretions, regardless of the patients’ infection status.
What are standard precautions?
Minimum infection prevention practices that apply to all patient care, regardless of known infection status.
What are some examples of standard precautions?
Wash hands before every procedure, use gloves when encountering blood/body fluids, cover scratches/breaks in skin, dispose of all biohazard waste, clean spills, refrain from eating/drinking foods
What is Category I
Tasks that have a chance of body fluids or blood spilling or splashing, or tasks that can cause exposure to blood or body fluids such as a minor surgical procedure
What is Category II
Tasks that do not usually involve chance of exposure, such as CPR; precautions must still be taken
What is Category III
Tasks that do not require any PPE, such as taking a patient’s vital signs
What is the recommended guideline for a medical assistant’s return to work after experiencing a fever?
Stay home and return only after being fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medications.
How are contact precautions implemented to prevent disease transmission?
By using gloves and gowns, handwashing before and after patient contact, and disinfecting the exam room to prevent direct and indirect touching transmission.
What steps are taken during droplet precautions to protect against respiratory secretion transmission?
Quickly placing the patient in an exam room, having them wear a mask, and using PPE like masks and gloves to prevent transmission from coughs or sneezes.
What measures are necessary during airborne precautions to prevent the spread of infectious agents in the air?
Routing the patient separately, placing them in an isolation room, having them wear a mask, and using PPE like masks, gloves, and gowns to prevent inhalation of airborne pathogens.
What are the steps of removing contaminated gloves?
- Grasp palm of glove of non dominant hand with dominant hand
- Pull glove off the non dominant hand
- Roll the glove up into the dominant hand
- Place two fingers of the ungloved hand under the cuff of the other glove, making sure not to touch the outside of the glove
- Pull the glove over the hand, turning it inside out over the other glove
- Throw away the gloves in appropriate container
- Wash hands
When should surgical asepsis be used?
invasive procedures, wound care, endoscopies, and insertion of urinary catheters
What is the minimum amount of time that hands should be rubbed together?
At least 15 seconds
Which is the minimum alcohol content in an alcohol-based sanitizer that can be used in a healthcare setting?
60%
Why is a 1:10 bleach solution often preferred over glutaraldehyde for disinfection in clinical settings?
A 1:10 bleach solution is a cheaper and effective alternative to glutaraldehyde, which requires long submersion times and can be costly.
What types of microorganisms does low-level disinfection kill, and where is it typically used?
Kills most vegetative bacteria, some viruses, and fungi. Used on exam tables and countertops, often with hydrogen peroxide.
What level of microorganisms does intermediate-level disinfection kill, and where is it typically used?
Kills vegetative bacteria, most viruses, and fungi, but not spores. Used on stethoscopes, percussion hammers, and blood pressure cuffs, often with isopropyl alcohol.
What level of microorganisms does high-level disinfection kill, and where is it typically used?
Kills all microorganisms except a small number of bacterial spores. Used on instruments that contact mucous membranes, like endoscopes, often with Cidex OPA.
What should be included in Safety data Sheets (SDSs)
- identification
- hazard identification
- composition/ingredients
- first-aid measures
- fire-fighting measures
- accidental release measures
- handling and storage
- stability and reactivity
- toxicological information
- other non mandatory content
How long do items stay generally sterile (if packaging stays intact and kept dry/)
30 days
What is the recommended temperature an autoclave must reach / how long do the instruments have to be in for to be considered sterile
between 250° and 270° F.
(unwrapped) 20 minutes
(wrapped) 30 minutes
How is chemical sterilization performed for heat-sensitive instruments like endoscopes, and what are its limitations?
Instruments are submerged for 8 hours in a chemical bath with a closed lid, then rinsed thoroughly. Items are sterile only while submerged, not after removal, and cannot be wrapped for later use.
What are 2 things that need to be completed prior to sterilization?
Sanitization and disinfection
What type of waste goes into a biohazard waste bag?
Items contaminated with blood/bodily fluids, such as gloves, gauze, and dressings.
What type of waste goes into a biohazard waste box?
Items contaminated with blood/bodily fluids, such as table covers and disposable gowns.
What type of waste goes into a biohazard sharps container?
Needles, lancets, and other sharp objects.
In what medical office tasks is the use of gloves mandatory?
When encountering blood, body fluids, or OPIM; handling contaminated materials; performing injections or venipuncture; assisting with surgical procedures; handling specimens; and cleaning up body fluids or blood.
What are the key steps to follow after a potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens in a medical setting?
- Wash/flush the exposed area.
- Report to supervisor immediately. 3. Receive medical evaluation (confidential, documented for 30+ years).
- Complete incident form.
- Consider hepatitis B vaccination.
- Receive written opinion within 15 days.
- Receive health counseling.
What is a common symptom of contracting an infectious disease?
Fever, headache, cough, runny nose, malaise/feeling tired
What is a common example of a viral pathogen?
Rhinovirus (common cold)
Varicella (chicken pox)
HIV/AIDS
Hepatitis
Coronavirus
What is a common example of a bacterial pathogen?
E. coli (urinary tract infections)
Vibrio cholerae (cholera)
Bordetella pertussis (whooping cough)
What is a common example of a fungal pathogen?
Histoplasmosis (lung infection passed on by certain bird/bat droppings)
Tinea pedis (athlete’s foot)
Candida albicans (yeast infection)
What is a common example of a parasitic pathogen?
Toxoplasmosis
Pinworm
Tapeworm
Scabies
Lice
Lyme disease
