What I don't know

6. Etiology of Specific Diseases

Etiology = the cause of a disease

E. coli

  • Type: Bacteria

  • Found normally in intestines

  • Some strains cause food poisoning and UTIs

  • Spread through contaminated food or water

Histoplasmosis

  • Type: Fungal infection

  • Found in soil with bird or bat droppings

  • Spread by inhaling spores

  • Affects the lungs

Pinworms

  • Type: Parasite (helminth)

  • Common in children

  • Spread through fecal–oral route

  • Causes anal itching, especially at night

Varicella (Chickenpox)

  • Type: Virus

  • Spread by airborne droplets or direct contact

  • Causes itchy blister-like rash

  • Highly contagious

9. Differences Between Parasites, Bacteria, Viruses, and Fungi

Parasites

  • Live on or inside a host

  • Cause harm to the host

  • Examples: worms, lice

  • Treated with antiparasitic medications

Bacteria

  • Single-celled organisms

  • Can live independently

  • Some are beneficial, others cause disease

  • Treated with antibiotics

Viruses

  • Not alive on their own

  • Require a host cell to reproduce

  • Antibiotics do NOT work

  • Treated with antivirals or vaccines

Fungi

  • Include yeasts and molds

  • Thrive in warm, moist areas

  • Cause infections like athlete’s foot

  • Treated with antifungals

15. Transmission-Based Precautions

Droplet Precautions

  • Diseases spread by coughing or sneezing

  • Travel about 3–6 feet

  • PPE: Surgical mask

  • Examples: Influenza, mumps

Airborne Precautions

  • Tiny particles remain in the air

  • Can travel long distances

  • PPE: N95 respirator

  • Examples: TB, measles, chickenpox

Contact Precautions

  • Spread by touching the patient or surfaces

  • PPE: Gown and gloves

  • Examples: MRSA, C. diff

16. Standard Precautions (All Patients)

Standard precautions assume all blood and body fluids are infectious.

Categories Include:

  1. Hand hygiene – wash hands before and after patient contact

  2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – gloves, gowns, masks when needed

  3. Respiratory hygiene – cover coughs, masks for symptomatic patients

  4. Sharps safety – never recap needles

  5. Safe injection practices

  6. Environmental cleaning

  7. Proper waste disposal

Used with every patient, regardless of diagnosis.

17. SDS (Safety Data Sheet)

What it is:

  • A document that explains chemical hazards

Includes:

  • Chemical ingredients

  • Health risks

  • Safe handling and storage

  • First aid measures

  • Spill cleanup procedures

Purpose:

  • Protect healthcare workers

  • Required by OSHA

18. Level of Disinfectant: Isopropyl Alcohol

  • Intermediate-level disinfectant

  • Kills:

    • Bacteria

    • Mycobacterium tuberculosis

    • Most viruses

  • Does NOT kill spores

  • Commonly used for skin prep and equipment

19. Disinfectant of Choice for Healthcare Equipment

Bleach (Chlorine)

  • Kills bacteria, viruses, fungi

  • Effective against bloodborne pathogens

  • Used for spills and equipment

EPA-approved hospital disinfectants are also acceptable.

21. What Is a Respirator (PPE)?

  • A tight-fitting mask

  • Filters airborne particles

  • Example: N95 respirator

  • Requires fit-testing

  • Used for airborne precautions

22. Disposal of Soiled Linen

Steps:

  1. Wear gloves

  2. Do NOT shake linen

  3. Hold away from body

  4. Place in designated laundry bag

  5. Remove gloves and wash hands

Purpose: Prevent spread of microorganisms

23. Definitions

Vector

  • Living organism that transmits disease

  • Example: mosquito

Fomite

  • Non-living object that carries pathogens

  • Example: doorknob, stethoscope

Exudate

  • Fluid from wounds or infection

  • Contains pus, blood, or clear fluid

24. MRSA

  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

  • Bacterial infection resistant to many antibiotics

  • Spread by direct contact

  • Requires contact precautions

  • Common in hospitals

25. Shapes of Bacteria

  • Cocci – round (grapes or chains)

  • Bacillus – rod-shaped

  • Spirillum – spiral

  • Vibrio – comma-shaped

26. Disease Descriptions

Mumps

  • Viral infection

  • Swollen salivary glands

  • Fever, headache

Rubella

  • Viral

  • Mild rash and fever

  • Dangerous during pregnancy

Measles

  • Highly contagious virus

  • High fever, cough, rash

  • Koplik spots in mouth

Influenza

  • Viral respiratory illness

  • Fever, body aches, cough

Chickenpox (Varicella)

  • Viral

  • Itchy blisters in stages

  • Spread by air and contact

27. Normal vs Abnormal Vital Signs

Adults

  • Temperature: 97.8–99.1°F

  • Pulse: 60–100 bpm

  • Respirations: 12–20/min

  • BP: <120/80 normal

Children:

  • Higher pulse and respiratory rates

  • Lower BP

Abnormal = outside expected range for age

30. Contraindications When Taking Vital Signs

Do NOT take BP on:

  • Arm with mastectomy

  • IV line

  • Dialysis fistula

  • Injury or paralysis

  • Infection or burn

Reason:

  • Risk of lymphedema, inaccurate readings, or injury