Asepsis and Infection Control Flashcards

Flashcards testing core concepts of medical and surgical asepsis, chain of infection, hospital-acquired infections, and precautions based on the lecture transcript.

What is the definition of asepsis?

Freedom from disease-causing organisms.

What is sepsis?

The state of infection.

How does the transcript distinguish between an infection and a disease?

An infection is the invasion of body tissues by microorganisms and the proliferation of that microorganism, whereas a disease is a detectable alteration in normal tissue function.

What are the four main types of microorganisms listed in the transcript?

Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi, and Parasites.

How are virulence and pathogenicity defined?

Virulence is the power and degree of pathogenicity possessed by a microorganism, while pathogenicity is the ability to produce disease.

What are the four stages of infection in order?

1. Incubation period, 2. Prodromal stage, 3. Full stage of illness, 4. Convalescent period.

What are the components of nonspecific body defenses?

Anatomic and physiologic barriers, and the Inflammatory response.

What are the components of specific body defenses?

Antibody-mediated defenses and Cell-mediated defenses.

What occurs during the vascular and cellular phases of the inflammatory response?

Vascular: Blood vessels constrict, arterioles and venules vasodilate, histamine is released causing pain and swelling, and exudate (serous, sanguineous, purulent) is released. Cellular: Leukocytes move into the area and neutrophils engulf organisms.

How does medical asepsis differ from surgical asepsis?

Medical asepsis (clean technique) involves practices intended to confine a specific microorganism to a specific area to limit its number, growth, and transmission. Surgical asepsis (sterile technique) involves practices to keep an area or object free of all microorganisms and spores.

What are the Five Moments For Hand Hygiene?

1. Before touching a patient, 2. Before a clean or aseptic procedure, 3. After a body fluid exposure risk, 4. After touching a patient, 5. After touching a patient's surroundings.

What are some risk factors for poor adherence to hand hygiene practices?

Doctor status rather than nurse, nursing assistant status rather than nurse, male gender, before contact with patient environment, duration of contact </= 2 minutes, patient care in a non-isolation unit, handwashing agents causing irritation/dryness, insufficient time, lack of soap or paper towels, and forgetfulness.

What is the difference between endogenous and exogenous nosocomial infections?

Endogenous infections originate from the person themselves, whereas exogenous infections come from outside sources in the hospital or healthcare environment.

What is an iatrogenic infection?

An infection that is a direct result of diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.

What are the four categories responsible for hospital-acquired infections?

1. Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI), 2. Surgical Site Infections (SSI), 3. Central-Line Associated Bloodstream Infection (CLABSI), 4. Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP).

Which multidrug-resistant organisms are explicitly listed in the transcript?

MRSA (Methacillin Resistant Staphalococcus Aureous), VRE (Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci), and C. Difficile.

What factors affect an organism's potential to produce disease?

Number of organisms, virulence, competence of a person's immune system, and length and intimacy of contact between person and microorganism.

How are antiseptics distinguished from disinfectants?

Antiseptics are agents that inhibit the growth of some microorganisms, whereas disinfectants are agents that destroy pathogens other than spores.

What four methods of sterilizing are mentioned in the text?

Moist Heat, Gas, Boiling Water, and Radiation.

What are Standard Precautions (Tier 1)?

Precautions used with all patients to decrease the risk of exposure to unidentified pathogens; they apply to blood, all body fluids, secretions, nonintact skin, mucous membranes, and excretions except sweat.

What three types of precautions make up Transmission Based Precautions (Tier 2)?

Airborne Precautions, Droplet Precautions, and Contact Precautions.

What four items are listed as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?

Gloves, Gowns, Masks, and Protective Eyewear.

What psychosocial needs/risks are identified for isolation patients?

Risk for Sensory Deprivation and Risk for Self-Esteem Disturbance.