COVID-19 Infection Control and Isolation (Video Notes)

A comprehensive set of Q&A flashcards covering infectious agents, chain of infection, immunity, inflammatory response, infection stages, transmission, hygiene, asepsis, standard precautions, PPE, and health care–associated infections.

What is an infectious agent?

An organism that can cause infection, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites, or prions.

What are the elements of the chain of infection?

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

What is a reservoir in the chain of infection?

The habitat where the infectious agent lives, grows, and replicates.

What is the portal of exit?

The means by which the infectious agent leaves the reservoir; the point at which a person begins to feel sick.

What is the portal of entry?

Body openings or skin that provide a place for the infectious agent to enter.

What are the main modes of transmission?

Contact, droplet, and airborne transmission.

What is direct contact transmission?

Microorganisms move directly from an infected person to another person without a contaminated object between.

What is indirect contact transmission?

Microorganisms move from the infected person to another person via a contaminated object or person (fomite), such as door handles.

What is a susceptible host?

A person who can become infected; not everyone exposed becomes ill.

What is nonspecific (innate) immunity?

Neutrophils and macrophages acting as phagocytes to eat and destroy microorganisms.

What is specific (adaptive) immunity?

Antibodies and lymphocytes that bind to pathogens and recruit immune cells to destroy them.

What is the role of phagocytes in immunity?

Neutrophils and macrophages that engulf and destroy microorganisms.

What happens in the inflammatory response?

Pattern receptors recognize stimuli; inflammatory pathways are activated; inflammatory markers released; inflammatory cells recruited.

What is the incubation stage of infection?

Infection enters the host and begins to multiply.

What occurs during the prodromal stage?

Nonspecific symptoms such as headache and nausea.

What characterizes the acute illness stage?

Manifestations of the disease are obvious and may be severe.

What happens during the decline stage?

Manifestations begin to wane as the degree of infectious disease decreases.

What occurs during convalescence?

Client returns to a normal or a new normal state of health.

What is the difference between local and systemic infections?

Local infections are confined to one area; systemic infections spread to the bloodstream and can lead to sepsis.

What is hand hygiene?

Cleansing of the hands using soap and water, alcohol-based sanitizers, or antiseptic handwash/rub; includes surgical hand antisepsis.

What is medical asepsis?

Clean technique aimed at eliminating or reducing disease-causing microorganisms to prevent spread.

What are standard precautions?

Infection prevention practices applied to all clients; PPE usage; for example, gloves.

What are nurses' responsibilities regarding PPE?

Know which PPE is needed and how to don and doff PPE properly.

What are the four major health care-associated infections (HAIs)?

CLABSI, CAUTI, SSI, and VAP.

What does CLABSI stand for?

Central Line-associated Bloodstream Infection.

What does CAUTI stand for?

Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infection.

What does SSI stand for?

Surgical Site Infection.

What does VAP stand for?

Ventilator-associated Pneumonia.

Where are HAIs mainly seen?

Intensive Care Units (ICUs).