Infection Prevention/Control Flashcards
body’s defenses against pathogens
- skin
- mouth
- eyes
- RT
- GI
- vagina
iatrogenic infection
caused by invasive diagnostic/therapeutic procedures
exogenous infecton
from microorganisms outside the host
endogenous infection
from microorganisms within the host
S&S of infection
- fever
- chills/sweats
- fatigue
- headache
- nausea/vomitting
- loss of appetite
- muscle aches
considerations before starting abx
bloodwork to see if blood is strong enough
empirical abx are prescribed without knowing what the organism d/t pain
HAIs
- CAUTI: Catheter associated UTI
- CLABSI: Central line associated blood system infection
- VAP: ventillator associated pneumonia
Lab tests to screen for infection
- WBC
- blood culture x2
- wound culture
- urine culture
- sputum culture
medical asepsis
standard precautions, hand hygiene, alcohol hand rub
surgical asepsis
procedures to eliminate all microbes to prevent contamination of open wounds
ie dressing changes, catheter insertions, central line insertions, trach
airborne precautions
- PPE: N95
- Ex: TB, Varicella
- patients should be placed in private negative pressure rooms or wear surgical masks
droplet precautions
- PPE: surgical mask
- EX: influenza, adenovirus, COVID, rhinovirus, M. pnuemoniae
- Patients should be in private room or with other patient with same infection, wear mask when out of room
contact precautions
- PPE: gown, gloves, face shield
- EX: vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus, C. Diff
neutropenic precautions
- for immunocompromised patients
- private room
- no organic materials!! (may carry harmful organisms)
how to prevent needlestick injuries?
use scoop method to recap!
disinfection
process that eliminates many or all microorganisms except spores
sterilization
complete elimination of all microorganisms including spores
symptoms of localized inflammatory response
- edema
- redness
- tenderness
- loss of function
most likely means of transmission of infection
healthcare worker’s hands
why does indwelling catheter present a risk for UTI?
it obstructs the normal flushing action of urine flow
