Key Highlights from Immune and Asepsis Lecture

Question 1

Define medical asepsis

Answer 1

Confine a specific microorganism to a specific area (limiting growth, number and transmission)

Question 2

List examples of nosocomial HAIs

Answer 2

Central IV line
Blood stream infection
Cath UTI infection
Surgical site infection
Vent pneumonia infection

Question 3

List the chain of infection

Answer 3

Etiologic agent
Reservoir
Portal of exit
Mode of transmission
Portal of entry
Susceptible host

Question 4

What is septicemia?

Answer 4

When bacteremia results in a systemic infection

Question 5

Define nosocomial HAI

Answer 5

infection that originated in the hospital or manifest after discharge

Question 6

Where do nosocomial infections primarily originate from?

Answer 6

Endogenous sources (originating from the client themself)

Question 7

List the links in the chain of infection

Answer 7

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

Question 8

What is the mode of transmission?

Answer 8

Transmission to reach another individual through receptive portal of entry

Question 9

What is an etiologic agent?

Answer 9

how powerful a microorganism can produce a disease and enter the body

Question 10

What is a reservoir?

Answer 10

Source of the microorganism like humans, plants, water, feces, medical equipment

Question 11

What is a portal of exit?

Answer 11

Microorganisms leaving the reservoir (through coughing, sneezing, saliva, vaginal discharge, puncture site, drainage from cut)

Question 12

Describe direct transmission (Mode of transmission)

Answer 12

Direct transfer of microorganisms through *touch, biting, kissing, droplets transmitted directly to mucus membranes from individual to individual

Question 13

Describe indirect transmission (Mode of transmission)

Answer 13

Vehicle-borne
Vector-borne
Airborne

Question 14

Describe vehicle-borne transport

Answer 14

Intermediate means to transport infectious agent to host portal of entry (soiled clothes, toys, cooking utinsils)

Question 15

Describe vector-borne transport

Answer 15

Animal, flying or crawling insect (injecting salivary fluid during bite or feces through bite wound)

Question 16

Describe airborne transport

Answer 16

transmission involving droplets or dust. (droplets emitted by host or dust particles containing infectious agent)

Question 17

What are portals of entry to a susceptible host?

Answer 17

Any break in skin
Medical tubes, caths, surgical wounds

Question 18

What is a susceptible host?

Answer 18

Individual who is at risk for infection
Compromised host is more likely to get infected (age, immuno deficient or immuno suppressed)

Question 19

What is the difference between a pathogen or antigen?

Answer 19

Pathogen- microorganism that can cause disease
Antigen - substance that induces state of sensitivity or immune responsiveness (immunity)

Question 20

The immune response has two components:

Answer 20

Antibody mediated defense
Cell mediated defense

Question 21

Describe antibody mediated defense

Answer 21

Immunoglobulins or antibodies defend against the extracellular phases of bacterial and viral infections

Question 22

Describe cell mediated defense

Answer 22

Lymphoid tissues release large number of activated T cells into the lymph system

Question 23

What equipment stays in pts isolation room?

Answer 23

BP cuff and stethoscope

Question 24

What are the 5 signs of inflammatory response?

Answer 24

Pain
Swelling
Redness
Heat
Impaired function of the part

Question 25

What are the different WBC levels and what do they mean?

Answer 25

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

Question 26

Define surgical asepsis

Answer 26

Keeping an area or object free of microorganisms. This is used for procedures involving sterile areas of the body.