Unit VII Infection Control Flashcards

Flashcards covering microorganisms, chain of infection, standard precautions, hand hygiene guidelines, and PPE usage based on the Unit VII Infection Control notes.

What three elements are necessary for an infection to occur?

A source (places where infectious agents live), a susceptible person (with a way for germs to enter the body), and transmission (a way germs are moved to the susceptible person).

What does it mean if a person is colonized with germs?

They have no symptoms of an infection, but are able to pass the germs to others.

What four environmental sources of infectious agents are listed in the notes?

Dry surfaces in patient care areas, wet surfaces, moist environments and biofilms, indwelling medical devices, and dust or decaying debris.

What distance can droplets travel during spray and splash transmission when an infected person coughs or sneezes?

Approximately $6\text{ feet}$.

How does inhalation transmission spread germs to a susceptible host?

Germs are aerosolized in tiny particles that survive on air currents over great distances and time.

What are the six links in the Chain of Infection?

Infectious Agent, Reservoir, Portal of exit, Mode of transmission, Portal of entry, and Susceptible host.

According to this diagram of the Chain of Infection, what common care home stomach bugs and respiratory infections are examples of an Infectious Agent?

Respiratory infections such as colds and flu, and stomach bugs like norovirus and Clostridiodes.difficile (C. diff).

What are the ways a germ can exit a reservoir (portal of exit)?

Healthcare workers' hands, bodily fluids, air breathed into lungs, sickness and diarrhoea, and through the nose and mouth from sneezing and coughing.

What defines Standard Precautions in healthcare?

Standard Precautions are the minimum infection prevention measures that apply to ALL patients in all healthcare settings.

What is the core assumption behind Standard Precautions?

Work with the assumption that all blood, body fluids, wounds, and mucus membranes may be infected.

According to CDC estimates, how many patients in the United States get hospital-associated infections each year, and how many die?

Nearly $2\text{ million}$ patients get an infection each year, and about $90,000$ of these patients die.

When hands are NOT visibly soiled, what is the recommended method for routinely decontaminating hands?

Use an alcohol-based hand rub.

How do plain soap, antimicrobial soap, and alcohol-based hand rubs compare in reducing bacterial counts?

Plain soap and water is good, antimicrobial soap is better, and alcohol-based hand rubs are the best.

What maximum fingernail length does the CDC recommend for healthcare providers, and why?

Fingernails should be no longer than $\frac{1}{4}\text{ inch}$ because more bacteria accumulate and are retained under longer nails.

Why should healthcare workers avoid wearing acrylic or silk nails?

Acrylic nails and silk nails harbor bacteria and should not be worn in the healthcare setting.

When must gloves be worn according to Standard Precautions?

When touching blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, contaminated items, mucous membranes, or broken (non-intact) skin.

What is the correct sequence for donning Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?

1. Gown, 2. Mask (properly adjusted), 3. Goggles or face shield, 4. Gloves.

How should gloves and gowns overlap when both are worn?

The gloves should be put on last and form a barrier by overlapping the cuff of the gown.