Key Highlights from Immune and Asepsis Lecture Flashcards
Define medical asepsis
Confine a specific microorganism to a specific area (limiting growth, number and transmission)
List examples of nosocomial HAIs
Central IV line
Blood stream infection
Cath UTI infection
Surgical site infection
Vent pneumonia infection
List the chain of infection
Etiologic agent
Reservoir
Portal of exit
Mode of transmission
Portal of entry
Susceptible host
What is septicemia?
When bacteremia results in a systemic infection
Define nosocomial HAI
infection that originated in the hospital or manifest after discharge
Where do nosocomial infections primarily originate from?
Endogenous sources (originating from the client themself)
List the links in the chain of infection
Etiologic agent - microorganism
Reservoir - where the organism resides
Portal of exit - from reservoir
Mode of transmission
Portal of entry - into the host
Susceptibility of the host
What is the mode of transmission?
Transmission to reach another individual through receptive portal of entry
What is an etiologic agent?
how powerful a microorganism can produce a disease and enter the body
What is a reservoir?
Source of the microorganism like humans, plants, water, feces, medical equipment
What is a portal of exit?
Microorganisms leaving the reservoir (through coughing, sneezing, saliva, vaginal discharge, puncture site, drainage from cut)
Describe direct transmission (Mode of transmission)
Direct transfer of microorganisms through *touch, biting, kissing, droplets transmitted directly to mucus membranes from individual to individual
Describe indirect transmission (Mode of transmission)
Vehicle-borne
Vector-borne
Airborne
Describe vehicle-borne transport
Intermediate means to transport infectious agent to host portal of entry (soiled clothes, toys, cooking utinsils)
Describe vector-borne transport
Animal, flying or crawling insect (injecting salivary fluid during bite or feces through bite wound)
Describe airborne transport
transmission involving droplets or dust. (droplets emitted by host or dust particles containing infectious agent)
What are portals of entry to a susceptible host?
Any break in skin
Medical tubes, caths, surgical wounds
What is a susceptible host?
Individual who is at risk for infection
Compromised host is more likely to get infected (age, immuno deficient or immuno suppressed)
What is the difference between a pathogen or antigen?
Pathogen- microorganism that can cause disease
Antigen - substance that induces state of sensitivity or immune responsiveness (immunity)
The immune response has two components:
Antibody mediated defense
Cell mediated defense
Describe antibody mediated defense
Immunoglobulins or antibodies defend against the extracellular phases of bacterial and viral infections
Describe cell mediated defense
Lymphoid tissues release large number of activated T cells into the lymph system
What equipment stays in pts isolation room?
BP cuff and stethoscope
What are the 5 signs of inflammatory response?
Pain
Swelling
Redness
Heat
Impaired function of the part
What are the different WBC levels and what do they mean?
Neutrophils - 50%-70% - acute infection
Lymphocytes - 25% - 35% - viral or chronic infection/ lymphocytic leukemia
Monocytes - 4-6% - viral infections and Hodgkin’s disease
Eosinophils - 1-3% - allergic reactions, phlebitis, parasitic infections
Basophils - 0.4-1.0% - inflammatory process/ leukemia
Define surgical asepsis
Keeping an area or object free of microorganisms. This is used for procedures involving sterile areas of the body.
