Unit 2-Lesson 2 Infection Control and Medical Asepsis Flashcards
What is flora? What are some examples of flora in the body?
The body normally contains microbial flora that reside on the skin, in the mouth, and in the gastrointestinal tract. Flora reside on the skin’s surface as well as deep within the epithelial skin structures. Another rich source of flora is the saliva and oral mucosa. Normal flora do not cause disease but instead participate in maintaining a person’s health.
How do normal flora participate in the maintenance of a person’s health?
The flora of the large intestine exist in large numbers without causing injury. These bacterial flora compete with disease-producing microorganisms for food. Flora also secrete antibacterial substances within the intestine’s walls. The skin’s flora exert a decontaminative action by inhibiting the multiplication of organisms landing on the skin. The mouth and pharynx are also protected by flora that impair the growth of invading microbes.
List the normal body defences which protect against infection.
- Skin - intact multilayered, shedding.
- Mouth - intact tissue, saliva.
- Respiratory Tract - cilia hairs, mucous blanket.
- Urinary Tract - Flushing Action of urine.
- Gastrointestinal Tract - Acidity of secretions, Peristalsis in intestines.
Give an example of a defence which can become impaired, and the effect on the body.
The lungs cannot completely control the entrance of microorganisms. The tar in cigarette smoke sticks to cilia, preventing them from beating effectively, leading to increased respiratory infections in smokers.
Explain how signs of inflammation can also be the signs of a localized infection.
The signs of inflammation are also the signs of a localized infection: redness, localized warmth, swelling, pain or tenderness, and loss of function in the affected body part. Systemic inflammation can lead to fever, leukocytosis, malaise, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and lymph node enlargement.
What causes the symptoms of inflammation?
Acute inflammation is an immediate response to cellular injury. Arterioles supplying the infected area dilate, allowing more blood into local circulation, causing redness and warmth. Fluid and cells accumulate to form exudates at the site, leading to localized swelling.
How does a fever result from inflammation? What is the body hoping to accomplish?
Fever results from the release of pyrogens that increase the body’s thermostat setting, leading to greater heat production. The body aims to increase white blood cells at the inflamed site to attack foreign material.
How is a localized infection usually treated?
Localized infections can be treated with antibiotic therapy and proper wound care to control the infection’s spread and minimize the patient’s illness.
Can a localized infection become fatal?
Yes, while localized infections may present with symptoms like pain and swelling, a systemic infection can be fatal due to endotoxins causing circulatory failure and organ failure.
What is a nosocomial infection?
Nosocomial infections are those resulting from the delivery of health services in a healthcare facility, such as hepatitis from a contaminated needle.
What does ‘asepsis’ mean?
Medical asepsis or clean technique includes procedures used to reduce the number of microorganisms and prevent their spread from one place or person to another.
What is the difference between medical and surgical asepsis?
Surgical asepsis or sterile technique eliminates ALL microorganisms, while medical asepsis reduces the number of microorganisms.
When are objects considered contaminated in medical asepsis?
An object is considered contaminated if it contains or is suspected of containing pathogens, such as a used bedpan or wet gauze.
What is the difference between disinfection and sterilization? How are each accomplished?
Sterilization destroys all microorganisms and their spores, while disinfection destroys most pathogenic organisms except spores. Disinfection can be achieved by boiling water.
Would a health care provider use a disinfectant or antiseptic on the skin?
Antiseptics can be safely applied to the skin or mucosal surfaces and inhibit bacterial growth.
What are some signs/symptoms of local infections?
Localized infections can present with redness, swelling, drainage, pain, and tenderness around the site.
What are some signs/symptoms of systemic infections?
Systemic infections cause generalized symptoms such as fever, fatigue, malaise, enlarged lymph nodes, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting.
What is the health care worker’s role in treating a patient with infection?
The health care worker’s role includes preventing the onset and spread of infection and promoting measures for the treatment of infection.
When cleaning objects, why is it important to wash the object in cold water first, followed by hot water?
Cold water removes organic material without coagulating proteins, which hot water can do, making removal difficult.
How do disinfection and sterilization work?
Both act to disrupt internal functioning of microorganisms by destroying cell proteins, achieved through sufficient heat or specific chemical concentrations.
Why must wet or soiled bandages be changed?
Wet or soiled bandages create a dark, moist environment ideal for microorganism breeding.
Why must wounds drain properly?
Proper drainage prevents the accumulation of serous fluid, which can become a reservoir for microorganisms.
Outline how suction and drainage bottles can make patients ill.
Suction and drainage bottles can become reservoirs for infection if not emptied and rinsed regularly, and drainage systems should never be raised above the site being drained.
Outline how health care workers can prevent spreading their own germs to patients.
Workers should avoid talking over patients, cover their mouth/nose when sneezing, wear masks if sick, and handle exudates with care.
Outline when health care workers should wash their hands.
Healthcare workers should wash their hands constantly during interactions with patients, especially before, during, and after care.
Why should healthcare workers also promote a patient’s own defense mechanisms?
Protecting existing body defense mechanisms is crucial for maintaining a patient’s resistance to infection.
