LAB- ImmunoSero Week 2

Break the Chain

What is the most important reason to understand the chain the chain of infection?

Infectious agents

___ consist of bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses.

Reservoir

A ___ is a place where the infectious agent can live and multiply, such as a contaminated clinical specimen or an infected patient.

Host

Humans and Animals can act as reservoirs called ___

Fomites

Inanimate objects can act as reservoirs called ___

Portal of exit

The infectious agent leaves the reservoir through a ___, such as through the nose, mouth, and mucous membranes, as well as in the blood or other body fluids, and is transmitted to a susceptible source to continue the chain of infection.

Means of Transmission

An infectious agent that has left the reservoir must have a way to reach a susceptible host.

Direct contact

the unprotected host touches the patient, specimen, or a contaminated object

Droplet

the host inhales infected aerosol droplets from a patient or specimen

Airborne

the host inhales dried aerosol particles circulating on the air currents or dust particles

Vehicle

the host ingests contaminated food or water

Vector

from an animal or mosquito bite

portal of entry

The infectious agent now must enter a new reservoir through a ___, which can be the same as the portal of exit.

Susceptible Host

Possible sources of infection include other patients, health-care personnel, or visitors. Patients receiving chemotherapy, the elderly, and immunocompromised patients are susceptible hosts. The immune system is still developing in newborns and infants and begins to weaken as people age, making these groups of patients more susceptible to infection.

Hand contact

___ represents the number-one method of infection transmission

Hand hygiene

___ includes both hand washing and the use of alcohol-based antiseptic cleansers.

gloves

Wear ___ (clean, nonsterile are adequate) when touching blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, and contaminated items.

Mask and Eye Protection

Wear a ___ and ___ or a face shield to protect mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and mouth during procedures and patient-care activities that are likely to generate splashes or sprays of blood, body fluids, secretions, and excretions.

Gown

Wear a ___ (clean, nonsterile is adequate) to protect skin and to prevent soiling of clothing during procedures that are likely to generate splashes of blood, body fluids, secretions, or excretions.

post exposure prophylaxis (PEP)

Any accidental exposure to blood through needlestick, mucous membranes, or nonintact skin requires ___ to be administered within 24 hours.

HIV, Hepatitis B virus, and Hepatitis C virus

Needlesticks are the most frequently encountered exposure and place the laboratorian in danger of contracting ___, ___, and ___.

Biohazard Symbol

All biological waste, except urine, must be placed in appropriate leakproof containers labeled with the ___ and decontaminated, usually by incineration, before disposal.

1:10 sodium hypochlorite solution

Urine can be discarded down the sink. The sink should be rinsed well with water and cleaned daily with a ___ (bleach).

triple packaging

Under DOT and IATA regulations, all diagnostic specimens require ___

needles, lancets, and broken glassware

Sharp objects in the laboratory, including ___, ___, and ___, present a serious biological hazard for possible exposure to BBPs caused by accidental puncture.

15 minutes

When skin or eye contact occurs, the best first aid is to immediately flush the area with water for at least ___

Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

All chemicals and reagents containing hazardous ingredients in a concentration greater than 1% are required by OSHA to have a ___ on file in the work area

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Any hazardous chemical waste should be disposed of per current ___ regulations.

radioisotopes ; radioimmunoassay

Laboratorians can be exposed to radioactivity when performing procedures using ___, such as ___.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)

Disposal of medical radioactive waste is regulated by the ___ and is also subject to local regulations.

wet hands

Equipment should not be operated with ___.

volatile and explosive chemicals

Clinical laboratory work involves the use of potentially ___ that require special procedures for handling and storage

The Joint Commission (TJC)

___, an independent body that certifies and accredits health-care organizations in the United States, requires that all health-care facilities post evacuation routes and detailed plans to follow in the event of a fire.

Rescue

When a fire is discovered, all employees are expected to take the actions described by the acronym RACE:

• ___:rescue anyone in immediate danger.

Alarm

When a fire is discovered, all employees are expected to take the actions described by the acronym RACE:

• ___:activate the institutional fire alarm system.

Contain

When a fire is discovered, all employees are expected to take the actions described by the acronym RACE:

• ___: close all doors to potentially affected areas.

Extinguish or Evacuate

When a fire is discovered, all employees are expected to take the actions described by the acronym RACE:

• ___:attempt to extinguish the fire if possible, or evacuate, closing the door.

Serology

___ is the study of the fluid components in the blood, especially antibodies

Serum

___, the liquid portion of the blood minus the coagulation factors

room temperature ; 4C

The blood specimen is allowed to clot at ___ or at ___

2C and 8C

if testing cannot be performed immediately, serum may be stored between ___ and ___ for up to 72 hours.

72 hours

if testing cannot be performed immediately, serum may be stored between 2°C and 8°C for up to ___.

-20C

If there is any additional delay in testing, the serum should be frozen at ___ or colder.

Volumetric pipettes

___ are marked and calibrated to deliver only one volume of a specified liquid.

small drop

Volumetric pipettes enable the user to dispense the exact measure of liquid with a ___ left behind.

to deliver

Pipettes are usually labeled “TD,” meaning ___

rubber bulb

Volumetric pipettes are used with a suctioning device such as a ___.

Graduated pipettes

___ have markings that allow for varying amounts of liquid to be measured

serological pipette

___ the marks go all the way down to the tip

blowout pipette

Some serological pipettes have a frosted band around the opening; this type is called a ___.

to contain

Serological pipettes may be labeled “TC,” meaning ___.

micropipettes

___ are much more accurate because they deliver volumes in the microliter (µL) range and can be used when very small volumes are needed

less concentrated

In the clinical laboratory, it is often necessary to make a ___ solution from a reagent

solute

___, which is the substance being diluted

diluent

___, which is the medium making up the rest of the solution.

fraction

The relationship between solute and diluent is a ratio that can also be expressed as a ___

compound dilution

Sometimes it is necessary to make a ___, which involves preparation of a larger dilution from a previously prepared smaller dilution.

serial dilution

To prepare a ___, a series of test tubes is set up with exactly the same amount of diluent in each