Week 1 MA 114 In Person Quiz

medical asepsis

maintaining cleanliness to prevent the spread of microorganisms and keep pathogens absent by means of employing various levels of sanitization and disinfection practices

ex. proper hand hygiene

surgical asepsis

focused on ensuring equipment and surfaces are free from ALL microorganisms and their spores

ex. sterilizing equipment and setting up sterile trays

infection agents

pathogens

normal/resident flora

transient flora

pathogens

bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, prions

normal/resident flora

found in and on our bodies and help our bodies maintain homeostasis

transient flora

overgrowth of normal flora or the relocation of the normal flora may produce infection

elements in which pathogens need to grow

moisture

temperature

darkness

oxygen

nutrients

neutral pH

chain of infection

infectious agent

reservoir host

means of exit

means of transmission

means of entrance

susceptible host

infectious agent (chain of infection)

the pathogen

sanitize/disinfect/sterilize areas

reservoir host (chain of infection)

where a pathogen can reside, grow, divide, and thrive (people, animals, food, soil, water)

aseptic technique / proper waste handling

means of exit (chain of infection)

commonly leave the body through respiratory, intestinal, and urinary tracts. Also through open wounds and other bodily fluids

PPE, have the patient wear a mask

means of transmission (chain of infection)

direct contact (skin-to-skin, blood-borne, sexual contact, birth, contact with soil or other germ reservoirs) and indirect contact (airborne, vectorborne, food-borne, fecal-oral, touching inanimate objects or fomites)

handwashing

means of entry (chain of infection)

similar to means of exit

PPE / wear gloves

susceptible host (chain of infection)

anyone (risk factors include: age, genetics, immunization status, nutritional status, physical activity, existing medical conditions, undergoing treatment, environmental factors)

vaccines

steps to exam room disinfection

utilize gloves

take note of room and remove/clean any potentially infectious materials

remove table paper and dispose of in the trash can

remove disposable pillow case and dispose of in the trash can

utilize clinic provided disinfecting wipe to clean the exam table, pillow, chairs, door handles, countertops, and any other high touch surface or equipment

after exam table and pillow are dry apply new pillow case and pull down the roll of table paper to cover the exam table fully

wash hands or at minimum sanitize

steps for effective handwashing

turn in the faucets until the water is tepid-to-warm in temperature

wet all surfaces of hands, fingers, and wrists

apply soap and rub hands together vigorously to create a lather

scrub all areas of hands, fingers, and wrists, including under and around nails

rinse hands thoroughly under running water

pat hands dry with paper towel

grab a new paper towel to turn off the faucets, clean sink area of water splatter

handwashing vs hand sanitizer

hand sanitizer is not effective on hands that are visibly dirty or those contaminated with organic material