Nursing Fundamentals: Infection Control, Vital Signs, and Personal Hygiene

Flashcards on core nursing concepts covering infection control, stages of infection, vital sign normal ranges, respiratory patterns, blood pressure measurement, PPE guidelines, and oral hygiene conditions.

American Nurses Association (ANA)

Professional nursing organization established in 1896.

Reservoir

Natural habitat where the infectious agent lives and multiplies (e.g., people, animals, soils, foods, environment).

Portal of Exit

How the infectious agent leaves the reservoir (e.g., bodily fluids, blood, feces, respiratory drops from coughing and sneezing).

Means of Transmission

How an infectious agent is transported (e.g., direct contact, indirect contact, airborne).

Portal of Entry

Site where an infectious agent enters a host (e.g., skin/urinary tract).

Susceptible Host

People with weak or lacking immunity.

Bacteria

Common infectious agent found in hospitals.

Virus

Smallest of all microorganisms, non-living.

Fungi

Plant-like organisms found in air, soil, and water.

Parasite

Organisms that live on or in a host and rely on it for nourishment.

Incubation Stage

Stage of infection characterized by organisms growing and multiplying.

Prodromal Stage

Stage of infection where the person is most infectious, exhibiting vague and nonspecific signs of disease.

Full Stage of Illness

Stage of infection marked by the presence of specific signs and symptoms of disease.

Convalescent Stage

Stage of infection consisting of recovery from the infection.

Normal Adult Oral Temperature

Range of $35.8^\text{o}\text{C} - 37.5^\text{o}\text{C}$ ($96.4^\text{o}\text{F} - 99.5^\text{o}\text{F}$).

Normal Adult Pulse

$$60 - 100\text{ beats per min}$$

Normal Adult Respirations

$$12 - 20\text{ breaths per min}$$

Normal Adult Blood Pressure

$$<120/80$$

Radiation (Heat Loss)

Diffusion or dissemination of heat by electromagnetic waves.

Convection (Heat Loss)

Dissemination of heat by motion between areas of unequal density.

Evaporation (Heat Loss)

The conversion of liquids to vapor.

Conduction (Heat Loss)

Transfer of heat to another object during direct contact.

Afebrile

Without fever.

Pyrexia (Febrile)

Increase above normal body temperature.

Intermittent Fever

Fever pattern where temperature returns to normal at least once every $24\text{ hours}$

Remittent Fever

Fever pattern where temperature does not return to normal and fluctuates a few degrees up and down.

Continuous Fever

Fever pattern where temperature remains above normal with minimal variations.

Recurrent Fever

Fever pattern where temperature returns to normal for one or more days with one or more episodes of fever.

Rectal Temperature

Most accurate temperature taken between buttocks with range $97.4^\text{o}\text{F} - 100.5^\text{o}\text{F}$.

Axillary Temperature

Usually less accurate temperature taken under the armpit with range $95.6^\text{o}\text{F} - 98.5^\text{o}\text{F}$.

Tympanic Temperature

Temperature measured in the ears with range $98.2^\text{o}\text{F} - 100.9^\text{o}\text{F}$.

Forehead Temperature

Temperature measured on forehead with range $98.7^\text{o}\text{F} - 100.5^\text{o}\text{F}$.

Tachycardia

Fast heart rate.

Bradycardia

Slow heart rate.

Pulse Amplitude

Pulse strength graded as 0 (absent), 1 (diminished), 2 (normal), or 3 (bounding).

Diaphragm (Stethoscope)

Used to listen to high frequency sounds.

Bell (Stethoscope)

Used to listen to low frequency sounds.

Radial Pulse Site

Most common site for pulse detection.

Carotid Pulse Site

Pulse site used in emergencies for both children and adults.

Brachial Pulse Site

Pulse site used in emergencies for infants.

Eupnea

Normal respiration.

Tachypnea

Increased respiratory rate.

Bradypnea

Decreased respiratory rate.

Apnea

Periods when no breathing occurs.

Dyspnea

Difficult or labored breathing.

Orthopnea

Changes in breathing when sitting or standing.

Cheyne-Stokes Respirations

Alternating periods of deep rapid breathing and periods of apnea, associated with end of life.

Biot's Respirations

Varying depth and rate of breathing followed by apnea, associated with severe brain damage.

Hypotension

Low blood pressure defined as $<90/60$.

Orthostatic Hypotension

Drop in blood pressure that happens when you stand up from a sitting or lying position.

Systolic Sound

First sound heard when measuring blood pressure.

Diastolic Sound

Second sound heard when measuring blood pressure.

Hand Sanitizer Protocol

Should be at least $60\%$ alcohol and remain wet for $20\text{ seconds}$.

Hand Washing Protocol

Sequence consisting of wet, lather, scrub for $20\text{ seconds}$, rinse, and dry.

Sterile Gloves Indications

Used for aseptic technique (sterile procedures), inserting a Foley catheter, central line dressing changes, surgical procedures, and chemotherapy infusions.

Skin (Hygiene)

Largest organ of the body and first line of defense.

Caries

Decay of teeth and formation of cavities due to failure to remove plaque.

Plaque

Invisible destructive bacterial film that can destroy tooth enamel if not removed.

Periodontal Diseases

Inflammation of the gums and bone that surround the teeth.

Gingivitis

Inflammation of the gingiva.

Periodontitis

Inflammation of the gums, bleeding, swollen, receding gum, and loose teeth.

Tartar

Plaque build up.

Halitosis

Strong mouth odor.

Stomatitis

Inflammation of the oral mucosa.

Glossitis

Inflammation of the tongue.

Cheilosis

Ulcers and dry scaling lips with fissures at the angles of the mouth.