Promoting Asepsis and Infection Control - Nursing Fun Ch 20 Flashcards
What are the secondary defenses?
Phagocytosis
The complement cascade
Inflammation
Fever
If you must use non-disposable equipment in transmission-based isolation…
- Disinfect the equipment upon removal from the room.
- When removing equipment or linens from the room place them in special isolation bags. This requires two workers, the worker in the rooms handles contaminated items and the worker outside the room holds the isolation bag open.
What is a latent infection
an infection that causes no symptoms for long periods of time (HPV, HIV)
What is a vector?
an organism that carries a pathogen to a susceptible host
What is the procedure for preparing and maintaining a sterile field?
- Check to ensure that all supplies are ready for the procedure
- Clear the area for the sterile field
- Position the patient appropriately for the procedure
- Establish the sterile field with a sterile drape or package wrapper
- Add items to the sterile field by gently dropping them onto the sterile field (6in above)
- Pour sterile solutions into a sterile bowl or receptacle without touching the bowl or splashing onto the sterile field
- Don sterile gloves, and perform the procedure
What are the laboratory data indicating infection?
- Elevated WBC count (>10,000 mm3)
- Increases in specific types of WBCs
- Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate
- Presence of pathogen in urine, blood, sputum or draining cultures
If you must use non-disposable equipment in protective isolation…
- Be sure the equipment has been disinfected before it is taken into the room.
- Take linen and dishes directly to the room and hand them to someone wearing the required PPE
What are the links in chain of infection?
Infectious Agent Reservoir Portal of exit Mode of transmission Portal of entry Susceptible host
What are the airborne precautions and when are they used?
Used when the pathogen can spread via air currents
- Follow standard precautions
- Follow all contact precautions
- Place patient in private room or with patient with same infection and no others
- Make sure the room has negative pressure and discharged through a filtration system
- Wear a clean gown and gloves when you anticipate contact with patient or any items in the room
- Wear a special mask (N95 respirator) if the patient is suspected to have TB
- If the patient is known or suspected to have measles or varicella, only immune caregivers should provide care and they do not need to wear masks.
What do Helper T cells do?
help regulate the action of B cells in humoral immune responses and of killer T cells in cell-mediated responses
What should the nurse do the support the psychological needs of a patient in isolation?
- When wearing PPE, touch the patient
- Organize time you have in the room to include discussion about how the client is coping with the isolation
- If the patient is in droplet isolation remember that the danger area is only 3 feet. You can talk to the patient without a mask beyond this point.
What do Cytotoxic T cells (killer T cells) do?
directly attack and kill body cells infected with pathogens
If there is a potential for contact with bacterial spores you must wash with
soap and water
alcohol-based solutions are ineffective against spores
What is the function of Lymphocytes?
T-cells - (Thymus)
cell-mediated immunity
recognize, attack, and destroy antigens
B-cells - (red bone marrow)
humoral immunity
produce immunoglobulins to attack and destroy
antigens
What do Suppressor T cells do?
stop the immune response when the infection has been contained
An endogenous nosocomial infection is
where the pathogen arises from the patients normal flora and some form of treatment
Describe the convalescence stage
characterized by tissue repair and a return to health as the number of microorganisms near zero.
may require anywhere from one day to a year or more
Describe the prodromal stage
characterized by the first appearance of vague symptomsstage not always present
What are the common portals of exit?
Respiratory Gastrointestinal Genitourinary tracts Breaks in skin Blood and tissue
Describe the illness stage
marked by the appearance of signs and symptoms characteristic of the diseaseMay result in death
What are the droplet precautions and when are they used?
Used when the pathogen can spread via moist droplets (e.g., sneezing, coughing, talking)
- Follow standard precautions
- Follow all contact precautions
- Wear a mask and eye protections when working within 3 feet of the patient
What is an acute infection
a rapid onset but short lasting infection
What is the function of Basophils?
Release histamine and heparin granules as part of the inflammatory response
What questions should be asked when obtaining a nursing history?
-Any symptoms of illness
-Any known exposure to pathogens at
work, recent travel, contact with ill, unprotected sex
-Any unusual foods/products ingested
-Past and present disease or injuries
-Medications, over-the-counter preparations, herbal products, alcohol intake, or other substances
-Current level of stress
-Immunization history
What is IgD?
An immunoglobulin antibody on B cells that attach to potential pathogens to prevent replication of the disease
What are the contact precautions and when are they used?
Used when direct contact can lead to spread of the pathogen
- Follow all standard precautions
- Place the patient in a private room or with a patient with the same infection
- Wear a clean gown and gloves when you anticipate any contact with the patient or with any contaminated items in the room
- Either dispose of all items entering the room within the room, or disinfect them per institution policy prior to removing them from the room.
- Double bag all linen and trash, and clearly mark as contaminated
- Follow any additional precautions specific to the microorganism
What are possible infectious agents?
pathogens
bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and
prions
normal flora
may become pathogenic when entered into the
body
What is the procedure for Donning Sterile gown and gloves?
- Grasp the gown at the neckline and slide your arms into the sleeves without extending your hands through the cuffs
- Have a co-worker pull the shoulders of the gown up and tie the neck tie
- Don gloves using the closed method by keeping your hands covered at all times, first with the gown cuffs, and then with sterile gloves
- Secure the waist tie on your won by handing it to a co-worker
- Keep your hands within your field of vision at all times
What factors increase the risk for infection?
Developmental age (young children and elderly) Breaks in the primary defense Illness or injury Smoking Substance abuse Multiple sexual partners Environmental factors Chronic disease Medications Nursing and medical procedures
What are the stages of infection?
Incubation Prodromal stage Illness Decline Convalescence