Nursing Module 1: Safety and Infection Control
Breaking the chain of infection pp. 605, 611
What are the major goals for clients susceptible to infection?
• Maintain or restore defenses
• Avoid the spread of infectious organisms
• Reduce or alleviate problems associated with infection
How can nurses break the chain of infection?
1. Use medical and surgical aseptic techniques to prevent the
spread of infectious microorganisms
a. Important for preventing nosocomial infections
i. Using proper hand hygiene
ii. Environmental controls
iii. Sterile technique when warranted
iv. Identification and management of clients at risk for infections
2. Implement measures to support the defenses of the susceptible host
3. Teach clients about protective measures to prevent infection and the spread of infectious agents when an
infection is present
How can nurses Implement measures to support the defenses of susceptible hosts:
• Prevent spread of infection within and between individuals
• Treat the existing infection
How can nurses promote prevention of infection in older adults?
• Provide and teach ways to improve nutritional status
• Use aseptic technique
• Encourage regular immunizations for flu and pneumonia
• Be alert and act quickly to diagnose and treat signs of infection
Nosocomial infections p. 606
What are nosocomial infections?
Nosocomial infections are infections that originate in the hospital. These infections usually develop during a
hospital stay or their symptoms manifest after a person is discharged.
Who is at risk for nosocomial infections?
• Very young children or very old adults
• Ones receiving immune suppression treatment (cancer patients, chronic illness, HIV/AIDS, organ transplant)
• Ones with immune deficiency conditions (autoimmune diseases)
Signs/symptoms of infection pp. 607, 610
What are the 2 types of body defenses against infection?
1. Nonspecific defenses: protect against all microorganisms
• What are some examples of anatomic or physiological barriers?
skin and mucous membranes, nasal passages, oral
cavities, tears, urine
• What are signs of inflammatory response?
pain, swelling, redness, heat, and impaired function of the injured part
, 2. Specific (immune) defenses: directed against identifiable infectious agents
a. What are some examples of active immunity?
i. Infectious microorganism causes body to produce antibodies (natural)
ii. Vaccines or toxoids to stimulate antibody production (artificial)
b. What are some examples of passive immunity?
i. Nursing mothers breast milk that transfers antibodies (natural)
ii. Immune serum antibody injection (artificial)
What are the stages of inflammatory response?
1. Vascular and cellular responses
a. Blood vessels constrict and dilate (histamine releases)
b. More blood flows to injured site
c. Vascular permeability increases due to cell death, chemical mediators release, and histamine release
d. Fluids, proteins, and leukocytes leak into interstitial spaces (swelling and pain appears)
e. Bone produces large number of leukocytes and releases them into bloodstream (leukocytosis)
2. Exudate production
a. Fluid escapes from blood vessels, dead phagocytic cells, and dead tissue
b. Plasma protein (fibrogen), thromboplastin, and platelets form interlacing network (prevents spread of
infection)
c. Injurious agents are overcome and exudate is cleared away by lymphatic drainage
3. Reparative phase
a. Repair of injured tissue (by regeneration or
replacement of fibrous tissue (scar)
Injurious agents can be categorized as:
• Physical agents: mechanical objects causing trauma
• Chemical agents: strong acids, alkalis, poisons,
irritating gases, hydrochloric acid from stomach
• Microorganisms: bacteria, virus, fungi, parasites
Types of infection (ex: systemic, local)
What are signs of local infection? What are the signs of systemic infection?
• Localized swelling • Fever
• Localized redness • Increased pulse and respiratory rate (if fever is
• Pain or tenderness with palpation or movement high)
• Palpable heat to an infected area • Malaise and loss of energy
• Loss of function of infected area • Anorexia, nausea, vomiting
• Enlargement and tenderness of lymph nodes
Which laboratory data can indicate presence of an infection?
• Elevated leukocytes (normal = 4,500 to 11,000)
• Increase or decrease in specific types of leukocytes
• Elevated Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate
• Cultures
LIFESPAN CONSIDERATIONS for Infections
Breaking the chain of infection pp. 605, 611
What are the major goals for clients susceptible to infection?
• Maintain or restore defenses
• Avoid the spread of infectious organisms
• Reduce or alleviate problems associated with infection
How can nurses break the chain of infection?
1. Use medical and surgical aseptic techniques to prevent the
spread of infectious microorganisms
a. Important for preventing nosocomial infections
i. Using proper hand hygiene
ii. Environmental controls
iii. Sterile technique when warranted
iv. Identification and management of clients at risk for infections
2. Implement measures to support the defenses of the susceptible host
3. Teach clients about protective measures to prevent infection and the spread of infectious agents when an
infection is present
How can nurses Implement measures to support the defenses of susceptible hosts:
• Prevent spread of infection within and between individuals
• Treat the existing infection
How can nurses promote prevention of infection in older adults?
• Provide and teach ways to improve nutritional status
• Use aseptic technique
• Encourage regular immunizations for flu and pneumonia
• Be alert and act quickly to diagnose and treat signs of infection
Nosocomial infections p. 606
What are nosocomial infections?
Nosocomial infections are infections that originate in the hospital. These infections usually develop during a
hospital stay or their symptoms manifest after a person is discharged.
Who is at risk for nosocomial infections?
• Very young children or very old adults
• Ones receiving immune suppression treatment (cancer patients, chronic illness, HIV/AIDS, organ transplant)
• Ones with immune deficiency conditions (autoimmune diseases)
Signs/symptoms of infection pp. 607, 610
What are the 2 types of body defenses against infection?
1. Nonspecific defenses: protect against all microorganisms
• What are some examples of anatomic or physiological barriers?
skin and mucous membranes, nasal passages, oral
cavities, tears, urine
• What are signs of inflammatory response?
pain, swelling, redness, heat, and impaired function of the injured part
, 2. Specific (immune) defenses: directed against identifiable infectious agents
a. What are some examples of active immunity?
i. Infectious microorganism causes body to produce antibodies (natural)
ii. Vaccines or toxoids to stimulate antibody production (artificial)
b. What are some examples of passive immunity?
i. Nursing mothers breast milk that transfers antibodies (natural)
ii. Immune serum antibody injection (artificial)
What are the stages of inflammatory response?
1. Vascular and cellular responses
a. Blood vessels constrict and dilate (histamine releases)
b. More blood flows to injured site
c. Vascular permeability increases due to cell death, chemical mediators release, and histamine release
d. Fluids, proteins, and leukocytes leak into interstitial spaces (swelling and pain appears)
e. Bone produces large number of leukocytes and releases them into bloodstream (leukocytosis)
2. Exudate production
a. Fluid escapes from blood vessels, dead phagocytic cells, and dead tissue
b. Plasma protein (fibrogen), thromboplastin, and platelets form interlacing network (prevents spread of
infection)
c. Injurious agents are overcome and exudate is cleared away by lymphatic drainage
3. Reparative phase
a. Repair of injured tissue (by regeneration or
replacement of fibrous tissue (scar)
Injurious agents can be categorized as:
• Physical agents: mechanical objects causing trauma
• Chemical agents: strong acids, alkalis, poisons,
irritating gases, hydrochloric acid from stomach
• Microorganisms: bacteria, virus, fungi, parasites
Types of infection (ex: systemic, local)
What are signs of local infection? What are the signs of systemic infection?
• Localized swelling • Fever
• Localized redness • Increased pulse and respiratory rate (if fever is
• Pain or tenderness with palpation or movement high)
• Palpable heat to an infected area • Malaise and loss of energy
• Loss of function of infected area • Anorexia, nausea, vomiting
• Enlargement and tenderness of lymph nodes
Which laboratory data can indicate presence of an infection?
• Elevated leukocytes (normal = 4,500 to 11,000)
• Increase or decrease in specific types of leukocytes
• Elevated Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate
• Cultures
LIFESPAN CONSIDERATIONS for Infections
