Sepsis and Infection Control: Chapters 1-10 Flashcards

Flashcards covering key concepts from chapters on infection control, hand hygiene, asepsis, standard and transmission-based precautions, sterile field, PPE, respiratory hygiene, and room precautions.

What are the two primary methods for performing hand hygiene in healthcare?

Soap and water handwashing and alcohol-based hand sanitizer (aseptic hand rub).

What does asepsis mean in healthcare?

Activities to prevent infection or break the chain of infection.

What is a major challenge in infection control in the United States?

Prevention of health care associated infections (HAIs).

Approximately how many HAIs occur in the U.S. each year?

More than a million.

What are the WHO five moments for hand hygiene?

Before touching a patient; before clean/aseptic procedure; after body fluid exposure risk; after touching a patient; after touching the patient’s surroundings.

What is medical asepsis?

Procedures that reduce the number and transfer of pathogens.

What is surgical asepsis?

Practices used to render and keep objects free from microorganisms.

What does the term 'aseptic hand rub' refer to?

Alcohol-based hand sanitizer used for hand hygiene.

Why is hand hygiene considered the most effective method to reduce infection spread?

It reduces transfer of pathogens and the risk of provider colonization or infection.

What does preparing a sterile field involve?

Setting up a sterile area, adding sterile items, and donning sterile gloves while avoiding contamination.

What are standard precautions?

Precautions applied to all patients to reduce transmission, including wearing gloves and appropriate PPE for exposure risks.

What is the difference between medical and surgical asepsis?

Medical asepsis reduces pathogens; surgical asepsis excludes all microorganisms to maintain a sterile field.

What is the recommended method for disposing of sharps?

Place needles, sharps, and scalpels in appropriate puncture-resistant sharps containers.

What is the rule about the outer edge of a sterile field?

The outer one-inch edge is considered contaminated.

When opening a sterile package, in which direction should the first edge be directed?

Away from you.

How does moisture affect a sterile field?

Moisture can carry organisms; a wet field is contaminated if the surface below is not sterile.

How should sterile items be held to maintain sterility?

Above waist level and within sight; keep the field above the waste level.

What should you do with gloves between tasks on the same patient?

Remove gloves promptly and perform hand hygiene.

What is the recommended approach to recapping needles?

Never recap with two hands; use a one-handed technique or a recapping device.

Where should needles and sharps be disposed after use?

In appropriate sharps containers.

What are droplet precautions?

Precautions for infections spread by large droplets; private room if possible and PPE on entry.

What diseases are considered airborne?

Tuberculosis, varicella (chickenpox), rubella (measles), and possibly SARS and COVID-19.

What are the room requirements for airborne precautions?

Private room with negative air pressure, 6–12 air changes per hour, and appropriate filtration; keep door closed.

What are the room requirements for droplet precautions?

Private room if possible; PPE on entry; maintain precautions for interactions that may involve droplets.

What is the purpose of transmission-based precautions?

Used in addition to standard precautions for infections transmitted by airborne, droplet, or contact routes.

What is respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette?

Cover mouth/nose with tissue when coughing, dispose of tissues, wear a mask if coughing, hand hygiene after contact with secretions, and maintain distance (>3 feet) when possible.

When should healthcare workers wear a mask due to respiratory infection?

If signs of respiratory infection are present; if not possible to avoid contact, wear a mask.

What is the recommended spatial separation in waiting areas for respiratory infections?

Ideally more than 3 feet between individuals.

What is the guideline for transport of a patient with an infection?

Transport only when necessary and place a surgical mask on the patient when possible.

What are contact precautions?

Precautions for infections spread by direct or indirect contact; wear gown and gloves and use a private room if available.

What should be done with a patient having excessive wound drainage or high contamination risk?

Place in a private room if available; wear gown and gloves; remove PPE and perform hand hygiene after interaction.

What is the basic principle of handling and cleaning linen and equipment?

Carry soiled items away from the body; do not place on the floor; minimize contamination by careful handling.

What are the key steps to providing safe patient care to prevent infection spread?

Wear gloves for contaminated materials, follow respiratory hygiene, educate patients/visitors, and practice hand hygiene after contact with secretions.