Infection Prevention

Question 1

what is a pathogen?

Answer 1

something that causes disease

Question 2

give 2 reasons why bacteria can be dangerous

Answer 2

1) can reach harmful levels very fast

2) can multiply quickly at body temperature

Question 3

what is a host?

Answer 3

an animal or plant on or in which a parasite or organism lives

Question 4

which pathogenic organism lives on hosts that can be alive or dead?

Answer 4

fungi

Question 5

what hosts do parasites live on or in?

Answer 5

animals or plants

Question 6

how does the spread of infectious diseases take place?

Answer 6

through the ‘chain of infection’

Question 7

what is the first link in the chain and what does it do?

Answer 7

causative agent - harmful germ or pathogen that can cause infection, illness and disease

Question 8

name 2 causative agents

Answer 8

1) bacteria

2) virus

Question 9

what is the second link in the chain and what does it do?

Answer 9

reservoir of the source - where pathogens live and multiply

Question 10

give 5 potential reservoirs of the source

Answer 10

1) person
2) animal (host)
3) soil
4) food
5) water

Question 11

what is third link in the chain and what does it do?

Answer 11

means of exit - how pathogens leave the source

Question 12

give 1 example of how pathogens can leave the source

Answer 12

pathogens that live in the respiratory tract (i.e. lungs or throat) can leave the body through the mouth or nose in saliva or mucus when coughing or sneezing

Question 13

what is the fourth link in the chain and what does it do?

Answer 13

mode of transmission - how the pathogen is passed on from one person to another

Question 14

give 3 ways pathogens can be passed on from one person to another

Answer 14

1) direct contact e.g. touching someone
2) indirect contact e.g. via objects
3) inhaled or breathed in

Question 15

what is the fifth link in the chain and what does it do?

Answer 15

portal of entry - how the pathogen enters the body of the potential host

Question 16

give 4 ways pathogens can enter the body

Answer 16

1) ingestion - eaten
2) inhalation - inhaled or breathed in
3) injection - when needles are inserted
4) absorption - coming into contact with broken skin, eyes, nose or mouth

Question 17

what is the sixth and final link in the chain and what does it do?

Answer 17

person at risk - the individual the pathogen moves to

Question 18

what is contamination?

Answer 18

something that is dirty, infected, polluted or has ‘gone off’

Question 19

what removes most microorganisms on the skin?

Answer 19

daily washing, showering or bathing

Question 20

why should work clothing/uniform be washed on a hot wash and then tumble-dried or ironed?

Answer 20

to remove any bacteria present

Question 21

why should jewellery not be worn when washing hands?

Answer 21

makes the process less effective

Question 22

give 2 ways hands can be cleaned or decontaminated

Answer 22

1) alcohol hand rubs and gels

2) washing with soap and water

Question 23

give 1 negative of using alcohol hand rubs and gels

Answer 23

visible dirt on hands makes alcohol hands rubs and gels less effective at preventing viruses which can cause diarrhea and vomiting

Question 24

give 1 negative of washing hands with soap and water

Answer 24

only removes dirt and germs, doesn’t kill them

Question 25

what are the five steps of hand washing in health and social care?

Answer 25

wet, soap, wash, rinse, dry

Question 26

who is responsible for providing personal protective equipment in the workplace?

Answer 26

manager or employer

Question 27

give 3 items of personal protective equipment which should be worn to prevent the spread of infection

Answer 27

1) gloves
2) disposable aprons
3) goggles or other eye protection

Question 28

how do gloves prevent the spread of infection?

Answer 28

reduce the risk of cross-contamination

Question 29

how do disposable aprons prevent the spread of infection?

Answer 29

protect work clothing/uniform from being splashed with blood or body fluids

Question 30

how do goggles or other eye protection prevent the spread of infection?

Answer 30

reduce the risk of eyes being splashed with blood or body fluids

Question 31

where is clinical waste placed after use?

Answer 31

in yellow or orange plastic sacks

Question 32

what does it mean if clinical waste is hazardous?

Answer 32

that it poses or might pose a risk of infection

Question 33

what does it mean if clinical waste is non-hazardous?

Answer 33

that it’s non-infectious

Question 34

give 2 ways sharp objects should not be handled when being disposed

Answer 34

1) purposely broken or bended

2) passed from one hand to another

Question 35

what is linen?

Answer 35

anything made of cloth such as towels, bedding and clothing

Question 36

how can you prevent the transfer of pathogens from linen?

Answer 36

moving laundry to washing area in sealed, colour-coded bags