The Concept of Infection 4e Student Copy

Page 1: Title

  • THE CONCEPT OF INFECTION

    • Dr. Letterman, RN, OCN

Page 2: Concept Learning Outcomes

  • 9.1 Analyze the process of infection in the body.

  • 9.2 Differentiate alterations that occur as a result of the infectious process.

  • 9.3 Outline the relationship between infection and other concepts.

  • 9.4 Explain health promotion and infection prevention.

  • 9.5 Differentiate common assessment procedures and tests used to examine the individual’s infection status.

  • 9.6 Analyze independent interventions nurses can implement for patients with infection.

  • 9.7 Summarize collaborative therapies used by interprofessional teams for patients with infections.

  • 9.8 Differentiate considerations related to the assessment and care of patients with infections throughout the lifespan.

Page 3: Overview

  • Activity:

    • Work with a peer for 5 minutes to fill out the “Pre-” section of the Anticipation Guide.

    • Discuss known facts about infections, including personal clinical experiences and observations.

Page 4: Normal Presentation

  • Definition of Infection:

    • Invasion of body tissue by microorganisms with potential to cause illness or disease.

  • Major Defense:

    • Nurses play a key role in creating a biologically safe environment.

Page 5: Normal Presentation (cont.)

  • Communicable Diseases:

    • Transmitted directly or indirectly.

    • Efforts at various levels (international, national, state, community) aim to control microorganism spread and protect against infections.

    • Microorganisms have varied characteristics.

Page 6: Types of Microorganisms

  • Categories:

    • Fungi

    • Bacteria

    • Viruses

    • Protozoa

    • Parasites

  • Specifics about each type:

    • Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa all play different roles in infections.

Page 7: Types of Infections

  • Forms of Infection:

    • Colonization

    • Infection

    • Local

    • Systemic

    • Acute

    • Chronic

    • Bacteremia

Page 8: Chain of Infection

  • Components of Infection Chain:

    1. Etiological agent

    2. Reservoir

    3. Portal of exit from the reservoir

    4. Method of transmission

    5. Portal of entry

    6. Susceptible host

Page 9: NCLEX Question

  • Effective Discussion Statement:

    • “Proper hand hygiene is the key to reducing the spread of infection.”

    • Other options underline varying views on preventive methods.

Page 10: Physiology

  • Defense Mechanisms:

    • Skin, lungs, blood-brain barrier, liver: provide anatomic and physiologic barriers.

  • Functions of specific organs:

    • Tears (eyes)

    • Gastric acids (stomach)

    • Saliva and lysozyme (digestive tract)

Page 11: Genetic Considerations

  • Heredity and age influence susceptibility to infections.

  • Genetic susceptibility can lead to heightened risk for certain infections.

Page 12: Alterations

  • Responses:

    • Inflammatory and immune responses.

  • Influences on Infection Development:

    • Modern medicine and poor hygiene behaviors facilitating transmission.

Page 13: Pathogens

  • Types of Pathogens:

    • Fungi, viruses, helminths, bacteria, toxins, prions, and parasites evolve to facilitate transmission.

Page 15: Stages of the Infectious Process

  • Four Stages:

    1. Incubation period

    2. Prodromal stage

    3. Illness stage

    4. Convalescent stage

Page 16: Alterations and Manifestations

  • Infections lead to predictable diseases, often resulting in healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) during patient stays.

    • Top 3 types of sources:

    • Various potential sources of infections.

Page 17: Alterations and Manifestations (cont.)

  • Antibiotic-resistant Bacteria:

    • Recognition of current resistant strains such as MRSA, MDR-TB, etc.

    • Potential biological threat infections include anthrax and smallpox.

Page 19: Case Study

  • Patient Profile:

    • Sam Werner, 58, with symptoms suggestive of infection post-chemotherapy.

  • Findings:

    • Elevated temperature, coughing blood, subsequent diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia.

Page 20: Clinical Reasoning Questions Level I

  1. Identify physical symptoms indicating infection.

  2. Suggest nursing interventions for symptom relief.

  3. Outline safety precautions for cleaning bloody sputum.

  4. Anticipate CBC results.

  5. Recommend other diagnostic tests.

Page 21: Risk Factors & Prevention

  • Risk Factors:

    • Radiation, comorbidities that weaken defenses, diagnostic procedures.

  • Prevention Strategies:

    • Good hand hygiene, immunizations, precautions.

Page 22: Health Promotion

  • Emphasize:

    • Hygiene, nutrition, hydration, sleep, stress management, immunizations.

Page 23: Prevention: Disinfecting & Sterilizing

  • Definitions:

    • Disinfection: destroys most microorganisms.

    • Sterilization: destroys all microorganisms.

    • Antiseptic: used in living tissues.

Page 24: Prevention: Isolation Precautions

  • Types of Precautions:

    • Category-specific vs. disease-specific, universal, body substance isolation.

  • CDC Guidelines:

    • Advisory Committee on isolation practices.

Page 25: Prevention: Isolation Practices

  • Practices Include:

    • Aseptic techniques, disposal of soiled equipment, protective equipment for infected patients.

Page 26: Questions and Notes

  • Plan of Care:

    • Adheres to strict hygiene protocols in the defined areas.

Page 27: Prevention: Sterile Technique

  • Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a sterile field and proper use of sterile gloves and gowns.

Page 28: Preventing Healthcare Associated Infections

  • Stress the importance of effective hand hygiene and minimizing invasive procedures where possible.

Page 29: Nursing Process: Assessment

  • Focus on timing and observation for sepsis detection:

    • Consider symptoms such as temperature irregularities, mental decline, extreme illness.

Page 30: Diagnostic Tests

  • Important tests include:

    • CBC, procalcitonin levels, cultures, serologic tests, and imaging studies.

Page 31: NCLEX Question

  • Anticipated test for shortness of breath and fever:

    • “C. Sputum culture and sensitivity.”

Page 32: Nursing Process: Interventions

  • Tailor interventions to patient needs, emphasizing the goals of infection transmission prevention and patient care in isolation.

Page 33: Pharmacologic and Nonpharmacologic Therapy

  • Overview of pharmacologic options including various classes of antibiotics and antifungals.

  • Nonpharmacologic methods include hydration and nutritional support.

Page 35: Lifespan Considerations: Newborns, Infants, Children

  • Young populations exhibit immature immune systems and are highly susceptible to infections, often viral.

Page 36: Lifespan Considerations: Pregnant Women

  • Discuss implications of infections during pregnancy that can impact the fetus and necessary precautions.

Page 37: Lifespan Considerations: Older Adults

  • Recognizing age-related vulnerabilities, including nutritional requirements and changes in immunity.

Page 38: NCLEX Question

  • Problem-solving in pediatric infections: prioritize nursing interventions such as administering fluids and monitoring I/O.

Page 39: Questions??

  • Final collaborative peer reflection on gained knowledge post-session.