LESSON 2 Flashcards
A/An _____ happens when a microorganism invades the body, multiplies, and causes injury or disease.
Infection
A/An ____ is a disease-causing microbe which could be classified as bacteria, fungi, protozoa, or virus.
pathogen
What are the two types of infections:
(1) communicable infections
(2) nosocomial and healthcare-associated infections (HAI)
This type of infection can spread from person to person
Communicable infections
This type are usually caused by infected personnel, patients, visitors, food, drug, or equipment while a patient is in the hospital or other healthcare facilities.
Nosocomial and healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)
How can an infection escalate to an epidemic?
All components or links should be favorable to the pathogenic microbe.
What are the six links of the chain of infection?
(1) Infectious (causative) agent
(2) Reservoir
(3) Exit pathway
(4) Means of transmission
(5) Entry pathway
(6) Susceptible host
SIX LINKS OF THE CHAIN OF INFECTION: Pathogenic microbe such as virus, bacteria, fungus, protozoa, and rickettsia
Infectious (causative) agent
SIX LINKS OF THE CHAIN OF INFECTION: Source of the agent of infection or place where the microbe could grow, survive, and multiply, which could be in humans, animals, food, water, soil, or equipment
Reservoir
SIX LINKS OF THE CHAIN OF INFECTION: A way or manner wherein an infectious agent can leave the reservoir host, which could be through secretions and exudates, tissue specimens, blood, feces, or urine
Exit pathway
SIX LINKS OF THE CHAIN OF INFECTION: Airborne, direct (touching or kissing) or indirect contact (contaminated objects), droplets (coughing or sneezing), vector (insect, anthropod, or animal), and vehicle (food, water, or drugs)
Means of transmission
SIX LINKS OF THE CHAIN OF INFECTION: The way an infectious agent enters a host, which includes body orifices, mucous membranes, and breaks in the skin
Entry pathway
SIX LINKS OF THE CHAIN OF INFECTION: Someone who is prone to infection, especially the elderly, newborn babies, patients who are immune-suppressed or unvaccinated, and those suffering from acute or chronic illness
Susceptible host
What are the set of procedures to break the chain of infection called?
Infection Control Program
An infection -control program has four main functions:
- to protect patients, employees, and visitors from infection
- to screen employees for infectious diseases and to require immunization when needed
- to provide evaluation and treatment to health workers who have been exposed to infections while performing their duty
- to monitor employees and patients who are at risk of infection and to collect data from patients and health workers who have been exposed to such danger
This must be followed at all times. These include ensuring that proper hand hygiene is practiced consistently using alcohol-based antiseptic hand cleaners, and that the personal protective equipment (PPE) is clean and properly donned and removed.
Infection-control methods or procedures
This is an essential part of standard precautions in the healthcare setting because it is an effective way to prevent infections that can be transmitted from the patient and healthcare personnel during the procedure.
Hand hygiene
There are two methods for hand hygiene:
- routine hand washing
- hand antisepsis
How and when do you do the routine hand washing? (5)
(1)uses plain soap and water
(1) when hands are visibly dirty
(3) after known exposure to Clostridium difficile, Bacillus anthracis, and infectious diarrhea during norovirus outbreaks
(4) before eating
(5) after using the restroom
What and how do you do a hand antisepsis? (3)
(1) an antimocrobial soap or alcohol-based hand sanitizer to remove transient microorganisms
(2) alcohol-based hand sanitizer is preferred when hands are not visibly dirty
(3) put the sanitizer on hands, rub the hands together for about 20 seconds or until it feels dry
How many seconds do you need to scrub and rub your hands when performing the routine hand-washing technique?
15 seconds
The personal protective equipment (PPE) includes: (7)
(1) gloves
(2) gowns
(3) lab coats
(4) masks
(5) face shields
(6) goggles
(7) respirators
Phlebotomists should always wear _____ during blood collection and when handling specimen. These are worn to prevent contamination of the hands and reduce chances of transmission of microorganisms from personnel to patients.
Gloves
What is the proper order of Donning the PPE (maam Rajane discussion)?
Lab gown —> Mask —> Goggles —> Headcap —> Gloves
What is the proper order of Doffing the PPE (maam Rajane discussion)?
Gloves —> Headcap —> Goggles —> Lab gown —> Mask
Why is it that anyone who enters the nursery area or neonatal ICU should follow the infection-control procedure?
Newborns are most susceptible to infections because of their underdeveloped immune system
the infection-control procedure you should follow when entering the nursery area or neonatal ICU: (4)
- Proper hand washing procedure should be done before putting on the PPE.
- The phlebotomists should only bring items necessary for the specimen collection.
- Blood collection tray should be left outside the nursery, preferably the anteroom.
- Gloves should be removed; hands should be washed; and a new pair of gloves should be used between patients.
In the clinical laboratory, health workers may be exposed to _____ by needlestick or other injuries caused by sharp objects.
Blood-borne pathogens (BBP)
These are microorganisms in the human blood that are infectious and can cause diseases.
Blood-borne pathogens (BBP)
The most common blood-borne pathogens include (3)
(1) Hepatitis B (HBV)
(2) Hepatitis C (HCV)
(3) Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
The best defense for Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
HBV vaccination
The best defense for Hepatitis D Virus
None
The best defense for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
None
Which blood-borne pathogen has these as exposure hazards?
•Blood and other body fluids
• Can survive a week on objects
• Transmitted via needlesticks, sexual contact
(1) Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
(2) Hepatitis D Virus
Which blood-borne pathogen has these as exposure hazards?
• Blood and serum; sometimes saliva
• Infection primarily occurs after large and multiple exposures
• Transmitted via needlesticks, sexual contact
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
Which blood-borne pathogen has these symptoms?
Flu-like, fatigue, loss of appetite, mild fever, muscle/ joint/abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting
(1) Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
(2) Hepatitis D Virus
(3) Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
Healthcare workers are at risk of being exposed to blood-borne pathogens as they perform their duties. Exposure can occur when the following happens:(4)
a. A contaminated needle or sharp object pierces the skin of the health worker
b Body fluid or blood splashes in the eyes, nose, or mouth of the
health worker
c. Cut, scratch, or abrasion of the health worker has made contact with blood or body fluid of an infected patient
d. Human bite cuts the skin of the health worker
During BBP exposure, this procedure should be followed if— BBP Exposure Caused by Needlestick or Any Sharp Objects (2)
- Carefully remove the sharp or foreign object.
- Wash the site thoroughly with soap and water for at least
30 seconds.
During BBP exposure, this procedure should be followed if—BBP Exposure through Mucous Membrane (3)
- Flush with water or saline for at least 10 minutes.
- For the eyes, use eyewash station for flushing, if available.
Remember to remove the contact lenses (if there are any) and make sure to disinfect them. - Report the incident to the immediate supervisor so that evaluation, treatment, and counseling can be provided.
What is the ratio for bleach solution for surface decontamination?
use 1:10 bleach solution or other disinfectants for the specimen collection and processing areas
This refers to any material that could be harmful to one’s health.
Biohazard
This is used to prevent and protect clinical laboratories from harmful incidents caused by laboratory specimens that are potential biohazards.
Biosafety
A health worker could be exposed to a biohazard in various ways.
These ways are called the biohazard exposure routes. (5)
- Airborne
- Ingestion
- Non-intact skin
- Percutaneous
- Permucosal
This is the biohazard exposure routes for splashes and aerosols during centrifuge and aliquot; patients with airborne diseases.
Airborne
This is the biohazard exposure routes for when hands are not sanitized before handling food.
Ingestion
This is the biohazard exposure routes for contamination through breaks or cuts in the skin.
Non-intact skin
This is the biohazard exposure routes exposure through the skin due to injuries from needlesticks and other sharp objects.
Percutaneous
This is the biohazard exposure routes for infection through mucous membranes of the mouth and nose and the conjunctiva of the eyes.
Permucosal
This is a potential hazard when handling electrical equipments
Electric shock
The following actions should be taken if electric shock occurs.
(4)
- Remove the source of electricity using a non-conductive object or simply turn off the source of electricity.
- Ask for medical assistance.
- Start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if necessary.
- Keep the victim warm.
This refers to fire caused by ordinary combustible materials such as wood or paper, which require water or water-based solutions to extinguish.
Class A
This refers to fire caused by flammable liquids and vapors such as paint, oil, grease, and gasoline which require blocking oxygen to snuff out.
Class B
This refers to fire caused by live electrical equipment, which requires the use of non-conducting agents to extinguish.
Class C
This refers to fire caused by combustible and reactive metals such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, and lithium which need powder agents or sand to put out.
Class D
This refers to fire caused by cooking oil, grease, or fats with high temperature which require agents that prevent splashing, cooling, and smothering the fire.
Class K
Radiation exposure depends on: (3)
(1) time
(2) distance
(3) protection or shielding.
This can be encountered by the phlebotomists when collecting specimens from patients who have been injected with radioactive dyes or from the nuclear medicine department or simply when delivering specimens to the radioimmunoassay sections of the laboratory.
Radiation hazard
As a general rule, the phlebotomists should always wear the___ when working with chemicals.
PPE
The following practices should NEVER be done: (6)
- Storing chemicals above eye level
- Adding water to acid
- Mixing chemicals indiscriminately
- Storing chemicals in unlabeled containers
- Pouring chemicals into used or dirty containers
- Using chemicals in ways other than their intended uses
The personnel exposed to chemical spill or splash should flush the affected part with water for at least __ minutes and visit the emergency room (ER) for evaluation.
15 minutes
This is a condition when there is not enough blood that circulates back to the heart, which results in inadequate supply of oxygen in the body. It may be caused by hemorrhage, heart attack, trauma, and drug reactions.
Shock
The common symptoms of shock are as follows: (5)
(1) pale
(2) cold and clammy skin
(3) rapid and weak pulse
(4) increased and shallow breathing
(5) expressionless face with a blank stare.
When the patient is in shock, perform the following steps as first aid. (5)
- Keep the airway open.
- Call for medical assistance.
- Keep the patient lying down.
- Control any bleeding or other cause of shock.
- Keep the patient warm.
This is a procedure done on a person who is suffering from cardiac arrest. Being able to perform ___ on a patient increases his/her chance of survival.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
What are the components to personal wellness? (6)
(1) Personal hygiene
(2) Time to relax
(3) Proper posture
(4) Regular exercise
(5) Enough sleep
(6) Proper nutrition
REMINDER: READ HOW TO DO CPR ON PAGE 26
Mwah
