Module 6: Principles of Asepsis

Study Guide/ Nurse Careers

Name at least four infectious agents (microbes) and four disease that  they may cause 

• Bacteria- E coli (Urinary tract infections)

• Viruses- Influenza ( fever, chills)

• Fungi- Tinea pedis ( athlete foot) 

• insects ( Rickettsia)- Scabies ( skin rash) 

Two antibiotic resistant bacteria

• MRSA

• VRE

What are the conditions necessary for infectious agents to grow?

• Food source 

• moisture 

• oxygen 

• lack of oxygen 

• warmth 

• darkness 

List the six parts of the chain of infection give an example of each

• Causative agent - bacteria, fungi

• Reservoir- resident, healthcare

• Portal of exit - wound drainage, blood

• Method of transmission- airborne, droplet

• portal of entry- respiratory tract, urinary tract

• Susceptible host - resident, health care workers, family, visitor

Identify four ways our body defends itself against infection

• Norrmal flora

• Mucus membranes

• Immune system

• skin

What are at least four signs and symptoms of infection

• Pain 

• Redness/ tenderness 

• Swelling 

• Warm to the touch

• yellow/ green pus/ drainage from wound 

Medical asepsis/ clean technique

a process of destroying pathogens utilizing soap/water or disinfection

Surgical / sterile asepsis

using barriers to prevent transmission of infectious agents ( have been destroyed)

Explain what are Standard precautions

is treating all body fluids/patient as if they are infectious

What are at least five methods to prevent contamination

• Hand washing 

• Using PPE 

• Disinfecting surface & area

• disposal of waste in a proper way 

• following aseptic techniques 

Explain what are transmission-based precautions

are set of guidelines for health care workers dealing with highly infectious disease, to be used in addition to the standard precautions 

What is airborne precaution ?

Are guidelines/ germs that are light enough to float on air currents and they spread long distances. 

What unique personal protection equipment (PPE) is needed?

N95 mask/ only healthcare workers that has been fitted can care for the resident that has a airborne precaution infection

Give at least two examples of airborne precaution infectious agent

• Chicken Pox

• Shingles

What is droplet precaution?

a guidelines/ germs that via from coughing, sneezing, and talking, they are heavier then airborne. They fall to the floor quickly and they travel no longer than 3 feet. 

What PPE is needed for droplet precautions? 

• surgical mask 

• gloves

• gown

• googles

Give at least two examples of droplet precaution infectious agent.

• pertussis (whooping cough)

• Influenza (flu)

What are contact precautions

Contact precautions prevent the spread of harmful germs from direct contact.

What PPE is needed for contact precautions?

• gown'

• goggles

• mask

• gloves

Give two examples of contact infectious agents

• blood

• feces

• urine

• other bodily fluids  

What are the psychological effects of a resident in transmission-based precautions? 

• feeling loneliness & isolation 

• depression 

• sense of not have control 

What levels of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs are affected?

• love and belonging

• self-esteem

• safety & security

• self-actualization

How can you as a CNA help meet those needs?

• showing emotional support

• respect them

• show empathy

• communicated

• listen to them

• arranged activities inside their room

• arranged a visit and a call from family