Infection Prevention and Control Flashcards
What is the other name for healthcare-associated infection (HAI)?
Nosocomial infection
What are the most common pathogens to cause HAIs?
Staphylococcus aureus, pseudomonas aeruginosa, and e-coli
Define infection
the invasion and multiplication of a pathogen in or on our body tissues causing clinical manifestations
Define pathogen
an organism capable of causing an infection (bacteria, fungi, virus, parasite) –not all organisms are pathogens
Define localized
limited to a specific part of the body and has local symptoms (ex. heat, swelling, pain, etc.)
Define systemic
affects more than one area of the body, rather than a single organ or body part (ex. cold, flu, strep throat, etc.)
What is the difference between resident and transient flora?
resident flora is permanently attached to the skin of the person, and transient flora is attached until another person or object comes in contact and then it will transfer to the other person/thing
What is an endogenous infection?
an infection that occurs when a client’s normal flora becomes altered, and overgrowth of that harmful organism occurs (ex. yeast infection)
What is an exogenous infection?
an infection that arises from microorganisms external to the individual (the opposite of endogenous infections)
What are the 6 links in the chain of infection?
- Infectious agent– can cause the infection
- reservoir– a place for the microorganism to survive and possibly multiply
- portal of exit– the path for the microorganism to exit the reservoir
- means of transmission– how it travels (droplet, contact, etc.)
- portal of entry– how to enter person (same as portal of exit)
- susceptible host– anyone who is not immune
Define “communicable disease”
an infection that can be transmitted between people
What does disease causing ability depend on?
-number of organisms
-virulence (ability to produce disease)
-ability to enter and survive in host
Define asepsis
asepsis is the absense of pathogens and can be achieved through the use of aseptic technique– medical asepsis is considered clean technique and surgical asepsis is considered sterile technique
To perform a PCRA (point of care risk assessment) you must consider infection transmission risk for:
interaction/task, environment, person receiving care, and health care worker
Define pathogenicity
the ability of the microorganism to cause disease
Define superinfection
when the body’s defenses are decreased by a broad-spectrum antibiotic and disease-producing organisms multiply
What are the stages of infection?
Incubation period– when the pathogen first enters the body (days or years)
Prodromal stage– interval between the first nonspecific symptoms and more specific symptoms
Illness stage– when the patient has symptoms specific to that infection
Convalescence– interval when the acute symptoms decrease, and the body works to return to homeostasis
What characteristics make a person more susceptible to disease
age, nutritional status, stress, disease process, medical therapy
When is an alcohol-based hand rub (sanitizer) not used?
when the hands are visibly soiled or the client has c-diff
What are the 4 moments of hand hygiene that are required of all HCWs?
- before initial patient environment contact
- before aseptic/clean procedures
- after body fluid exposure risk
- after patient environment contact
What is the difference between medical gloves and sterile gloves?
medical gloves are considered clean like freshly washed hands, and sterile gloves must be used during sterile technique– most of the time we will be using medical gloves
What is the purpose of a mitered corner?
to keep the bed linens in place with client movement (and a toe pleat is for providing room for foot movement)
What are the 5 means of transmission?
- contact (direct or indirect)
- droplet
- airborne
- common vehicle
- vectorborne
What is a vector?
living organisms that can transmit infectious diseases between humans or from animals to humans– the most common is the mosquito
