NUR 118 - Lect. #1 Body Defense / Infect. Process

Question 1

NUR 118 - Define Infection

Answer 1

Invasion of pathogens in the body

Question 2

NUR 118 - What are Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs)?

Answer 2

Infections that patients contract in any healthcare setting

Question 3

NUR 118 - Define a nosocomial infection, and give examples

Answer 3

• Hospital acquired infection
• Ex: Urinary catheres; not removed or poorly managed

Question 4

NUR 118 - Name and define the six links in order

Answer 4

1) Infectious Agent - the source; pathogens
2) Reservoir - Where pathogens live and multiply
3) Portal of EXIT - How the pathogen “exits”; ex: Coughing, sneezing, IV lines
- skin to skin, skin to surface, blood
4) Mode of Transmission - Contact, direct (airborne, droplet contact), or indirect (w/ a fomite: contaminated equipment, vectors, water)
5) Portal of Entry - Normal body openings: Eyes, mouth, vagina, nose
Abnormal body openings: Wounds, scrapes, IVs, incisions
6) Susceptible Host - Person with inadequate defense; ex: elderly, young, immunocompromised

Question 5

NUR 118 - Factors that increase risk of infection

Answer 5

Age, stress, poor diet, immune deficiency disease (cancer), travel

Question 6

NUR 118 - Factors that decrease risk of infection

Answer 6

Proper nutrition, hygiene, rest & exercise

Question 7

NUR 118 - Name and define the stages of infection in order

Answer 7

• Incubation – Time of infection/entry
• Prodromal – Vague signs & symptoms
• Illness – Obvious signs & symptoms; can end in death if not treated
• (Pathogenic) Decline – Number of pathogens decline; signs & symptoms
• Convalescence – Tissue repair; return to health; # of microorganisms reach zero

Question 8

NUR 118 - Classifications of Infections - Location

Answer 8

Local – Occurs in a specific region of the body
- location determines signs & symptoms
Ex: skin, bladder, lung

Systemic – When pathogens invade the blood or lymph and spread through the body
- Starts as a local infection
Sepsis – Systemic infection spread via blood
–> Blood poisoning, tissue damage, shock, death

Question 9

NUR 118 - Classification of Infection by Duration

Answer 9

Acute - Rapid onset of short duration
Ex: common cold

Chronic: slow development, long duration
Ex: Osteomyelitis, abscess

Latent – Infection present with NO discernible symptoms
Ex: HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, shingles