Infection Prevention

Question 1

What is a pressure ulcer?

Answer 1

• localised damage to the skin/underlying tissue usually over a bony prominence resulting from sustained pressure

Question 2

What are the 4 stages of a pressure ulcer?

Answer 2

• category 1 non-blanchable erythema (alteration of intact skin of non-blanchable redness)
• category 2 partial thickness (partial thickness loss of dermis)
• category 3 full thickness skin loss (full thickness tissue loss- may see subcutaneous fat)
• category 4 full thickness tissue loss (exposed bone,tendon or muscle)

Question 3

How to prevent pressure ulcer formation?

Answer 3

• patients should change position regularly and be taught how to move themselves
• correct and safe moving and handing techniques should be used
• no lifting of patients inappropriately
• high risk patients shouldn’t sit in a chair for more than 2 hours

Question 4

What’s the importance of pressure redistribution devices?

Answer 4

• facilitates transfer
• spread/alternate the load
• minimise shear/friction
• provide stability for patient
• facilitates independence

Question 5

Types of pressure redistribution devices?

Answer 5

• overlays
• hybrid
• foam
• air fluidised
• constant low pressure

Question 6

What is SSKIN?

Answer 6

• surface
• skin inspection
• keep patients moving
• incontinence (patient should be clean and dry)
• nutrition (right diet and plenty of fluids)

Question 7

What is the chain of infection?

Answer 7

• reservoir (where microorganisms reside/multiply)
• site of exit
• transmission (direct/indirect)
• site of entry
• susceptible host

Question 8

Standard precautions that can break down the chain of infection?

Answer 8

• hand hygiene
• management/safe disposal of clinical waste
• cleaning/decontamination
• management of bodily fluids spillages
• management of laundry
• PPE
• safe use/disposal of sharps

Question 9

What to make sure when wearing PPE?

Answer 9

• don’t wear gloves/aprons when walking around as there’s a risk of bringing more microorganisms to patient
• wear googles/face shield when there’s any risk of splashes/aerosolised blood and bodily fluids

Question 10

Main points to remember about isolation?

Answer 10

• keep doors closed
• don’t enter without appropriate PPE
• display poster on the room door will tell you what you need to do

Question 11

Main points about managing linen?

Answer 11

• white plastic bag for linen
• infected linen in a red solubility water bag then placed in a white outer bag and infected tape
• wear PPE
• don’t over fill bags
• must be bagged at point of use

Question 12

What are the different types of sharps?

Answer 12

• yellow (medicine sharps, blood sharps, medicines)
• orange (blood sharps only, no medicine)
• purple (cytotoxic and cytostatic sharps/medicines)
• anatomical/red (anatomical waste-placentas, tissue)

Question 13

What are the 5 moments of hand hygiene?

Answer 13

• before patient contact
• after patient contact
• before aseptic task
• contact with surroundings
• body fluid exposure

Question 14

When to wash your hands and when to decontaminate?

Answer 14

• wash hands when hands are physically dirty/after use of gloves
• decontaminate at any other time you have had touch contact which has potential to transfer microorganisms