Infection Prevention and Control - Vanderbilt School of Nursing

A set of Question-and-Answer flashcards covering key concepts from infection prevention and control: chain of infection, infectious agents, reservoirs, portals, modes of transmission, isolation precautions, PPE, HAIs, body's defenses, stages of infection, and health promotion.

What are the six components of the chain of infection?

Infectious agent, reservoir, exit portal, transmission, entry portal, and susceptible host.

What is an infectious agent?

The organism with the potential to cause infection (bacteria, virus, fungus, parasite); virulence and quantity affect infection risk; nurses’ role includes handwashing, disinfection, and sterilization.

What is a reservoir in infection control?

A place where microorganisms survive and multiply awaiting transfer (e.g., hands, clothing, equipment, soil, food).

What is the portal of exit?

The means by which agents leave the reservoir (e.g., sneeze, cough, skin contact).

What is a portal of entry?

Body part through which pathogens enter the host (commonly mucous membranes and skin).

Who is a susceptible host and what factors influence susceptibility?

A person in whom infection can occur; susceptibility depends on immune function and pathogen virulence; goals include maintaining immune function and good nutrition to prevent entry.

Why is hand hygiene considered the best method to prevent the spread of infection?

It reduces transmission when performed correctly, at the right times, and habitually.

What are standard precautions?

Measures to prevent transmission of common infectious agents to health care personnel, patients, and visitors; assumes agents may be present and requires appropriate PPE.

List the PPE items used for standard precautions.

Gloves, gown, mask or respirator, goggles, and face shield.

What is contact isolation and when is it used?

Prevents spread via direct or indirect contact for organisms like MRSA, VRE, C. diff, scabies; private room; gloves and gown; limit transport.

Which pathogens require droplet precautions and what PPE is used?

Pathogens transmitted by droplets (e.g., meningitis, flu, pertussis); private room; wear a mask; limit transport.

Which pathogens require airborne precautions and what are the requirements?

Pathogens transmitted via airborne particles (e.g., TB, measles); private room with negative pressure; N95 respirator; patient wears a mask during transport.

What does 'enhanced precautions' refer to?

Extra precautions for highly contagious or novel pathogens (e.g., COVID); higher-level PPE than standard precautions.

What is a negative pressure room and its purpose?

A private isolation room where air is vented to outside or filtered to keep pathogens from escaping; door kept closed to maintain negative pressure.

What is an N95 respirator used for?

A respirator that filters at least 95% of airborne particles; used for airborne precautions.

What is the difference between direct and indirect transmission?

Direct: person-to-person contact; indirect: via droplets, aerosols, vehicles, vectors, or fomites.

What are droplets, aerosols, vehicles, vectors, and fomites in transmission terms?

Droplets: large respiratory droplets; Aerosols: small airborne particles; Vehicles: contaminated inanimate substances; Vectors: living organisms; Fomites: inanimate objects.

What is a fomite?

An inanimate object that can carry infectious agents (e.g., instruments, surfaces).

What is a vehicle in infection transmission terms?

A nonliving medium (like water or medication) that can transmit pathogens.

What is a vector in infection transmission terms?

A living organism (e.g., insects) that transmits pathogens.

What does a Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI) include?

Infections acquired in health care settings; examples: CLABSI, CAUTI, SSI, HAP, VAP; many are preventable.

What is CLABSI?

Central line-associated bloodstream infection.

What is CAUTI?

Catheter-associated urinary tract infection.

What is SSI?

Surgical site infection.

What are HAP and VAP?

Hospital-acquired pneumonia and ventilator-associated pneumonia.

What are the body’s first line defenses against infection?

Skin, body secretions, reflexes.

What are the second line defenses against infection?

Fever, phagocytes, and the inflammatory cascade.

What are some natural defenses listed by body region?

Cerumen in ears; tears; saliva; nasal hairs and mucus; mucous membranes; stomach acid; urine flow; vaginal acidity; mucous membranes; skin barrier.

What are the stages of infection in order?

Incubation, prodromal, acute illness, decline, convalescence.

What are localized vs systemic indicators of infection?

Localized: erythema, exudate, pain; Systemic: fever, tachycardia, leukocytosis, positive cultures.

What is the focus of health maintenance and promotion in infection prevention?

Patient teaching on natural defenses and infection control measures; hand hygiene, isolation of sick contacts, cleaning of items, nutrition, sleep.

Which factors influence infection prevention and control?

Age, nutritional status, stress, disease/surgery, immune-suppressing treatments, and social determinants of health.

What is aseptic technique and its two forms?

Medical (clean) technique reduces organisms; Surgical (sterile) technique eliminates all microorganisms.

What is ACAP in the context of asepsis?

As clean as possible.

What is the role of isolation precautions and visitors in infection control?

Guidelines for implementing isolation precautions and managing visitors and equipment to protect patients and staff.

What are common challenges to achieving consistent hand hygiene?

Practice, noticing, and engaging in habit formation.

What is the purpose of standard precautions regarding PPE selection?

To protect health care personnel and patients by using PPE appropriate for the situation and potential pathogens.