standard precautions

Question 1

what is the chain of infection?

Answer 1

1. infectious agent.
2. reservoir ( site/ source of microorganism growth)
3. portal of exit
4. transmission
5. portal of entry
6. host (patient)

Question 2

Describe the practices to break the chain of infection: Infectious agent.

Answer 2

Clean, disinfect, sterilise contaminated objects.

Question 3

Describe the practices to break the chain of infection: reservoir (site/source of microorganism growth)

Answer 3

• control sources of body fluids and drainage
• perform hand hygiene
• bathe patient w soap n water
• change soiled dressings
• dispose soiled tissues, dressings, linen in moisture-resistant bags
• keep syringes, uncapped needles, and intravenous needles in designated puncture-proof containers
• keep table surfaces clean and dry
• do not leave bottled solutions open for prolonged periods
• keep surgical wound drainage tubes and collection bags patent
• empty and dispose of drainage suction bottles acc to agency policy

Question 4

Describe the practices to break the chain of infection: portal of exit

Answer 4

Respiratory Tract Infection (RTI):
- avoid talking, sneezing, or coughing directly over wound or sterile dressings field
- cover nose n mouth when sneezing n coughing
- wear mask if suffering from RTI
Urine, faeces, vomitus, and blood
- don on clean gloves when handling blood n body fluids
- wear gowns and protective eyewear if there is a chance of splashing fluids
- handle all laboratory specimens as if infectious

Question 5

Describe the practices to break the chain of infection: transmission

Answer 5

Reduce microorganism spread
- perform hand hygiene
- use a personal set of care items for each patient
- avoid dusting bed linen or clothes, dust with damp cloth
- avoid contact of soiled item with uniform
- discard any item that touches the floor
- follow stand precautions or select transmission-based isolation precautions

Question 6

Describe the practices to break the chain of infection: portal of entry

Answer 6

Skin and mucosa:
- maintain skin and mucous membranes integrity; lubricate skin, other frequent hygiene, turning and positioning.
- cover wounds as needed
- clean wound sites thoroughly
- dispose of used needles immediately in puncture-proof container
Urinary drainage systems
- keep all drainage systems closed and intact, maintaining downward flow

Question 7

Describe the practices to break the chain of infection: host

Answer 7

Reduce susceptibility to infection
Provide adequate nutrition
Ensure adequate rest
Promote body defences against infection
Provide immunization

Question 8

what are the 5 moments of hand hygiene?

Answer 8

2 before, 3 after:
1. BEFORE touching the patient -> protect patient against harmful germs carried on my hands
2. BEFORE clean/aseptic
procedure -> protect patients from harmful germs, including the patient’s own, from entering his/her body
3. AFTER body fluid exposure risk -> protect healthcare workers and environment from harmful patient germs
4. AFTER touching patient -> protect healthcare workers and environment from patient germs
5. AFTER touching the patient’s surroundings -> protect healthcare workers and environment from patient germs

Question 9

Airborne-based transmission precautions + barrier protections

Answer 9

Conditions:
Coronavirus, SARS, Measles, chickenpox, disseminated varicella zoster, pulmonary or laryngeal tuberculosis
Protections:
Private room, negative-pressure airflow of at least 6-12 exchanges/hr via HEPA filtration; mask or respiratory protection device, N95 respirator required.

Question 10

Droplet-based transmission precautions + barrier protections

Answer 10

Conditions:
Diphtheria (pharyngeal), rubella, streptococcal pharyngitis, pneumonia or scarlet fever in infants and young children, pertussis, mumps, Mycoplasma pneumonia, pneumonic plague
Protections:
Private room or cohort patients; mask or respirator required (see hospital policy)

Question 11

Contact-based precautions + barrier protections

Answer 11

Conditions:
Colonisation or infection with multidrug-resistant organisms such as VRE (vancomycin-resistant enterococci) and MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), Clostridium difficile, Shigella, other enteric pathogens; major wound infections; herpes simplex, scabies.
Protections:
Private room or cohort patients (see hospital policy), gloves, gowns

Question 12

Protective environment precautions + barrier protections

Answer 12

Conditions:
organ transplant recipient, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant
Protections:
Private room; positive airflow with 12 or more air exchanges/ hr; HEPA filtration for incoming air; mask to be worn by patient when out of room during times of construction in area

Question 13

qWhen to wear PPE (personal protective equipment)

Answer 13

When the interaction with the patient indicates that contact w body fluids or blood may occur.

Question 14

What colour is the bio-hazard bag and what can I throw inside it?

Answer 14

Colour: yellow
What to throw:
- anything soiled/ contaminated w body fluids (gauze, used needles/ syringes)
- partially filled glass vials of hazardous drugs

Question 15

What colour is the general waste bin/bag and what can I throw inside it?

Answer 15

Colour: black
What to throw:
- empty antibiotics or vaccines vials
- general food, water, pharmaceutics (vitamin tablets, creams, ointments etc.)

Question 16

What is a needle-stick injury and what do I do if I get one?

Answer 16

A needle-stick injury occurs when uncapping/ unscrewing needles. To avoid needle-stick injuries, use the same hand to uncap needles, and use a scooping action + press down to cap it back for better disposal.
What should I do if I get a needle-stick injury?
- wash needle-stick and cuts with soap and water
- flush splashes to the nose, mouth or skin with water
- irrigate eyes with clean water, saline, or sterile irrigants
- report the incident to your supervisor
- seek medical treatment immediately