Infection Prevention & Control

Question 1

Name the components of the chain of infection [6]

Answer 1

1. infectious agent
2. reservoirs
3. portal of exit
4. mode of transmission
5. portal of entry
6. susceptible host

Question 2

Chain of infection: what are the different infectious agents? [3]

Answer 2

1. gram +ve bacteria
   
   • staphylococcus
   • streptococcus
   • VRE (vancomycin resistant enterococcus)
   • C. difficile
2. gram -ve bacteria
   
   • E. coli
   • pseudomonas
3. viruses
   
   • norovirus
   • RSV (respiratory syncytial virus)
   • influenza A

Question 3

Chain of infection: what are the reservoirs of infection? [3]

Answer 3

1. environment
2. animals
3. humans

Question 4

Chain of infection: what are the different portals of exit and give an example of a condition for each [10]

Answer 4

1. respiratory tract → TB
2. faeces → salmonella
3. vomit → norovirus
4. cuts & injuries → blood-borne viruses
5. conjunctival secretions → enterovirus

Question 5

Chain of infection: what are the modes of transmission? [5]

Answer 5

1. airborne
2. vehicle-borne (food)
3. droplet spread
4. direct contact
5. vector-borne (mechanical or biologic)

Question 6

Chain of infection: what are the different portals of entry? [4]

Answer 6

1. respiratory tract
2. mucous membranes
3. skin (non-intact)
4. mouth/faecal

Question 7

Define infection [1]

Answer 7

the presence of microorganisms causing damage to body tissues, usually in the presence of acute inflammation

Question 8

Define colonisation [1]

Answer 8

when bacteria grow on body sites exposed to the environment, without causing any infection - this is normal

Question 9

List the principles of aseptic technique [9]

Answer 9

1. reduce activity in area
2. keep exposure of a susceptible site to a minimum
3. check sterile packs for evidence of damage or moisture
4. ensure all fluids materials in date
5. do not re-use single use items
6. hand decontamination prior to the procedure
7. protect uniform/clothing with a disposable apron
8. use sterile gloves
9. appropriate waste disposal

Question 10

List the prevention strategies for organisms causing hospital acquired infection (HAI)

Answer 10

1. Isolation
2. Screening
3. Cohorting
   
   • specific team are responsible for patients with a specific infectious agent
4. Standard and transmission based precautions
5. Surveillance
6. Antimicrobial stewardship

Question 11

Name the 10 standard infection control precautions [10]

Answer 11

1. Assess patients for infection risk and ensure they are cared for in a safe place
2. Practice good hand hygiene
3. Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing
4. Wear suitable personal protective equipment
5. Keep all reusable care equipment clean and well maintained
6. Keep the care environment clean and tidy
7. Safely handle used linen
8. Safely clean up all blood and body fluid spillages
9. Safely dispose of all household and care activity waste
10. Take corrective action if injured or exposed to bloods and body fluids

Question 12

What are the 5 instances when you should practice hand hygiene? [5]

Answer 12

1. before touching a patient
2. before a procedure
3. After a procedure or body fluid exposure risk
4. After touching a patient
5. After touching a patient’s surroundings

Question 13

What are the transmission based precautions that must be implemented for infections transmitted via direct contact? [4]

Answer 13

1. isolation
2. cleaning
3. gloves
4. apron

Question 14

What are the transmission based precautions that must be implemented for infections transmitted via droplet spread? [2]

Answer 14

1. surgical mask
2. eye protection

Question 15

Name 3 infections that are airborne [3]

Answer 15

1. TB
2. pandemic flu
3. measles varicella zoster

Question 16

What are the transmission based precautions that must be implemented for infections that are airborne? [1]

Answer 16

FFP3 masks (face masks)