Module 3

Question 1

What body parts provide a normal defense against infection?

Answer 1

Normal flora; Skin (body’s first line of defence); Mouth (saliva); Eye; Respiratory tract (cilia lining upper airway); Urinary tract; Gastrointestinal tract (acidity of gastric secretions); Vagina (normal flora causes vaginal secretions); Inflammation (body’s cellular response to injury or infection)

Question 2

What is a nursing measure to control an infectious agent?

Answer 2

Proper cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of contaminated objects significantly reduce and often eliminate microorganisms.

Question 3

What is a nursing measure to control a reservoir?

Answer 3

Nurses need to eliminate or control sources of body fluids, drainage, or solutions that might harbour microorganisms. Nurses may also discard articles that become contaminated with infections material.

Question 4

What is a nursing measure to control portal of entry?

Answer 4

Protect the patients skin. (Especially immobilized patients). Put lotion, avoid positioning patients on objects such as tubes that could cause skin breakdown. Frequently turn and reposition patients. Frequent oral hygiene prevents the drying of mucous membranes.

Question 5

What is a nursing measure to control transmission?

Answer 5

Effective control of infection requires nurses to remain aware of the modes of transmission and ways to control them. A patient should have a personal set of care items (bedpans, urinals, bath basins, eating utensils).

Question 6

What is a nursing measure to control portal of exit?

Answer 6

For the respiratory tract: wear a mask; avoid talking directly into a patient’s face; cover mouth & nose when sneezing/coughing especially avoiding open wounds or sterile dressings.

Educate patients about how to protect others when they sneeze/cough and to provide disposable wipes/tissues to control the spread.

Always carefully handle contaminated fluids & wear PPE when handling them. Make sure to dispose of them after in the appropriate bin.