Unit 2 Lesson 3: Defending Against Infection Flashcards
The Body’s Lines of Defense: Secondary Defenses
Pathogens that get past the primary defenses of the body activate secondary defenses. Specialized white blood cells called phagocytes engulf and destroy pathogens. Blood proteins attack and rupture the cell membranes of pathogens. Inflammation dilates the blood vessels, bringing more phagocytes, antimicrobial chemicals, and oxygen to the area. Fever increases the body temperature and triggers other immune processes.
The Body’s Lines of Defense: Primary Defenses
Anatomical features that limit the entry of pathogens. These include the skin, the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract that trap pathogens, the tears of the eyes that help wash pathogens out, saliva in the mouth to wash away pathogens, the acidic environment in the stomach that kills most organisms that reach it, and the mucous membranes of the genitourinary tract.
The Body’s Lines of Defense: Tertiary Defenses
The third level of defense occurs when the immune system is activated and produces antibodies that neutralize or destroy pathogenic organisms. The body recognizes harmful invaders and triggers certain cells to fight and kill the microorganisms.
Why are young childeren more susceptible to infections
Young children are more susceptible to infections because their immune systems are immature and have not been exposed to many pathogens which help the immune system develop defenses
Usage of Immunizations
Immunizations are a way to bolster immunity to certain diseases and are especially recommended for children and the elderly or others who are more vulnerable to infection.
Why are adults susceptible to infections
. In older adults, the skin becomes more prone to breakdown, making them more susceptible to disease.
What are reasons in genreal for infection
ther reasons the body defenses may be less effective include breaks in the skin, recovery from illness or injury, tobacco use, substance abuse, chronic disease, medications that reduce the immune response, and environmental exposure to pathogens.
medical asepsis
ractices used to reduce the number of microorganisms and prevent the spread of disease.
Examples of medical asepsis in everday life
When you wash your hands before you handle food, you are using a procedure designed to reduce the spread of pathogens. Washing your cooking utensils in hot, soapy water is another example of “clean technique,” or medical asepsis.
What does the word asepsis mean
. The word asepsis means the absence of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms.
In a healthcare setting, what are examples of medical asepsis
includes hand hygiene, cleaning the environment, standard precautions, and protective isolation
protective isolation
a range of practices used to protect highly susceptible patients from infection.
What happens in protective isolation
For protective isolation, placement of patients with weakened immunity in private rooms with proper ventilation may be required.
What does cleaning in a mdeical setting involve
Cleaning the environment in a medical setting involves cleaning all surfaces of a patient room and any equipment or supplies brought into the room. Any object can become contaminated if it comes into contact with something that may contain pathogens. Areas that should be considered contaminated include the floor, sinks, commodes, bedpans, and soiled dressings or used tissues.
There are very specific definitions of the levels of cleaning required in a medical setting. What is clenaing
Cleaning is removing any visible soil from surfaces or objects.
What is the goal of clenaing clenaing
Keeping all public and patient areas clean and free from dust and contamination is accomplished through cleaning with water and special detergents that inhibit microbial growth
There are very specific definitions of the levels of cleaning required in a medical setting. Disinfection
. Disinfection is the process of eliminating most or all pathogens using physical or chemical processes, including steam, gas, chemicals, and ultraviolet light.
What is the goal of disinfection
Disinfection reduces the population of microorganisms, but it doesn’t ensure that all pathogens are gone.
When is disinfection used
. Disinfection is used on items that come into contact with intact skin and some items that may contact mucous membranes.
There are very specific definitions of the levels of cleaning required in a medical setting. Sterilization
Sterilization is a process that eliminates, removes, or kills all microbial life on an object or surface.
How does sterilization happen
Hospitals commonly use moist heat, gases, or dry heat to perform sterilization.
When is Sterilization used
Sterilization is used on items that pose a high risk of infection if they are contaminated, especially those that enter sterile tissues of the body.
Surgical asepsis
Surgical asepsis is the use of sterile techniques to maintain sterile conditions in a surgical environment.
The number one thing that anyone in a medical setting can do to save lives is to wash their hands:
properly and at the right times
Why should on not touch there face
o keep yourself from getting sick, you also need to be in the habit of not touching your face. Even if you pick up some extra microorganisms on your hands, they likely can’t make it past the defense of your skin unless you touch your nose, mouth, or eye, where there are some good ports of entry. If you do touch your face, you should then wash your hands before coming into contact with another person—a patient if you are working in healthcare.
