Infection Prevention Flashcards by Olivia Bellantoni

Describe the chain of infection

-a source of resevoir for infectious agents
-a susceptible host
- a mode of transmission

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describe the modes of transmission of pathogens

-direct
-indirect
-respiratory

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what is direct contact and examples

-when pathogens are transferred between individuals without an intermediate person or object
ex: broken skin, mucosal contact

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what is indirect contact and example

transmission occurs when pathogens are transferred between individuals via a contaminated intermediate person or object
ex: contaminated instruments or surface

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describe respiratory transmission and example

transmission results in inhalation of droplets or droplet nuclei

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whats the difference between droplets and droplet nuclei

droplets are limited to 3 feet and its sneezing or coughing. droplet nuclei can remain in air indefinitely and travel more than 3 feet

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what is virulence

ability to cause infection and damage

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what are the types of resistance

innate and acquired

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what are innate immune responses

physical (skin)
mechanical (secretions, cilia)
chemical (stomach acid)

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what is acquired immune response

cell-mediated (antibodies)

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what are the various stages of infection and what happens in each stage

-incubation: time between exposure and symptoms
-prodromal: period between appearance of symptoms and full development of illness
-acute or period of illness: symptoms are most severe
- convalescent or decline: symptoms and pathogen number decreases but individual is more susceptible to other infections at this time because of weakened immune system

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what is sanitization give examples

process of physical cleaning to reduce microbes
ex: disinfectant and paper towels on surfaces, ultrasonic

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what is sterilzation

destruction of all microbial forms (including spores)

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what are antiseptics and example

substances that stops or slows the growth of microorganisms, used on living tissue
-ex: alcohol

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what is disinfection

applied to inanimate objects and surfaces, doesnt destroy spores

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what are the 3 levels of disinfectants

high level, intermediate level, low level

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what do high level disinfectants do

kill all pathogens but not all spores, used for heat sensitive critical and semi critical items, dont use on surfaces

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what are intermediate level disinfectants used for

disinfecting dental operatory surfaces, destroys TB, most viruses and fungi, vegetative bacteria but not spores

what are examples of intermediate level disinfectants

cavi wipes and alcohol

what are low level disinfectants used for

floors and walls in dental operatories and general cleaning, kills most vegetative bacteria and some viruses and fungi

what are the different classifications in Spaulding’s classification

-critical items
-semi-critical items
-non-critical items

what are critical items and what do they do

-penetrate soft and hard tissues or the vascular system and confer a high degree of infection
ex: explorers, scalpels, burs, scalers

what do semi critical items do and examples

contact but do not penetrate, non-sharp items that enter the oral cavity
ex: mirror, impression trays

what do non-critical items do and examples

items that dont enter the oral cavity but may be touched
ex: counter tops, keyboard, light handle

what are administrative controls, give example

-policies, procedures and enforcement measures targeted at reducing the risk of occupational exposure to infectious persons ex: postponing non-emergency appointments of patients with COVID

what are engineering controls and give example

- devices that isolate or remove the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens in a workplace ex: instrument cassettes, sharps containers

what are work practice controls and give examples:

-procedures that reduce the likelihodd of exposure to infectious materials by altering the manner in which a task in performed ex: recapping a needle using the one handed scoop technique

what is regulated medical waste

blood or other potentially infectious material in liquid or semi-liquid state, "dripping or squeezable"

how do you handle regulated medical waste

red biohazard bag

what does an ultrasonic cleaner do

uses high frequency sound waves to loosen and remove debris

what are advantages and disadvantages of ultrasonic cleaners

advantages: more effective than hand scrubbing, reduces potential of self injury

what does the autoclave do

steam under pressure

what are the advantages and disadvantages of the autoclave

advantages: most dependable and economical, most common disadvantages: dulls cutting edges and rusts

what does a flash sterilizer use

steam

what are the advantages and disadvantages of dry heat

advantages: doesnt dull cutting edges, wont rust disadvantages: long cycle, handpieces cant tolerate, poor penetration

what does the chemiclave do

steam under pressure with chemical vapor from formaldehyde

what are the advantages and disadvantages of the chemiclave

advantages: shorter cycle, less corrosion of carbon steel instruments disadvantages: chemical vapor is hazardous

how should you do a spore test

put location in different spots each week to make sure theres no cold spots

what should you do if your machine fails its spore test

take machine out of service, review proper loading and running and repeat test. if still fails, have machine inspected

what are the 3 types of latex reactions

-irritant contact dermatitis -allergic contact dermatitis - immediate allergic reaction

what is irritant contact dermatitis and symptoms

-not an allergic reaction -due to repeated exposures -dry, itchy, burning, irritated areas

what is allergic contact dermatitis and symptoms

-delayed reaction hypersensitivty may take 23-48 hours to develop - same symptoms as irritant contact dermatitis just more severe can spread more places in body and last longer

what is an immediate allergic reaction/latex hypersensitivity

- hypersensitivity to natural rubber latex proteins - may include nose with hay fever like symptoms, conjunctivitis, and severe itching - severe reactions: urticaria, bronchospasms, respiratory distress, anaphylaxis