NR226 - FUNDAMENTALS FINAL EXAM - PART 1 QUESTIONS
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTION
Infection
The invasion of a susceptible host by pathogens or microorganisms, resulting in disease
Colonization
Occurs when a microorganism invades the host but does not cause infection. You may
get colonized and not realize you are carrying an infection
Asymptomatic
Clinical signs and symptoms are not present in an infection
Types of Infecting Agents
Bacteria, Fungus, Protozoa, or Virus
Communicable Disease
The infectious disease transmitted from one person to another, easily spread
Most Important Way to Prevent Infection
Hand Hygiene
Chain of Infection
Portal of entry, host, infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, and
then back to portal of entry, and it continues in a cycle.
Reservoir
A place where microorganisms survive, multiply, and await transfer to a susceptible host
Transmission Through Direct Contact
Person to person
Person to source
Transmission Through Indirect Contact
Person to inanimate object
Transmission Through Droplet
Coughing, sneezing, talking (large particle only 3ft)
Transmission Through Airborne
Droplet nuclei or residue suspended in air or carried on dust particles
Transmission Through Vehicles
Food, water, drugs and solutions, blood, fomites (organic something)
Transmission Through Vector
External transfer
Internal transmission (parasitic)
Mosquito, louse, flea, tick
Immunocompromised
Having an impaired immune system
Virulence
The ability to produce disease, how strong the disease is, the intensity of the disease
Aerobic Bacteria
Requires oxygen for survival and for multiplication sufficient to cause disease
Anaerobic Bacteria
Thrive where little or no oxygen is available
,Bacteriostasis
Prevention of growth and reproduction of bacteria
Bactericidal
Destructive to bacteria
Four Stages of Infection
1. Incubation Period
2. Prodromal Stage
3. Illness Stage
4. Convalescence
Incubation Period
The first stage of the infectious process. It is the time interval between entrance of the
pathogen and appearance of the first symptoms.
Prodromal Stage
The second stage of the infectious process. It is the interval between onset of
nonspecific symptoms to more specific symptoms. You don't feel well, but you aren't
sure why
Illness Stage
The third stage of the infectious process. The interval when a patient manifests signs
and symptoms specific to the type of infection. You have the illness and can confirm
what it is
Convalescence
The interval when acute symptoms of infection disappear, you start feeling better.
Localized Infection
Patient experiences symptoms in one specific area, the infection is in one spot. There is
no fever (fever means it's systemic)
Systemic Infection
An infection that affects the entire body, it can be fatal if not detected or untreated.
Normal Flora
Microorganisms that reside normally in our body. They help resist infection by releasing
antibacterial substances and inhibiting multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms
Body Defense Mechanisms Against Infection
Normal flora, intact skin, mucus membranes, cilli in respiratory system, fever,
inflammation, vascular and cellular response, and tissue repair
Inflammation
Vascular and cellular response leads to blood gathering in the area, exudates appear
(serous=clear, sanguineous=red, purulent=white/yellow), tissue repair
Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI)
Also called nosocomial infection, results from delivery of health services in a health care
facility. Can occur as the result of invasive procedures, antibiotic administration, the
presence of multidrug-resistant organisms, and breaks in infection prevention and
control activities
Patients at Risk for HAI
If the patient has multiple illnesses, older adults, poorly nourished, lowered resistance to
infection critical/chronic illness, invasive treatment devices, many procedures, and
young children
Major Sites for HAI Infections
, Surgical or traumatic wounds, urinary and respiratory tracts, bloodstream, any skin
openings, and breaks in mucus membranes
Iatrogenic HAI
HAI from a diagnostic/therapeutic procedure
Ex) a dialysis patient repeatedly coming to the hospital, a patient with a catheter
inserted poorly or cleaned poorly
Exogenous
From microorganisms found outside the individual
Endogenous
Occurs when part of the client's flora becomes altered and an overgrowth results
Ex) c.diff
Standard Precautions
Prevent and control infection and its spread.
Medical Asepsis
Controlling pathogen, hand hygiene, common on home, ECF, assisted living
Sterile Asepsis
Killing or eliminating the pathogen, scrub (surgical), PPE sterile handling, common in
hospitals
Principles of Surgical Asepsis
1. A sterile object only remains sterile if touched by another sterile object
2. Only sterile objects may be placed in a sterile field
3. A sterile object or field out of range of vision or an object held below a persons waist
is contaminated
4. A sterile object or field becomes contaminated by prolonged exposure to air
5. When a sterile surface comes in contact with a wet, contaminated surface, the sterile
object or field becomes contaminated by capillary action
6. Fluid flows the in the direction of gravity
7. The edges of a sterile field or container are considered contaminated
Disinfection
A process that eliminates many or all microorganisms, with the exception of bacterial
spores, from inanimate objects
Autoclave
A very high temperature disinfectious process, required for some items like endoscopes
Sterilization
The complete elimination or destruction of all microorganisms, including spores. Usually
in an OR
Infection Prevention and Control
-Bathing
-Dressing changes (to prevent microorganism growth)
-Contaminated articles/sharps
-Bedside unit clean and dry
-Bottles solutions (keep closed, date, time and initial when you open it, saline is only
usable for 24 hours after opening)
-Hand hygiene
-Current vaccinations
-
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTION
Infection
The invasion of a susceptible host by pathogens or microorganisms, resulting in disease
Colonization
Occurs when a microorganism invades the host but does not cause infection. You may
get colonized and not realize you are carrying an infection
Asymptomatic
Clinical signs and symptoms are not present in an infection
Types of Infecting Agents
Bacteria, Fungus, Protozoa, or Virus
Communicable Disease
The infectious disease transmitted from one person to another, easily spread
Most Important Way to Prevent Infection
Hand Hygiene
Chain of Infection
Portal of entry, host, infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, and
then back to portal of entry, and it continues in a cycle.
Reservoir
A place where microorganisms survive, multiply, and await transfer to a susceptible host
Transmission Through Direct Contact
Person to person
Person to source
Transmission Through Indirect Contact
Person to inanimate object
Transmission Through Droplet
Coughing, sneezing, talking (large particle only 3ft)
Transmission Through Airborne
Droplet nuclei or residue suspended in air or carried on dust particles
Transmission Through Vehicles
Food, water, drugs and solutions, blood, fomites (organic something)
Transmission Through Vector
External transfer
Internal transmission (parasitic)
Mosquito, louse, flea, tick
Immunocompromised
Having an impaired immune system
Virulence
The ability to produce disease, how strong the disease is, the intensity of the disease
Aerobic Bacteria
Requires oxygen for survival and for multiplication sufficient to cause disease
Anaerobic Bacteria
Thrive where little or no oxygen is available
,Bacteriostasis
Prevention of growth and reproduction of bacteria
Bactericidal
Destructive to bacteria
Four Stages of Infection
1. Incubation Period
2. Prodromal Stage
3. Illness Stage
4. Convalescence
Incubation Period
The first stage of the infectious process. It is the time interval between entrance of the
pathogen and appearance of the first symptoms.
Prodromal Stage
The second stage of the infectious process. It is the interval between onset of
nonspecific symptoms to more specific symptoms. You don't feel well, but you aren't
sure why
Illness Stage
The third stage of the infectious process. The interval when a patient manifests signs
and symptoms specific to the type of infection. You have the illness and can confirm
what it is
Convalescence
The interval when acute symptoms of infection disappear, you start feeling better.
Localized Infection
Patient experiences symptoms in one specific area, the infection is in one spot. There is
no fever (fever means it's systemic)
Systemic Infection
An infection that affects the entire body, it can be fatal if not detected or untreated.
Normal Flora
Microorganisms that reside normally in our body. They help resist infection by releasing
antibacterial substances and inhibiting multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms
Body Defense Mechanisms Against Infection
Normal flora, intact skin, mucus membranes, cilli in respiratory system, fever,
inflammation, vascular and cellular response, and tissue repair
Inflammation
Vascular and cellular response leads to blood gathering in the area, exudates appear
(serous=clear, sanguineous=red, purulent=white/yellow), tissue repair
Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI)
Also called nosocomial infection, results from delivery of health services in a health care
facility. Can occur as the result of invasive procedures, antibiotic administration, the
presence of multidrug-resistant organisms, and breaks in infection prevention and
control activities
Patients at Risk for HAI
If the patient has multiple illnesses, older adults, poorly nourished, lowered resistance to
infection critical/chronic illness, invasive treatment devices, many procedures, and
young children
Major Sites for HAI Infections
, Surgical or traumatic wounds, urinary and respiratory tracts, bloodstream, any skin
openings, and breaks in mucus membranes
Iatrogenic HAI
HAI from a diagnostic/therapeutic procedure
Ex) a dialysis patient repeatedly coming to the hospital, a patient with a catheter
inserted poorly or cleaned poorly
Exogenous
From microorganisms found outside the individual
Endogenous
Occurs when part of the client's flora becomes altered and an overgrowth results
Ex) c.diff
Standard Precautions
Prevent and control infection and its spread.
Medical Asepsis
Controlling pathogen, hand hygiene, common on home, ECF, assisted living
Sterile Asepsis
Killing or eliminating the pathogen, scrub (surgical), PPE sterile handling, common in
hospitals
Principles of Surgical Asepsis
1. A sterile object only remains sterile if touched by another sterile object
2. Only sterile objects may be placed in a sterile field
3. A sterile object or field out of range of vision or an object held below a persons waist
is contaminated
4. A sterile object or field becomes contaminated by prolonged exposure to air
5. When a sterile surface comes in contact with a wet, contaminated surface, the sterile
object or field becomes contaminated by capillary action
6. Fluid flows the in the direction of gravity
7. The edges of a sterile field or container are considered contaminated
Disinfection
A process that eliminates many or all microorganisms, with the exception of bacterial
spores, from inanimate objects
Autoclave
A very high temperature disinfectious process, required for some items like endoscopes
Sterilization
The complete elimination or destruction of all microorganisms, including spores. Usually
in an OR
Infection Prevention and Control
-Bathing
-Dressing changes (to prevent microorganism growth)
-Contaminated articles/sharps
-Bedside unit clean and dry
-Bottles solutions (keep closed, date, time and initial when you open it, saline is only
usable for 24 hours after opening)
-Hand hygiene
-Current vaccinations
-
