RT207 - PreFinals: Infection Control

Antimicrobial drugs

Drugs that tend to destroy microbes or prevent their multiplication

Antibiotics

Soluble substances derived from a mold or bacterium that kills or inhibits growth of other microorganisms

Attenuated vaccine

A weakened or dilute solution of microbes

Bacteria

Colorless, minute, one-celled organisms with a typical nucleus

Broad-spectrum antimicrobial drug

A drug effective against a wide variety of different microorganisms

Carrier

A person or animal that harbors a particular infectious agent and does not have clinical disease but is able to transmit the disease to others

Encephalopathy

A disorder of the brain

Enterotoxigenic

Referring to an organism that produces toxins specific for cells in the intestinal tract

Fungi

Cells that require an oxygenated environment to live; may be either yeasts or molds

Genetic predisposition

Inherited potential via genetic transmission for a particular illness or characteristic

Immune

Free from acquiring a particular infectious disease

Immune suppressed

Persons whose immunity is prohibited for physiologic reasons

Infectious disease

A disease capable of being passed from one person to another

Pathogenicity

The ability to cause disease

Percutaneous injection

Passage through the skin by needle puncture including introduction of wires and catheters

Prion

An infectious particle of non-nucleic acid composition; must mutate to become infectious

Protozoa

One-celled organisms; often parasitic and able to move by pseudopod formation, flagella, or cilia

Retention urinary catheters

Tubes placed in the urinary bladder and fixed in place for a period of time

Sterile

Free of all living microorganisms

Vascular access devices

Catheters or needles that are able to enter the blood vessels

Virulent

Extremely toxic

Infection

Occurs when a pathogen invades tissues and begins growing within a host; disease results if pathogens multiply or alter normal tissue function

Colonization

Presence and growth of microorganisms within a host without tissue invasion or damage

Microorganism or Infectious Agent

Bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites

Bacterial infections cause

Caused by bacteria, single-celled microorganisms that reproduce on their own

Bacterial infections transmission

Spread through contaminated food, water, surfaces, or direct contact

Bacterial infections symptoms

Fever, pain, inflammation, localized symptoms

Bacterial infections treatment

Treated with antibiotics; resistance is a concern

Viral infections cause

Caused by viruses that cannot reproduce without a host cell

Viral infections transmission

Spread via direct contact, respiratory droplets, contaminated surfaces, vectors

Viral infections symptoms

Fever, fatigue, cough, sore throat, mild to severe illness

Viral infections treatment

Often self-limiting; vaccines and antivirals may be used

Fungal infections cause

Caused by fungi that grow in various environments

Fungal infections transmission

Contact with contaminated soil, water, inhalation of spores, person-to-person

Fungal infections symptoms

Itching, rashes, swelling, possible organ damage

Fungal infections treatment

Treated with antifungal medications

Parasitic infections cause

Caused by parasites living on or inside a host

Parasitic infections transmission

Contaminated food/water, insect bites, direct contact

Parasitic infections symptoms

Range from mild GI discomfort to severe organ damage

Parasitic infections treatment

Treated with antiparasitic medications

Chain of infection

Infection occurs when all elements are present: infectious agent, reservoir, port of exit, mode of transmission, port of entry, susceptible host

Localized infection

Infection in one area with symptoms like pain, tenderness, warmth, redness

Systemic infection

Infection affecting the entire body; can be fatal if untreated

Direct contact transmission

Person-to-person physical contact including fecal-oral

Indirect contact transmission

Contact with contaminated objects like needles, linens, environment

Droplet transmission

Droplets from cough/sneeze travel ~6 ft and enter eyes, nose, mouth

Airborne transmission

Organisms carried in droplet nuclei suspended in air

Vector transmission

Transmission via organisms like mosquitoes, flies, ticks

Incubation period

Time between pathogen entry and first symptoms

Prodromal stage

Nonspecific symptoms; microorganism multiplies and can spread

Illness stage

Specific signs and symptoms appear

Convalescence

Recovery period where symptoms disappear

Normal flora

Good bacteria that protect against harmful pathogens

Body system defense

Includes skin, mucous membranes, immune system

Skin and mucous membranes

Physical barriers that trap and expel pathogens

Immune system

White blood cells and antibodies that destroy pathogens and remember them

Inflammation

Response causing redness, swelling; isolates infection and promotes healing

Vascular and cellular response

Blood vessels and cells respond to injury/infection

Inflammatory exudate

Fluid with proteins and antibodies that neutralize pathogens

Tissue repair

Process where fibroblasts produce collagen to restore tissue

Health care-associated infections (HAIs)

Infections resulting from healthcare delivery

Nosocomial infection

Infection acquired during medical care

MDRO

Multidrug-resistant organisms due to invasive procedures and antibiotics

Exogenous infection

From external microorganisms not part of normal flora

Endogenous infection

Overgrowth of altered normal flora (inside)

Iatrogenic infection

Infection from medical procedures or treatments

Age factor

Infants and elderly more vulnerable; children exposed in schools

Sex factor

Hormones and anatomy affect infection susceptibility

Nutritional status

Poor nutrition weakens immune system

Stress

Cortisol suppresses immunity; unhealthy behaviors increase risk

Disease process

Chronic illness and immune disorders increase infection risk

Risk factors

Weakened immunity, chronic illness, environmental exposure

Clinical appearance

Signs like swelling, fever

Defense mechanisms

Body’s ability to fight infection

Medical therapy

Some weaken immunity, others prevent infections

Travel history

Exposure to region-specific infections

Laboratory data

Tests identify infection and monitor response

Health promotion

Nutrition, hygiene, immunization, rest, exercise to strengthen defenses

Medical asepsis

Clean technique to reduce microorganisms

Surgical asepsis

Sterile technique to eliminate all microorganisms

Cleaning

Removal of organic/inorganic material using water, detergent, scrubbing

Disinfection

Eliminates many microorganisms except spores

Sterilization

Destroys all microorganisms including spores

Sterilization methods

Steam, chemicals, ethylene oxide gas, boiling (not used in healthcare)

Factors affecting disinfection efficacy

Concentration, pathogen type/number, surface area, temperature, soap presence, organic material

Surgical asepsis principles

Hand hygiene, proper attire, sterile field, limited movement, environmental control

Surgical asepsis purpose

Prevents contamination, isolates sterile field, used in procedures

Sterile procedure steps

Preparation, procedure, monitoring, post-procedure cleanup

Opening sterile packages

Inspect, open away from body, avoid touching, use aseptic technique, dispose properly

Hand hygiene

Most effective method to prevent infection transmission

Handwashing principle

Removes microorganisms mechanically; does not kill them

Antiseptic hand wash

Washing with soap containing antiseptic agent

Antiseptic hand rub

Applying antiseptic to reduce microorganisms

Ethanol-based hand rub

60–90% alcohol most effective

Surgical hand antisepsis

Removes transient flora and reduces resident flora before surgery

Hand hygiene assessment

Check skin, soiling, nail condition

Standard precautions

Used for all patients regardless of infection status

Contact precautions

Prevent transmission via direct/indirect contact using PPE

Airborne precautions

For airborne diseases; use N95 and negative pressure rooms

Droplet precautions

For large droplets; use masks and private rooms