Infectious Diseases

Question 1

Immune system

Answer 1

• it is considered a functional system that works in times of wellness and illness vs. an organ system
• innate immunity: responded immediately to protect body from infection from foreign material. not specific to any type of pathogen
• adaptive immunity: acquired immunity that is specific to foreign pathogens and enhances innate system. antigen specific.

Question 2

infectious diseases

Answer 2

these factors can lead to a weakened immune system and place patients at risk for developing infectious diseases:

• malnutrition
• diabetes, cancer or other chronic illnesses
• circulatory problems
• advanced age
• stress
• surgery
• mucous membrane or skin openings such as IV sites, catheters, or chest tubes.

Question 3

neutropenia

Answer 3

condition characterized by low number of neutrophils in blood causing pt. to be at risk for developing infectious disease.

• blood cancer
• HIV
• chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
• aplastic anemia
• vitamin B12 deficiency
• autoimmune disease

Question 4

neutropenia precautions

Answer 4

handwashing
personal protective gear
no raw or uncooked foods
no fresh flowers *molds fungus from plants

*no hot tubs
*good dental care
look at FM to brush teeth/floss
need to wear shoes
socks don’t provide enough protection
avoid exposure to other people

Question 5

nosocomial infection

Answer 5

does not include those being admitted with pneumonia or HIV. they had no known infection at the time of infection

*acquired in hospital
# 1 is UTI
surgical sites

Question 6

multidrug resistant organisms (MDRO’s)

Answer 6

typically transmitted from one pt. to the next by health care workers

70% of bacteria that cause HAI are resistant to at least one of the drugs that are commonly used o treat them.

Question 7

Sepsis

Answer 7

systemic inflammatory response where spread of infection from initial site into bloodstream occurs.

Leads to inflammation and decreased blood flow to vital organs *heart, lungs, kidneys

caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungus infection

generally occurs in those critically ill such cellulitis: redness of soft tissue (used to lead to amputation), UTI, brain or SC infections, peritonitis, gallbladder or liver infection, appendicitis, pneumonia

*can be viral
can become more fragile
it’s very serious
ask about pain, where is it? related to surgery?

Question 8

common infectious diseases OT treat

Answer 8

shingles, concentrated rash on trunk, airborne or contact with blisters, can lead to neuralgia, CNS problems, pneumonia, Reye syndrome

OT staff should not tx if pregnant, have never had chicken pox, or vaccine, or are immune compromised.

Question 9

c-diff (clostridium difficile)

Answer 9

bacterium causing diarrhea or colitis
watery diarrhea
fever
nausea
appetite loss
abdominal tenderness
OT must wash with soap and water, hand saintlier does not kill c-diff spores
get thru touching contaminated surfaces.

Question 10

Hep A

Answer 10

• transmitted by Hep A. virus in areas of poor sanitation usually thru contaminated food or water
• hep A transmitted by soon, jaundice, abd pain, fever, fatigue, diarrhea
• very rare: fever than 20K cases/year
• most people are vaccinated for this
• once you have it, you can never get it again
• eating or drinking in pt. care area is risky
• poor hand hygiene

Question 11

hep B

Answer 11

• liver disease caused by HBV virus
• spread thru intimate contact either sexual or birth mother to fetus
• can cause lifetime scarring or cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and death
• spread when blood of infected person enters body of non infected person
• all healthcare workers should be vaccinated against HBV
• wear protective clothing around body fluids.

Question 12

hep C

Answer 12

common ,sexually transmitted

• liver disease caused by HVC in blood of people with the disease
• leads to chronic liver infection ,cirrhosis, and need for liver transplant

Question 13

MRSA

Answer 13

• bacteria causes staph infections but is resistant to penicillin, amoxicillin, and methicillin, etc
• can infect community health people with skin infections that look like boils, or pimples with draining pus
• hospital based those with weak immune systems
• 1/3 caes occur during hospitalizations
• causes blood infections, pneumonia surgical site infections
• infection spread by hand contact with pt. or devices.

Question 14

gastroenteritis norovirus

Answer 14

• highly contagious virus and diarrhea
• quick onset with fatigue, malaise, myalgia, ramps, and nausea
• wear protective gear
• hand washing
• spread by fecally contaminated food or drink or by contact with surfaces in contact with feces or vomit

Question 15

autoimmune

Answer 15

RA
Scleroderma
myasthenia
MS
guillan barre sydrome
lupus

Question 16

OT focus with autoimmune diseases

Answer 16

activity modification
positioning
pain management
IADL performance
energy conservatation
splinting
max. self care independence
AE and DME