Infection and disease prevention Rad 188

What is medical asepsis?

Reducing the probability of transmitting infectious organisms to a susceptible host

What two processes are included in medical asepsis?

Cleaning and disinfecting

Does medical asepsis remove all microorganisms?

No

What does medical asepsis do to the number of contaminants?

Decreases them

What is the first level of medical asepsis?

Cleaning and hygiene techniques

What is included in the first level of medical asepsis?

Cleaning dusting linen handling and hand hygiene

What is the second level of medical asepsis?

Disinfection

What is disinfection?

Destruction of pathogens using chemicals

What is another name for surgical asepsis?

Sterilization

What is the goal of surgical asepsis?

Completely remove all organisms

What happens if a sterile object touches a nonsterile object?

It becomes contaminated

What should you do if you suspect a sterile item is contaminated?

Discard it

Should you reach across a sterile field?

No

Should you pass between a physician and a sterile field?

No

Should a sterile area ever be left unattended?

No

Should you turn your back to a sterile field?

No

How should two sterile people pass each other?

Back-to-back

What is the first step when putting on sterile gloves?

Wash and thoroughly dry hands

What part of the first sterile glove may the bare hand touch?

Inner surface of the folded cuff

Where should sterile gloved hands be kept?

In front of the body

Why should sterile gloves be kept away from the uniform?

To prevent contamination

When should a sterile tray be opened?

Just before the procedure

Which corner of a sterile package is unfolded first?

The corner away from you

Which folds are opened after the first corner of a sterile package?

The left and right sides

Which fold of a sterile package is opened last?

The front fold

Should the inner surface of an opened sterile package be touched?

No

How may additional sterile items be added to a sterile field?

Dropped onto it

What should you do when you are ill before clinical?

Stay home

What should you do when coughing or sneezing?

Cover your mouth

How often should clean uniforms and shoes be worn to clinical?

Every clinical day

When should hand sanitizer be used around a patient room?

When entering and leaving

When should hand hygiene be performed around each patient?

Before and after

What should you do if you doubt an object's cleanliness?

Clean it before use

How should fingernails be maintained for asepsis?

Short and clean

Why should artificial nails be avoided?

They harbor or spread bacteria

Should hands be washed after patient contact if gloves were worn?

Yes

Why should large jewelry be avoided?

It may harbor bacteria

What should be done with lab coats after use?

Wash them

How should long hair be worn during patient care?

Tied up

What is an infection?

Invasion and multiplication of microorganisms in the body

What is a localized infection?

An infection restricted to one area

What is a systemic infection?

An infection throughout the body

When is a cycle of infection created?

When a pathogen finds an environment where it can grow

What is the first component of the infection cycle?

Infectious organism

What is the second component of the infection cycle?

Reservoir of infection

What is the third component of the infection cycle?

Portal of exit

What is the fourth component of the infection cycle?

Susceptible host

What is the fifth component of the infection cycle?

Portal of entry

What is the sixth component of the infection cycle?

Means of transporting the organism

What are microorganisms?

Organisms too small to see with the naked eye

What are bacteria?

Single-celled organisms

How do viruses compare in size with bacteria?

Viruses are smaller

Can viruses reproduce outside a living cell?

No

What type of environment promotes infection growth?

Moist and damp

What do infectious organisms need for nourishment?

Nutrients

What temperature condition promotes infection growth?

Warm temperatures

What is one major reservoir of infection?

The human body

Can an asymptomatic healthy person carry pathogens?

Yes

Can contaminated food or water serve as an infection reservoir?

Yes

What is a susceptible host?

A person with reduced resistance to infection

How does poor nutrition affect infection susceptibility?

It increases risk

How does fatigue affect infection susceptibility?

It increases risk

Are immunosuppressed individuals at increased infection risk?

Yes

Are chemotherapy patients at increased infection risk?

Yes

Are burn patients at increased infection risk?

Yes

Are postoperative patients at increased infection risk?

Yes

What age group listed in the slides has increased infection risk?

Adults 65 and older

What is a nosocomial infection?

A hospital-acquired infection

When is an infection considered hospital acquired according to the slides?

More than 48 hours after admission

What is a common source of hospital-acquired infections?

Contaminated healthcare worker hands

Can contaminated medical equipment cause hospital-acquired infections?

Yes

What does MRSA stand for?

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

What does VRE stand for?

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus

What does C. diff stand for?

Clostridium difficile

How long can C. diff live outside the body according to the slides?

70 to 90 days

What commonly contributes to C. diff infection?

Antibiotic use

Where may C. diff commonly be found?

Contaminated surfaces and equipment

What is a major symptom of C. diff?

Severe diarrhea

What other symptom of C. diff is listed?

Fever

Can C. diff spread through direct contact?

Yes

Can C. diff spread through indirect contact?

Yes

What part of the infection chain is easiest to break?

Transmission

What are the two major categories of transmission?

Direct and indirect

What type of direct transmission occurs through coughing or sneezing?

Droplet transmission

How far do droplets travel according to the slides?

About 3 feet or less

Which body surfaces are vulnerable to droplets?

Mucous membranes

What is direct contact transmission?

Touching an infected person

What type of transmission occurs through air or dust containing spores?

Airborne transmission

What is an example of an airborne disease?

Tuberculosis

What other airborne disease is listed?

Measles

What is vehicle-borne transmission?

Transmission through a contaminated common vehicle

What is an example of a common vehicle?

Food or water

What is a fomite?

A contaminated object that transmits infection

What radiography equipment can act as a fomite?

X-ray equipment

What is vector-borne transmission?

Transmission by an insect or animal carrier

What is a mechanical vector?

A carrier with pathogens on its outside surface

Do pathogens infect a mechanical vector?

No

What is an example of a mechanical vector?

A fly or cockroach

What is a biological vector?

A carrier with a pathogen living inside its body

What disease can mosquitoes transmit according to the slides?

West Nile