Preventing Infection

Question 1

Infection is a

Answer 1

major safety and health hazard.

Question 2

microorganism (microbe)

Answer 2

a small living thing seen only with a microscope.

Question 3

Harmful microbes are called

Answer 3

Pathogens

Question 4

Bacteria

Answer 4

one-celled organisms that multiply rapidly.

Question 5

Fungi

Answer 5

plant-like organisms that live on other plants or animals

Question 6

Protozoa

Answer 6

one-celled animals.

Question 7

Rickettsiae

Answer 7

are found in fleas, lice, ticks, and other insects.

Question 8

Viruses

Answer 8

grow in living cells, require a host to survive

Question 9

Normal flora

Answer 9

microbes that live and grow in a certain area.
○They are non-pathogens when in or on a natural reservoir.
○When a non-pathogen is transmitted from its natural site to another site or host, it becomes a pathogen.

Question 10

Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs)

Answer 10

microbes that can resist the effects of antibiotics

Question 11

Two common types of MDROs

Answer 11

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE

Question 12

Infection

Answer 12

is a disease state that results from the invasion and growth of microbes in the body

Question 13

Healthcare-associated infection (HAI)

Answer 13

An HAI is an infection that develops in a person cared for in any setting where health care is given.

Question 14

Common sites for HAIs are:

Answer 14

○The urinary system
○The respiratory system
○Wounds
○The bloodstream

Question 15

Asepsis

Answer 15

is being free of disease-producing microbes.

Question 16

Medical asepsis (clean technique) is used to

Answer 16

○Remove or destroy pathogens.

○Prevent pathogens from spreading from one person or place to another person or place.

Question 17

:Surgical asepsis (sterile technique)

Answer 17

keeps items free of all microbes.

Question 18

Contamination

Answer 18

is the process of becoming unclean

Question 19

A sterile item or area is contaminated when…

Answer 19

pathogens or non-pathogens are present.

Question 20

Sterilizing is conducted through

Answer 20

.○Very high temperatures

Question 21

Disinfection is conducted through

Answer 21

Chemical disinfectants

Question 22

Non-intact skin

Answer 22

skin with open breaks

Question 23

Double-bagging is needed if

Answer 23

the outside of the bag is wet, soiled, or may be contaminated

Question 24

OPIM

Answer 24

Other potentially infectious materials, Also spread HIV and HBV

Question 25

Exposure Control Plan

Answer 25

The agency has an exposure control plan

Question 26

Agency Control Plan Includes

Answer 26

• It identifies staff at risk for exposure to blood or OPIM.
• The plan tells what to do for an exposure incident.
• Staff at risk receive free training upon employment and then yearly.
• Training is also done for new or changed tasks involving exposure to bloodborne pathogens

Question 27

Preventive measures to reduce the risk of exposure include:

Answer 27

• Hepatitis B vaccination
• Engineering and work practice controls
• Personal protective equipment (PPE)