Medical Asepsis Flashcards
Inherent
native to host
Contagious
communicable or spreadable
Primary
first infection that a person has
Secondary
infection that a person gets because they already have a primary infection
Exogenous
not normally found in the body
Endogenous
organisms in the body
Infection
pathogen invades tissues and begins multiplying in the host
Colonization
presence and multiplication of microorganisms but not tissue damage
Communicable
transmitted from one individual to another
Symptomatic infection
pathogens cause signs and symptoms of disease
Asymptomatic infection
pathogens cause no signs and symptoms of disease
Virulence
ability to produce disease
What are some infectious agents?
viruses, bacteria, fungi (yeast), protozoans (malaria), helminths (worms), and prions
What are the natural defenses in the body?
Skin, mouth, eyes, respiratory tract, urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract, and vagina
How to prevent and control infection
hand hygiene, barrier techniques (gloves, masks, and gowns), antiseptics/disinfectants, immunizations/medications, conscientious patient care
Chain of infection
infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, means of transmission, portal of entry, susceptible host, repeat
Reservoir
Any natural setting where the growth and reproduction of an infectious agent can occur
ex: humans, animals, food, water, insects, inanimate objects
Portal of Exit
Respiratory- sputum, cough, sneeze
G-U (urinary)- reproductive secretions, urine
Means of transmission
direct contact: person-to-person
indirect contact: fomites
Respiratory: through the air
Vector: insects
Portal of entry
GI & GU tracts
mucous membranes
skin integrity disruptions
respiratory tract
eyes
Examples of susceptible host
Immunocompromised, elderly or very young, trauma/surgery, indwelling skin devices, skin/mucous membrane breaks, poor oxygenation, impaired circulation, chronic/acute disease, antibiotic resistance, poor aseptic measures, poor nutrition, stress, crowded environments, poor sanitation, travel exposure
What is important about hand hygiene?
friction
Why is hand hygiene so important?
the longer you don’t use hand hygiene the more microorganisms can grow
When are the five times you should use hand hygiene?
before touching a pt, before a clean/aseptic procedure, after body fluid exposure risk, after touching a patient, after touching a patient’s surroundings