Stages of Infection

Question 1

Stages of Infection

Answer 1

Begins when organism first enters the body and
lasts until the onset of symptoms; infection can
be transmitted during this stage

Question 2

Prodromal period

Answer 2

Short time from onset of vague symptoms to
the onset of specific disease symptoms; this
stage is highly infectious

Question 3

Illness period

Answer 3

Localized and systemic symptoms appear
Fever, headache, malaise, and disease-specific
symptoms (e.g., leukocytosis, rash, swelling,
wound drainage, diarrhea and vomiting) Severity and duration depend on virulence of
pathogen and person’s susceptibility

Question 4

Convalescent period

Answer 4

Begins when symptoms begin to subside and
continues until the person returns to normal

Question 5

Transmitted while receiving health care services Health care workers can also contract an HAI
⬤ Patients at greatest risk include those with:

Answer 5

Surgical incisions with or without drains
Artificial airways
Urinary catheters
Intravenous (IV) lines
Implanted prosthetic devices
Repeated injections or venipunctures
Immune compromise

Question 6

Uses medical and surgical asepsis, Standard
Precautions, and Transmission-Based
Precautions
⬤ Strict aseptic technique

Answer 6

Used in invasive diagnostic and therapeutic
procedures (IV catheters, urinary catheters,
surgical procedures)

⬤ Isolation used to prevent contact between
patient and others

Question 7

Infection prevention and control involves:

Answer 7

Monitoring diagnostic reports related to infection
Observing patients for signs of infection
Implementing procedures to contain
microorganisms
Properly handling, sterilizing, or disposing of
contaminated items
Using approved sanitation methods
Recognizing individuals at high risk for infection
and implementing appropriate protection

Question 8

Tier 1: Standard Precautions

Answer 8

Delineate methods for avoiding direct contact with
body secretions except sweat

Question 9

Tier 2: Transmission-Based Precautions

Answer 9

Interrupting mode of transmission by identifying
specific secretions that might be infective Transmission-Based Precautions used alone
or in combination but always in addition to
Standard Precautions

Question 10

Transmission-Based Precautions

Answer 10

Standard Precautions—for all patients
⬤ Airborne Precautions—measles, varicella, TB
(special mask)
⬤ Droplet Precautions—meningitis, pneumonia,
diphtheria
⬤ Contact Precautions—GI, skin, wound
infections, RSV, herpes simplex

Question 11

Personal Protective Equipment

Answer 11

Never touch with bare hands anything that
contains fluids from a body surface or cavity
⬤ Gloves are to be worn for contact with body
fluids of any sort, including:

Question 12

Assessment (data collection)

Answer 12

Assess for signs of infection that may require
Transmission-Based Precautions
Wounds should be assessed each shift for
infection
Monitor the patient’s temperature
Admission lab studies may indicate infection

Question 13

Problem Statement

Answer 13

Potential for infection, r/t surgical wound, open
wound, or weakened condition

Question 14

Planning

Answer 14

Expected outcomes would include “No health
care–associated infection is evident” When using Transmission-Based Precautions that
require putting on personal protective equipment,
the nurse must prepare before each entry into the
patient’s roomWhen using Transmission-Based Precautions that
require putting on personal protective equipment,
the nurse must prepare before each entry into the
patient’s room

Question 15

Implementation

Answer 15

Patient teaching is needed on disease process,
modes of transmission, and precautions to prevent
spread of infection
Standard Precautions used for each contact with
patient
Hand hygiene Most important in preventing infection transmission
* Before and after contact with patient, wound care, or
invasive procedure
* Before donning gloves and after removing them

Question 16

General Guidelines for Isolation
Precautions

Answer 16

Specimen preparation and
transportation—label specimen container
before entering room, collect specimen and
place it in a leakproof container without
contaminating the outside
⬤ Soiled linens—handle as little as possible; roll
up and place inside linen hamper inside
patient’s room

Question 17

Trash and biohazard waste—disposable.

Answer 17

soiled equipment should be placed in plastic
bags lining the waste receptacle; a biohazard
(red) bag may be needed

Question 18

⬤ Sharps—never recap a needle before

Answer 18

disposal; all sharps are dropped into sharps
containers, which are replaced when
two-thirds full

Question 19

Infection Prevention and
Control in the Home

Answer 19

⬤ Keep clothing and linens away from others
until washed
⬤ Teach patient and family proper hand hygiene
techniques
⬤ Disinfect bathroom with 1:10 bleach/water
solution
⬤ Wash dishes in scalding water and let air dry