MODULE 3: MEDICAL ASEPSIS Flashcards
WHAT ARE THE LINKS IN THE CHAIN OF INFECTION
infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, host
WHAT IS AN INFECTIOUS AGENT, WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF THEM
is also known as a pathogen which can cause disease.
it can also be a resident microorganism (permanent eg.
lives on skin),
or a transient microorganism: attaches by contact
WHAT IS A RESERVOIR
a source for pathogen growth (eg.human body, animals, food, water, insects, objects)
to thrive a pathogen needs appropriate oxygen, food, ph, water, temperature, and minimal light
WHAT IS PORTAL OF EXIT? SOME EXAMPLES?:
path by which pathogen leaves the reservoir.
eg, mouth, nose, rectum, urethra, breaks in skin, mucous membranes
WHAT IS MODE OF TRANSMISSION
multiple ways by which infectious disease may be transmitted (eg contact).
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONTACT?
direct: skin-skin, is physical
indirect: contact between contaminated object and susceptible host
droplet: large particles from respiratory system of an infected source
WHAT ARE SOME OTHER MODES OF TRANSMISSION BESIDES CONTACT?
Airborne: small airborne particles that contain microbes suspended in air for a long time
vehicle: single contaminated source that transmits to multiple people, which is an outbreak (water, food, IV fluids, equipment)
vectorborne: insects or pests (mice) that transmit microbes to humans
WHAT IS PORTAL OF ENTRY
route to enter the host. organisms can enter the body by the same route they use to exit
WHAT IS A HOST
WHETHER A PERSON ACQUIRES AN INFECTION IS RELATED TO THEIR SUSCEPTIBILITY TO AN INFECTIOUS AGENT
NAME THE TYPES OF INFECTIONS
localized: restricted to a limited area like a wound
systemic: infection affects the entire body
latrogenic or noscomial: hospital or healthcare aquired
exogenous: pathogen came from the environment (is acquired by contact with contaminated substance)
endogenous: infectious agent is already present in the body such as ones own bacteria/microflora
WHAT ARE SOME FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE SUSCEPTIBILITY TO A PATHOGEN
age, nutritional status, stress, disease process, medical therapy
WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES TO HELP CONTROL RESERVOIRS, TRANSMISSIONS, AND HOSTS
short nails
no artificial nails
simple band ring
hand hygiene
The nurse: uniform, shoes, hands jewelry
remove uniform and shoes
don’t touch hair, eyes, face, nose
adhere to isolation guidelines and precautions
be wary of cracked or chapped hands
wear masks, gowns, protective eyewear if in contact with fluids
EXPLAIN HAND HYGIENE, WHEN DO WE NOT USE ABHR’S AND INSTEAD USE SOAP AND WATER
ABHR’S contain 60-90% alcohol and are used to maintain hand hygiene. EXCEPT WHEN
- hands are visibly soiled
- during food prep
- following glove removal when providing care for patients with diarrhea or vomiting
WHAT ARE 4 MOMENTS FOR HAND HYEGINE
- before initial contact with the patient or patients environment
- before aseptic procedures
- after bodily fluid exposure
- after contact with the patient or patients environment
WHAT IS ASEPSIS
Absence of disease producing mechanisms
WHAT IS ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE
practices designed to render an area and objects as free from microorganisms as possible
WHAT IS MEDICAL ASEPSIS/CLEAN TECHNIQUE
procedures used to REDUCE and PREVENT the spread of microorganisms
WHAT IS SURGICAL ASEPSIS/STERILE TECHNIQUE
procedures used to ELIMINATE all microorganisms, including spores from an object or area
HOW DO WE CONTROL OR ELIMINATE INFECTIOUS AGENTS
1. CLEANING: physical removal of foreign material using water or mechanical action with detergents or enzymatic products
- Disinfection: elimination of all pathogens except bacterial spores. disinfectants are used on inanimate objects, antiseptics are used for tissues, it involves chemicals, heat, and UV light
- STERILIZATION: destruction of all microorganisms, including spores. Is done by using gas, steam under pressure, hydrogen peroxide plasma, and chemicals.
WHAT ARE SOME ROUTINE PRACTICES FOR PREVENTING INFECTION (TEIR 1)
**hand hygiene
gloves
masks
gowns (protects from splashing)
eye protection
face shield
EXPLAIN PARTS OF ISOLATION GUIDELINES (TEIR 2)
routine practices: apply when healthcare provider is or potentially may be exposed to blood, all body fluids, secretions (except sweat), non-intact skin, or mucous membranes
isolation precautions: designed to contain pathogens in one area (usually patients room). these precautions are followed in addition to routine practices
EXAMPLES OF ISOLATION PRECAUTIONS
CONTACT: for known infections that spread through direct or indirect contact
AIRBORNE: for infections causes by microbes transmitted by airborne droplets
DROPLET: for infections causes by microbes transmitted by droplets produced by coughing, sneezing, or talking
WHAT IS VIRULENCE
severity, or harmfulness of disease.
