Safety in Health Care Settings (Final) Flashcards
What is the normal flora?
microorganisms that live in particular parts of our body and is normal
What could happen if normal flora is transferred to a different part of our body?
could cause harm
Which are the most common microorganisms?
bacteria, viruses and fungi
Define pathogens
microorganisms that cause disease
Define infection
microorganisms that cause disease in humans
In what conditions do pathogens live best?
- body temperature
- in the dark
- moist places
- where there is a food supply
- rich oxygen supply=aerobes
- no oxygen supply=anaerobes
What is becoming dangerous for immunocompromised patients?
- bacteria that change their cellular composition to protect themselves from antibiotics
- called multi-resistant organisms
How does the chain of infection work?
When an infection is transmitted from one infected host to another susceptible host and becomes a source of pathogens, then past on again.
Identify the cycle of the chain of infection.
Pathogen, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, susceptible host, pathogen
Name the most common portals of entry into the human body.
- respiratory tract
- gastrointestinal tract
- genitourinary tract
- circulatory tract
- cuts and breaks in skin
- from mother to unborn child
Name the most common portals of exit from the human body.
- urine
- feces
- respiratory excretions
- draining wounds
- blood
- excretions
- saliva
- tears
What are the modes of transmission?
- direct contact
- indirect contact (intermediate object)
- droplet / airborne(sneezing or coughing)
- common vehicle (single contaminated source like food, medication or equipment)
- vectorborne (transmission by insects or animals)
What increases a patient’s susceptibility to becoming a host for pathogens?
- age
- poor nutrition
- stress
- lack of sleep
- medical treatments
- contact with others
- open wounds
Define nosocomial infection
an infection that an individual acquires after admission to a health care facility
What defenses does the body have to fight infection?
- skin (MOST IMPORTANT)
- mucous membranes
- cilia
- coughing and sneezing
- tears
- stomach acid
- fever
- inflammatory response
- immune response
Identify the signs and symptoms observed when an infection develops.
- fever
- pain
- fatigue
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- rash
- swelling
It is imperative to prevent infection from spreading from:
- the patient to the health care provider
- the health care provider to the patient
- patient to patient
Define clean
- least capable of preventing spread of infection
- physically removes dirt, debris, and sometimes germs with the help of soap and water
- does not kill the pathogens
- only lowers the pathogen count
Define disinfection
- second best method of preventing spread of infection
- physically removes with the help of chemicals (alcohols or chlorines)
- kills a high percentage of pathogens present on an object, stopping them from reproducing, but does not kill spores
- does not mean that it cleans a surface with dirt or debris
Define sterilization
- best method of preventing spread of infection
- kills ALL living organisms, even spores -goal is to achieve asepsis where all pathogens are absent
- achieved by heat, high pressure, filtration, radiation, or chemicals
Define asepsis
-living pathogens are absent
Define medical asepsis / clean technique
-performance of cleanliness procedures to destroy or limit the spread of harmful microorganisms by destroying chain of infection
True or false. It id possible to remove all microorganisms from the body or environment.
False
List common aseptic measures.
Wash your hands :
- after bathroom
- after contact with blood or body fluids
- before and after giving care
- visibly soiled hands
- touching objects that are contaminated
- before and after preparing food
- before and after wearing disposable gloves
- before and after feeding a client