A nurse is caring for a client who has severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The
nurse knows that health care professional are required to report communicable and
infectious diseases. Which of the following illustrate the rationale for reporting? (select
all the apply)
A. Planning and evaluating control and prevention strategies
B. Determining public health priorities
C. Ensuring proper medical treatment
D. Identifying endemic disease
E. Monitoring for common-source outbreaks
A nurse is caring for a client who has had a cough for 3 weeks and is beginning to
cough up blood. The client has manifestations of which of the following conditions?
A. allergic reaction
B. ringworm
C. systemic lupus erythematosus
D. Tuberculosis
A nurse is caring for a client who repots a severe throat, pain when swallowing, and
swollen lymph nodes. The client has manifestations of which of the following
conditions?
A. prodromal
B. ringworm
C. convalescence
D. Illness
A charge nurse is reviewing with a newly hired nurse the difference in manifestations of
a localized vs a systemic infection. Which of the following are manifestations of a
systemic infection. (select all that apply)
A. Fever
B. Malaise
C. Edema
D. Pain or tenderness
E. Increase in pulse and respiratory rate
A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client who is being admitted to the facility
w/a suspected diagnosis of pertussis. Which of the following should the nurse include in
, the plan of care? Select all.
A. Place the client in a room that has negative air pressure of at least 6 exchanges/hr
B. Wear a mask when providing care within 3 ft of the client
C. Place a surgical mask on the client if transportation to another dept is unavoidable
D. Use sterile gloves when handling soiled linens
E. Wear a gown when preforming care that may result in contamination from secretions
What is an infection?
occurs when a pathogen is present and leads to a chain of events
What is the best prevention against HAIs?
Hand hygiene
Iatrogenic infections
result from diagnostic or therapeutic procedures
Transmission Chain of Infection
1. Causative agent
2. Reservoir
3. Portal of exit
4. Mode of transmission
5. Portal of entry
6. Susceptible host
Transmission chain of infection example of MRSA and the Wrestler
1. Causative agent- MRSA
2. Reservoir- Athlete
3. Portal of exit- Contact w/ mat
4. Mode of transmission- skin contact w/ gear
5. Portal of entry- nose, skin lesion, mouth
6. Susceptible host- broken skin, compromised, brewed skin
What is the reservoir in the chain of infection?
where pathogens can live and multiply,
ex. human, animal, food, or organic matter
What is the portal of exit in the chain of infection?
where the pathogen can leave the reservoir and spread
ex body fluids, respiratory, GI tract, skin, MM
What are the stages of an infection?
1. Incubation-Interval between the pathogen entering the body and presentation of the
first finding
2. Prodromal stage-Interval from onset to more distinct findings, the pathogen multiples