Guide and Learning Outcomes
Stages of Infection - ✔✔Incubation stage, prodromal stage, illness stage, and convalescence
stage.
Incubation stage of infection - ✔✔Begins with the entry of the pathogen into the host and
ends when the signs and symptoms of infection begin to appear.
Prodromal stage of infection - ✔✔Begins with the onset of symptoms and is characterized with
the replication and reproduction of the pathogen; the signs and symptoms of this stage include
generalized malaise, joint and muscular aches and pains, anorexia, and the presence of a
headache.
Illness stage of infection - ✔✔Period of time that begins with continuation of the signs and
symptoms and continues until the symptoms are no longer as serious as they were before.
Convalescence stage of infection - ✔✔Period of recovery during which the symptoms
completely disappear.
Inflammatory process - ✔✔Naturally occurring protective response of the body to a threat in
terms of tissue damage; this process defends the body against harm, it aims to rid the body of
damaged tissue and it promotes the restoration of normal tissue.
five classic signs and symptoms of inflammation - ✔✔pain, redness, swelling, heat, warmth,
and dysfunction of the area.
Phases of the inflammatory process - ✔✔Tissue injury as the result of the injury
,The release of chemicals, such as kinins, histamine and prostaglandins from the damaged cells
and tissues. These chemicals are vasodilators that increase the blood supply to the damaged
cells and tissues.
The natural, defensive movement and migration of leukocytes, including macrophages and
neutrophils, to the areas where cellular and tissue damage has occurred
Adaptive Immunity - ✔✔Active and passive immunity which, simply stated, are the deliberate
or deliberate exposure to a pathogen and the acquisition of antibodies or activated T cells in the
body, respectively.
Active Immunity - ✔✔result of our bodily response to the presence of an antigen, with the
development of antibodies.
Natural Active Immunity - ✔✔occurs when the body produces antibodies after the client is
infected with a pathogen
Artificial Active Immunity - ✔✔occurs when the body produces antibodies to an immunization
vaccine such as those for pneumonia and a wide variety of childhood infectious diseases.
Passive Immunity - ✔✔occurs when an antibody is introduced into the body by either natural
or artificial means.
Passive Natural Immunity - ✔✔occurs when the fetus and neonate receive immunity as a
natural process through the placenta.
Passive Artificial Immunity - ✔✔passive artificial immunity occurs when the client receives an
injection of immune globulin.
Healthcare acquired infections - ✔✔Infections that were contracted after the first health care
contact or admission Usually passed along by the hands of the healthcare provider
, Risk factors that impact the frequency and occurrence of healthcare acquired infection -
✔✔Immunosuppression, close living quarters that clients and residents share, prolonged state
of illness that many patients have, surgeries, and some treatments that clients get (e.g.,
placement of an indwelling urinary catheter, chemotherapy, or the placement of an intubation
tube.)
Most common pathogenic microorganisms that lead to healthcare acquired infections - ✔✔E.
coli, staphylococcus aureus, pseudomonas aeruginosa, candida albicans, and enterococcus.
Primary locations for healthcare acquired infections - ✔✔surgical wounds, urinary tract,
respiratory tract, and the blood stream.
Medical Asepsis - ✔✔Infection control principle and practice that decreases the spread of
infection. Reduces the number of pathogenic microorganisms and it also impairs the
proliferation and growth of microorganisms.
Surgical Asepsis - ✔✔Eliminates all microorganisms. Applied when the skin isn't intact, and
when internal areas of the body are being entered, cared for, or treated. Used for wound care,
during all invasive procedures including surgical procedures and other invasive procedures such
as endoscopy for the administration of IV meds, for wound care, and the insertion of indwelling
urinary catheter as well as other internally placed tubes like central lines and peripheral
intravenous lines.
Infection control precautions implemented by staff members - ✔✔Hand hygiene,
Universal/standard precautions, special transmission precautions and isolation, personal
protective equipment.
Hand Hygiene - ✔✔Most effective way to prevent the spread of infection and is done with
friction and regular soap and water or special alcohol-based hand sanitizing antimicrobial
solution for at least 20 seconds.