Nurse Notes Flashcards
clean gloves vs sterile gloves
Clean gloves - standard precautions
Sterile gloves-gets rid of microorganisms and spores that contaminate
chain of infection
infectious agent: pathogen
reservoir: source for pathogen growth
portal of exit: from the reservoir
mode of transmission: can be inanimate object or something living on hand/part of body
portal of entry: to a host
host
(all in one circle)
what is a reservoir?
-a place where microorganisms survive, multiply, and await transfer to a susceptible host
-Microorganisms require nourishment
-most organisms require water or moisture for survival
-can only live in certain temperature ranges
-thrive in dark environments
-pH
-food, water, oxygen, temperature, pH , light
portal of exit
After microorganisms find a site to grow and multiply, they need to find a portal of exit if they are to enter another host and cause disease. Portals of exit include sites such as blood, skin and mucous membranes, respiratory tract, genitourinary (GU) tract, gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and transplacental (mother to fetus)
modes of transmission
Contact
Direct
Indirect
Droplet
Airborne
Vehicles
Vector
modes of transmission: direct vs indirect
Direct: Person-to-person (fecal, oral) physical contact between source and susceptible host. A health care provider’s hands become contaminated by touching germs present on a patient, medical equipment, or high-touch surfaces, and the health care worker then carries the germs on his or her hands and spreads to a susceptible person.
Indirect : Personal contact of susceptible host with contaminated inanimate object (e.g., needles or sharp objects, soiled linen, dressings, environment)
droplet. vs airborne: mode of transmission
Droplet: An infected person coughs or sneezes, creating droplets that carry germs short distances (within approximately 6 feet). These germs can land on a susceptible person’s eyes, nose, or mouth and can cause infection (e.g., pertussis or meningitis).
Airborne: Organisms are carried in droplet nuclei or residue or evaporated droplets suspended in air during coughing or sneezing. Germs are aerosolized by medical equipment or by dust from a construction zone (e.g., nontuberculous mycobacteria or Aspergillus).
vehicles vs vector: mode of transmission
Vehicles: Contaminated items. For example, sharp injuries can lead to infections (e.g., HIV, HBV, HCV) when bloodborne pathogens enter a person through a skin puncture by a used needle or sharp instrument.
* Water
* Drugs, solutions
* Blood
* Food (improperly handled, stored, or cooked; fresh or thawed meats)
Vector: External mechanical transfer (flies). Internal transmission such as parasitic conditions between vector and host such as:
* Mosquito
* Louse
* Flea
* Tick
portal of entry
Organisms enter the body through the same routes they use for exiting. For example, during venipuncture when a needle pierces a patient’s skin, organisms enter the body if proper skin preparation is not performed first. Factors such as a depressed immune system that reduce body defenses enhance the chances of pathogens entering the body.
susceptible host
Susceptibility to an infectious agent depends on an individual’s degree of resistance to pathogens. Although everyone is constantly in contact with large numbers of microorganisms, an infection does not develop until an individual becomes susceptible to the strength and numbers of the microorganisms.
course of infection by stage
incubation period: appearance of first symptoms, 1 to 2 days for common cold
prodromal stage: more specific symptoms, tingling of herpes before lesions appear
illness stage: signs and symptoms to a type of infection
convalescence: symptoms start to disappear
local vs systemic infection
localized: pain, tenderness, warmth and redness at the wound site
systemic: infection that affects the entire body instead of a single organ and can become fatal if undetected or untreated
natural defense mechanisms
skin: intact multilayered surface, shedding of outer layer of skin cells, sebum
mouth: intact multilayered mucosa, saliva
eyes: tearing and blinking
Respiratory tracts: cilia lining upper airway, coated by mucus
urinary tract: flushing action of urine flow, intact multilayered epithelium
gastrointestinal tract: acidity. of gastric secretions, rapid contraction and release in small intestine
vagina: normal flora, low pH
why do older adults have a higher risk for infection?
Older adults are less capable of producing lymphocytes to combat challenges to the immune system. When antibodies are produced, the duration of their response is shorter, and fewer cells are produced
-ALL PATIENTS BEING ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL ARE CONSIDERED…
-when should skin assessment be completed?
-ALL PATIENTS BEING ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL ARE CONSIDERED A FALL RISK UNTIL EVALUATED.
SKIN ASSESSMENT MUST BE COMPLETED WITHIN 4-24 HOURS; ANY PRESSURE INJURY THAT IS NOT DOCUMENTED/ACKNOWLEDGED ON ADMISSION (WITHIN 24 HOURS) IS DEEMED THE RESPONSIBILITY/FAULT OF THE HOSPITAL`
