Infection Prevention and Disease Control 1 Flashcards
what are HAI’s?
healthcare-associated infections
what’s another name for HAI’s
nosocomial infections
what is a pathogen?
an organism capable of causing disease
what are the most common HAI’s?
staph aureus, ecoli, aeruginosa
what are HAI’s most commonly caused from?
catheters, respiratory pneumonia, central lines, surgical sites
what is an infection?
an invasion of pathogens into the body
what is a localized infection?
an infection only pertaining to 1 body system
what is a systemic infection?
an infection encompassing the whole body
what is a carrier?
someone that has the infection but isn’t showing any symptoms
what is an endogenous infection?
a change in someones flora (good bacteria), an overgrowth
what is an exogenous infection?
an external factor the body is exposed to and is infected by
what is an infectious agent?
the pathogen causing an infection
what is a reservoir?
someone or something keeping the pathogen alive (good environment to fuel growth)
what is the prime temperature, pH, and light required for a pathogen to multiply?
between 35 and 37 C, pH of 5-8, dim lighting
what is a portal of exit?
the way the pathogen is able to leave the host and infect another
what are some examples of a portal of exit?
mucosal membranes, open wounds (blood), fecal matter/vomit
what are the 5 means of transmission?
contact (direct and indirect), droplet, airborne, common vehicle, vector
what is means of transmission?
how the pathogen is spread from 1 host to another
what is a portal of entry?
getting the pathogen inside another host
what are some examples of portals of entry?
mucosal membranes, open wounds (blood)
what is a susceptible host?
someone/something not immune to the pathogen
what is medical asepsis?
clean technique, reduces the number of microorganisms, goal is to be as clean as possible (skin is not sterile)
what is surgical asepsis?
sterile technique
what are PCRA’s?
point of care risk assessments
what are PCRA’s used for?
to reduce the chance of infection as much as possible before visiting a patient
why do we perform hand hygiene?
to minimize HAI’s
what are the 4 moments of hand hygiene?
before initial contact with patient/environment, before aseptic procedures, after contact/exposure to bodily fluids, after contact with patient/environment
how do you perform hand hygiene?
minimum of 20sec, no nail polish past 4 days, no gel polish, short nails (no longer than ¼ inch),no jewelry
what is ABHR?
alcohol-based hand rub
when can you not use ABHR?
when hands are visibly soiled, when patient is C-Diff positive
