Week 1 Flashcards
What does HAI stand for?
Healthcare-Associated Infection
What is an HAI?
An infection that is developed while in a healthcare setting
What does it mean for an HAI to be exogenous?
The infection comes from the environment or from personnel
What does it mean for a HAI to be endogenous?
The infection comes from the patient
What are the 6 most common HAIs?
-Catheter-associated UTIs (CAUTI)
-Surgical Site Infections (SSI)
-Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)
-Central Line-Associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI)
-Clostridium difficile disease (C-diff)
-Multi-drug Resistant Organisms (MDRO)
Who writes the annual National Patient Safety Goals? What are there purpose?
The Joint Commission; sets goals that promote specific patient safety improvements
Name each link in the chain of Infection
-Organism
-Reservoir
-Portal of Exit
-Transmission
-Portal of Entry
-Susceptible Host
What does the Organism link in the chain of infection entail?
The organism that is now become infectious; can include pathogens or normal flora that develop into something pathogenic
What does the portal of exit link in the chain of infection entail? Name some examples.
How the pathogen leaves the infected persons body. Can include methods such as; bodily fluids, coughing, sneezing, diarrhea, seeping wounds, IV lines and tubing.
What does the Mode of transmission link in the chain of infection entail? What modes exist?
The mode of transmission is how the pathogens can transfer between people and objects. Examples; Contact, Droplet, and Airborne.
How can I get infected through direct and indirect contact of an infected patient?
Direct contact; Touching, kissing or any sexual contact
Indirect contact; contact with fomites (objects that are likely to carry infectious pathogens)
Give some examples of a fomite
Clothes, utensils, furniture etc.
How can I get infected through droplets as a mode of transmission?
You can be infected though things like coughing or sneezing.
How can I be infected through the airborne mode of transmission
Airborne contamination can occur through air conditioning or sweeping
What does the Portal of entry link in the chain of infection entail? Name some examples
How infectious pathogens can enter the body of someone. Some examples include; eyes, mouth, nose, cuts, scrapes, the vagina, open wounds and surgical sites, IV and drainage tubes, or a bite from a vector (an organisms that transmits a disease ex. Insect or tick)
What does the Susceptible host link in the chain of infection entail?
A susceptible host is someone who has an inadequate defense against a pathogen.
What 4 factors affect someone’s susceptibility?
-Virulence (the severity of the disease)
-Organisms ability to survive the host environment
-Number of organisms or pathogens involved
-Strength of the hosts defenses (Ex. Immune system)
What are the 5 stages of infection?
-Incubation
-Prodromal
-Illness
-Decline
-Convalescence
What is the definition of the incubation stage of an infection?
Starts at the point when the person becomes infected to the period of being symptomatic
(Can infect others at this stage)
What is the definition of the Prodromal stage of an infection
Once an infection starts to show ‘vague’ symptoms
Not all disease have this stage
What is the definition of the Illness stage of an infection
Once there are clear signs and symptoms of an infection
What is the definition of the Decline stage of an infection
Once the number of pathogens present start to decline
What is the definition of the convalescence stage of an infection
Period of tissue repair, end of infection and return to health
What are the two types of infections biased on location? Define each
-Local; present in a specific region of the body.
-Systemic; affects multiple regions of the body
How can systemic infections be spread?
Systemic infections can be spread via the blood or lymph nodes
What are the three types of infections based on their duration?
-Acute
-Chronic
-Latent
What is the definition of an acute infection?
A infection that was a rapid onset but only lasts for a short duration
What’s the definition of a chronic infection?
An infection that has a slow onset and lasts for a long time
What’s the definition of a latent infection
An infection that is present without any visible symptoms
How can we help prevent infections?
-Teach about the importance of hand hygiene
-Observe infection control precautions
What are the main 5 ways to ensure good antibiotic use?
-be knowledgeable about Antibiotic resistance
-never self initiate antibiotics
-Don’t take antibiotics when there’s a low chance of infection
- always take the full prescribed amount of antibiotics
-inform the doctor if they have no effect
What are the standard precautions to take with a patient?
-Good hand hygiene
-Wear gloves when needed
-Use PPE when needed
-Properly store and manage sharps, linen and other equipment
-always follow cleaning and disinfectant procedures
What’s the difference between tier 1 and tier 2 precautions?
Who created these precautions?
Tier 1; used for all patients regardless of diagnoses, to prevent pathogen transfer between healthcare workers and patients
Tier 2; precautions taken based on the transmission ability of the pathogen
- The CDC
What are the 3 transmission based precautions?
-Contact
-Droplet
-Airborne
What is the purpose of a protective isolation practice?
To help protect and prevent infection in any immune-compromised patients
When is it appropriate to use contact precautions?
-Pathogen is spread via contact
-Patient being colonized with MDRO
-Excessive wound drainage
-Patient Incontinence
What PPE do you wear when on contact precautions?
-Gloves and Gown always
-Possible face PPE (mask and shield)
-Dedicated equipment for patient
-Only essential transport
When is it appropriate to take droplet precautions?
When the infectious pathogen is spread via large particle droplets
What PPE is required for Droplet precautions?
-Surgical masks
-Private room if possible
-patient to wear mask if in transport
When is it appropriate for a patient to be on airborne precautions?
When the infection can spread through the air and over long distance
What PPE is required when a patient is on airborne precautions?
-N95 respirator masks
-Door to remained closed at all times
-Preferably a negative airflow room used
Why and how would we implement isolation/neutropenia precautions?
-Used when there is high susceptibility to an infection
-use of private room, good hand hygiene, visitors restricted, no plants, flowers, standing water, no fresh fruit, raw milk products, raw honey, processed meats, or mold foods (ex blue cheese)
How can we prevent the psychological affects of isolation?
-Spend time with patient
-Answer questions
-Encourage objects of comfort
-Encourage activities
-Observe for mood changes
What’s the differences between primary and secondary infection?
- Primary infection is an infection that occurs first, this infection then may weaken the immune system allowing other pathogens to be able to infect the patient
- Secondary infection is an opportunistic infection that is contracted after a primary infection weakens a persons immune system
How are MDRO’s dangerous to the public?
- MDROs pose a large threat to public health due to their resistance to drugs, meaning that they become more difficult to treat.
- This can lead to a large increase and demand for hospitalization resources, and more serious illnesses and higher rates of mortality.
How can nurses help decrease the development of MDROs?
- The patient is taught about the importance of taking antibiotics as they’re prescribed and for the full duration of the prescriptions, not to share antibiotics, and to contact the provider if symptoms are not alleviated within a few days of taking the medication.
What was the NSPG’s 2023 goal to reduce the number of HAI’s?
-Educating and increasing the number of people that participate in proper hand hygiene
What’s an asymptomatic infection?
-An infection that will have no symptoms
What’s a symptomatic infection?
-An infection that does show symptoms
What does AIDS stand for?
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
What’s a window period?
The period between the development of an infection and when a screening test will detect evidence of the infection
