M3: 125 Pt Care - Ch 9, 10, 11, 19

A patient has microorganisms living on the skin without signs of infection. What term describes these microorganisms?

Normal flora

A microorganism capable of causing disease or infection is best described as what?

Pathogen

Which microorganism is single-celled, can reproduce independently, and may be classified as Gram-positive or Gram-negative?

Bacteria

A radiographer identifies round bacterial cells arranged in grape-like clusters. Which organism is represented by this morphology?

Staphylococcus

Which bacterial form is associated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis?

Bacillus (rod-shaped bacterium)

Which organism requires a host cell to reproduce?

Virus

A microorganism contains genetic material protected by a protein capsid and cannot reproduce independently. What is it?

Virus

Which type of microorganism includes molds and yeasts?

Fungi

A student observes branched filament-like structures and spore formation in a fungal specimen. What type of fungus is being described?

Mold

Which microorganism is an abnormal infectious protein with no DNA or RNA?

Prion

Which serious neurologic diseases are associated with prions according to the study material?

Mad cow disease and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

Which type of microorganism is complex, single-celled, and may be motile or nonmotile?

Protozoa

Which protozoan disease is associated with mosquito transmission?

Malaria

A patient with severely compromised immunity develops an opportunistic infection. Which organism is identified in the study material as a common cause?

Pneumocystis carinii

Which protozoan infection is associated with the GI tract and diarrhea?

Giardiasis

Which sexually transmitted disease listed in the study material is caused by a protozoan?

Trichomoniasis

A microorganism normally lives in the gastrointestinal tract without causing disease. What is this relationship called?

Normal flora

Which link in the chain of infection identifies the microorganism that causes disease?

Infectious agent

Which link identifies the environment where a pathogen lives and flourishes?

Reservoir

A pathogen is living and multiplying in a human host. Which link of the chain of infection is represented by the human?

Reservoir

Which chain-of-infection link describes how a pathogen leaves its reservoir?

Portal of exit

Coughing and sneezing can provide which link in the chain of infection?

Portal of exit

Which chain-of-infection link describes how a microorganism travels from one person or place to another?

Mode of transmission

Which chain-of-infection link describes how a microorganism enters a new host?

Portal of entry

A pathogen enters through the nose and mouth. Which chain-of-infection link is represented?

Portal of entry

Which person is considered a susceptible host?

A person capable of becoming infected

Which sequence correctly represents the six links of the chain of infection?

Infectious agent → Reservoir → Portal of exit → Transmission → Portal of entry → Susceptible host

A pathogen requires moisture, nutrients, and an appropriate temperature to flourish. What link of the chain is being described?

Reservoir

Which body structure is an example of a portal of entry?

Mucous membrane

A patient has an open wound through which microorganisms can enter. What is the wound functioning as?

Portal of entry

Which characteristic helps a pathogen attach to cells, invade tissues, and avoid host defenses?

Virulence factor

A pathogen has characteristics that allow it to cause greater damage to the host. What term describes these characteristics?

Virulence factors

An infection associated with receiving healthcare is called what?

Healthcare-associated infection (HAI)

What term traditionally refers to an infection acquired in a healthcare facility?

Nosocomial infection

Which organism is associated with healthcare-associated colitis and forms spores?

Clostridioides difficile

A patient develops a healthcare-associated infection after more than 48 hours of hospitalization. Which infection is emphasized in the study material as commonly acquired in this setting?

Clostridioides difficile colitis

Which route of transmission requires physical contact between an infected person and another person?

Direct contact

A contaminated x-ray table transmits microorganisms to another patient. What is the contaminated table considered?

Fomite

What term describes a contaminated inanimate object that can transmit infection?

Fomite

A mosquito transmits an infectious organism from one person to another. What route of transmission is involved?

Vector

Which living carrier is a classic example of a vector for malaria?

Mosquito

A patient becomes infected after consuming contaminated water. Which route of transmission is involved?

Vehicle

Which route of transmission involves food, water, blood, or another contaminated substance?

Vehicle

Respiratory droplets produced during coughing, sneezing, speaking, or singing are associated with which route?

Droplet transmission

Which type of transmission involves small droplet nuclei that can remain suspended in air for long periods?

Airborne transmission

A patient with tuberculosis is being transported for imaging. Which transmission route is most important?

Airborne transmission

Which three diseases are identified in the study material as airborne diseases?

Tuberculosis, rubeola, and varicella

Which disease is used as the classic example of vector transmission?

Malaria

Which precautions are the three major transmission-based precautions?

Contact, droplet, and airborne

A patient has VRE. Which transmission-based precaution is indicated?

Contact precautions

A patient with influenza requires which transmission-based precaution?

Droplet precautions

A patient with suspected active tuberculosis requires which transmission-based precaution?

Airborne precautions

During mobile radiography of a patient with MRSA, which PPE is identified in the course material?

Gown and gloves

A radiographer is caring for a patient who is highly immunocompromised. Which type of precautions protects the patient from microorganisms carried by healthcare workers?

Protective precautions

Which patient scenario best represents the need for protective precautions?

A neutropenic cardiac transplant patient receiving immunosuppressive drugs

Which three basic components are emphasized under standard precautions?

Hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, and PPE

A healthcare worker is about to enter a patient's room under standard precautions. What should be performed first?

Hand hygiene

Which infection-control practice is considered the best medical aseptic practice?

Frequent hand hygiene

Which condition makes alcohol hand rub less appropriate because the organism forms spores?

Clostridioides difficile

Which type of nail can increase the number of microorganisms harbored by the hands?

Artificial nails

A radiographer fails to disinfect an x-ray table between patients. What could the table become?

A fomite

Which disinfectant is identified in the course material as an inexpensive environmental surface germicide for the HIV question?

Sodium hypochlorite (bleach), 1 part bleach to 10 parts water

When changing contaminated linens, what action helps contain microorganisms?

Fold the edges toward the center and place the linens into the designated receptacle

What should a healthcare worker avoid doing with contaminated linens?

Shaking or flapping them

A contaminated needle punctures a healthcare worker. What is the event called?

A sharps injury/exposure

What is the first action after an accidental HIV-contaminated needlestick according to the course material?

Wash the puncture site with soap and water

What is the estimated HIV transmission risk from a contaminated needlestick given in the course material?

0.3%

Which occupational exposure route is emphasized as a common route for bloodborne pathogen transmission?

Needlestick injury

Which hepatitis virus is the primary vaccine-preventable hepatitis emphasized for healthcare workers?

Hepatitis B

A patient develops hepatitis after consuming food or water contaminated with feces. Which type of hepatitis is most consistent?

Hepatitis A

Which respiratory pathogen is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis

A patient has night sweats, loss of appetite, and a persistent cough. Which disease should the radiographer suspect?

Active tuberculosis

Which test is identified in the study material for detecting dormant TB infection?

PPD skin testing

What PPE is identified in the course material for a patient with tuberculosis?

Particulate respirator

What is the portal of exit for tuberculosis when a patient coughs or sneezes?

Respiratory mucus/secretions

A patient inhales tiny infectious particles that remain suspended in the air. What is the mechanism of TB transmission?

Inhalation of airborne droplet nuclei

Which cells are responsible for producing antibodies?

B cells

A patient's tears help provide natural resistance to infection because of which substance?

Lysozymes

What is the primary purpose of vaccination according to the study material?

To stimulate acquired immunity

Antibodies are transferred from a mother to a baby. What type of immunity is this?

Passive immunity

Which defenses are considered examples of natural resistance?

Skin, mucous membranes, normal flora, and inflammatory responses

What does medical asepsis primarily accomplish?

It reduces the number and spread of microorganisms

What is another term for medical asepsis?

Clean technique

What is the main purpose of surgical asepsis?

To create and maintain an area completely free of pathogens

Which procedure is an example of medical asepsis?

Hand hygiene

Which method of sterilization uses steam, pressure, and heat?

Autoclaving

Which sterilization method is most commonly used for items that tolerate heat and moisture?

Autoclaving

A radiology department needs to sterilize heat- and moisture-sensitive electrical equipment. Which method is appropriate according to the course material?

Conventional gas sterilization

Which gas is used in conventional gas sterilization?

Ethylene oxide (EtO)

Why must items sterilized with conventional ethylene oxide gas undergo aeration?

The gas is poisonous and must be removed before the items are used

Which sterilization method uses hydrogen peroxide and free radicals?

Gas-plasma sterilization

A large supply of plastic fiberoptic devices must be sterilized. Which method is identified by the course as appropriate?

Gas-plasma sterilization

Which item is a limitation of gas-plasma sterilization?

It is not effective for long, narrow lumens

Which material cannot be sterilized using gas plasma according to the study material?

Cellulose items such as linens

Which radiation source can be used to sterilize commercial prepackaged sterile supplies?

Cobalt-60

Which sterilization method is considered least satisfactory because effectiveness depends on factors such as time, solution strength, and temperature?

Chemical sterilization

What does a chemical sterility indicator do?

Changes color when the appropriate sterilization conditions have been achieved

Where should chemical sterility indicators be placed on a sterile package?

Inside and outside the package

What does a biological sterility indicator use to monitor sterilization?

Nonpathogenic bacterial spores

A sterile package has been punctured. What should the radiographer do?

Discard the package