LM3 - infection control

Question 1

what is an infection?

Answer 1

• the invasion and growth of microorganisms in the body

Question 2

what are risk factors for acquiring an infection?

Answer 2

• inadequate handwashing, use of poor medical or surgical asepsis
• post-op clients
• clients w/ indwelling devices
• a break in the skin
• those with poor oxygenation
• impaired circulation
• acute or chronic illnesses, immunocompromised, poor hygiene, poor nutrition, stress
• NSAIDS + steroids can decrease the immune system because they decrease the inflammatory response (needed to fight infection)

Question 3

chain of infection?

Answer 3

• causative/infectious agent
• reservoir
• portal of exit
• mode of transmission
• portal of entry
• susceptible host

Question 4

what is normal flora?

Answer 4

• microorganisms that reside on the skin, in saliva, and the GI and GU tract

Question 5

what are some portal of entries?

Answer 5

• cuts in skin or mucous membranes
• respiratory tract
• digestive system
• gentiourinary tract
• circulatory tract

Question 6

what are reservoirs that microorganisms can survive and multiply and await transfer?

Answer 6

• humans
• animals
• insects
• food
• water
• inanimate objects

healthcare - hands, patients, equipment, environment

Question 7

what are examples of the portal of exit?

Answer 7

• urine, blood, feces, saliva, tears, mucous discharge, sexual secretions, draining wounds

Question 8

what is a susceptible host?

Answer 8

• a person likely to get an infection
• usually immune system is down

Question 9

interventions to break the chain of infection?

Answer 9

hand hygiene
- wash hands
- alcohol-based hand rubs

clean, disinfect, sterilize

Question 10

signs of localized infections?

Answer 10

• heat
• impaired functions
• pain
• edema
• redness

Question 11

signs of systemic infections?

Answer 11

• fever
• leukocytosis (increased WBCs)
• malaise
• anorexia
• nausea/vomiting
• lymph node enlargement
• organ failure

Question 12

lab tests for infections?

Answer 12

• WBC (5,000-10,000/mm3) > 10,000 = infection
• differential count (neutrophils 55-70%, pus forming = increased) (older adult or overhwhelming bacterial infection = decreased)
• ESR - erythrocyte sedimentation rate (> w/inflammatory response) (men = up to 15mm/hr, women = up to 20mm/hr)
• cultures + gram stain
• iron levels - 60-90g/100mL (decreased in chronic infection)
• CRP (C-reactive protein) - high levels indicate inflammation

Question 13

what are some non-specific body defenses?

Answer 13

• normal flora -> help prevent infection, as long as they stay in the area, they are suppose to
• inflammation -> process that neutralizes + eliminates pathogens or dead (necrotic) tissue + repairs body cells + tissues

Question 14

what is asepsis?

Answer 14

• absence of illness-producing microorganisms
• by hand hygiene

Question 15

what is medical asepsis?

Answer 15

• a set of practices that prevent the spread of microorganisms and infection
• handwashing, disinfecting

Question 16

what is surgical asepsis?

Answer 16

• the absence of all microorganisms within any type of invasive procedure
• sterile gloving, sterile fields

Question 17

what is standard precautions? (tier 1)

Answer 17

• hang hygiene
• when appropriate wear PPE: gloves, mask, gown, eye protection

Question 18

what is transmission precautions? (tier 2)

Answer 18

• airborne (N95/respirator)
• droplet (eyewear, masks)
• contact (gown, gloves)
• protective environment (isolated room, designated equipment)

Question 19

what are psychological effects of the infectious process?

Answer 19

impact
- loneliness ->normal social relationships disrupted
- altered body image -> unclean, rejected, lonely, guilty
- limited sensory contact

Question 20

evaluation is to be infection free, check what?

Answer 20

• afebrile
• wound, surgical site, venipuncture site
• respiratory tract
• urinary tract
• labs
• client understanding -> ability to describe s/s of infection, protection practices, bathing, oral hygiene, care of wound

Question 21

what does HAI stand for?

Answer 21

healthcare acquired infection
- infections that patients get while or soon after receiving care

Question 22

what is a CAUTI?

Answer 22

catheter-associated urinary tract infection
- proper hand hygiene
- sterile equipment
- use catheter only when needed and maintainence

Question 23

what is a intravascular catheter related infection?

Answer 23

can occur with central venous catheters (CVCs) and peripheral intravenous (IV) catheters

Question 24

what would be a way to prevent respiratory infections?

Answer 24

• good hand hygiene
• covering coughs/sneezes
• vaccinations
• keep distance from those who are sick
• proper nutrition and sleep

Question 25

ways to avoid infections through skin/wounds/surgical

Answer 25

- keep skin moisturized to avoid breaks in skin - thoroughly clean through wounds with soap and water - cover wounds with clean dressings - follow wound care instructions - do not touch the wound

Question 26

a form of asepsis that uses sterile technique?

Answer 26

- surgical asepsis

Question 27

whether they are taken from blood, urine, or wound drainage, these must be taken before administering antibiotics?

Answer 27

- cultures

Question 28

a host is considered this when they are likely to get an infection, or their immune system is suppressed?

Answer 28

susceptible

Question 29

a type of WBC that is increased in chronic bacterial and viral infections but decreased in sepsis?

Answer 29

- lymphocytes