Module 3

Question 1

what is a pathogen

Answer 1

microorganisms capable of causing disease

Question 2

what is “communicable”

Answer 2

if the infection can be transmitted from one person to the other

Question 3

define immunocompromised

Answer 3

has an impaired immune system

Question 4

what are the 6 elements of the chain of infection

Answer 4

an infectious agent, a reservoir, a portal of exit form reservoir, a mode of transmission, a portal of entry to a host and a susceptible host

Question 5

what is an infectious agent

Answer 5

a pathogen (microorganisms that include bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa)

Question 6

define virulence

Answer 6

the ability of a microorganism to produce disease

Question 7

define reservoir

Answer 7

a place where a pathogen can survive but may or may not multiply

Question 8

define colonize

Answer 8

when a pathogen is present on or in the body but does not cause harm

Question 9

define carrier

Answer 9

animals or people who show no symptoms of illness but who have pathogens on or in their bodies that can be transferred to other i.e. Hep B

Question 10

define portal of exit

Answer 10

path by which the pathogen leaves the reservoir

Question 11

define the mode of transmission

Answer 11

indirect contact: major mode of transmission in health care facilities (stethoscope)
direct contact: human to human

Question 12

define portal of entry

Answer 12

the way organisms enter the body

i.e. body openings, breaks in skin or mucous membranes

Question 13

define susceptibility

Answer 13

depends on individual’s degree of resistance to a pathogen

Question 14

define normal flora

Answer 14

resident flora on the skin that do not typically cause disease when residing in their usual area of the body but, instead, participate in maintaining health
i.e. in large intestine, normal flora secrete antibacterial substances

Question 15

define nosocomial infection/ Health Care Associated infection/ Iatrogenic Infection

Answer 15

infection acquired after admission to a health care facility that was not present or incubating at the time admission

Question 16

What are 2 other terms for nosocomial infections

Answer 16

Health Care Associated infection/ Iatrogenic Infection

Question 17

medical asepsis

Answer 17

cleaning technique, procedures that reduce and prevent the spread of microorganisms

Question 18

define disinfection

Answer 18

the elimination of all pathogens (except bacterial spores)

Question 19

define sterilization

Answer 19

the destruction of all microorganisms including spores

Question 20

define exogenous infection

Answer 20

arises from microorganisms external to the individual that do not exist as normal flora (i.e. salmonella)

Question 21

define endogenous infection

Answer 21

can occur when some of patient’s flora become altered and overgrowth occurs (i.e. yeast infection)

Question 22

describe how measures can stop the spread of infection at: infectious agent

Answer 22

constant cleaning, disinfection and sterilization are done to eliminate pathogens

Question 23

describe how measures can stop the spread of infection at: reservoir

Answer 23

eliminate or control sources of body fluids, drainage or solutions that harbour microorganisms

Question 24

describe how measures can stop the spread of infection at: portal of exit

Answer 24

• To control organisms leaving the respiratory tract, wear a mask as needed
• Avoid talking into clients faces and never talk, sneeze or cough directly over a client

Question 25

describe how measures can stop the spread of infection at: transmission

Answer 25

• Never share client’s personal items such as: bedpans, urinals, bath basins and eating utensils. Insure that when taking temperatures the disposable sheath is always used and immediately discarded. Always use fluid resistant linen bags, and if every carrying soiled linens, ensure that they are held away from body. Hand hygiene is most important when preventing the transmission of infection

Question 26

describe how measures can stop the spread of infection at: portal of entry

Answer 26

• Maintain integrity of skin and mucous membranes (immobilize clients that are susceptible to skin breakdown)
• Carefully dispose of needles and catheters
• Always clean a wound outward from wound site to avoid pulling microorganisms into wound