Microorganisms Correct Answer - - most are not pathogenic
(carrying disease)
- those that are capable of causing illness are called pathogens
Communicable disease Correct Answer - infectious, contagious
Why practice infection control? Correct Answer - - protect
patients from acquiring infections
- protect healthcare workers from becoming infected
Hospital acquired infections (HAI); nosocomial, iatrogenic Correct
Answer - infections that were not present when the patient was
admitted (developed in a hospital setting)
Six parts of chain of infection Correct Answer - 1. infectious
agent
2. susceptible host
3. portal of entry
4. mode of transmission
5. portal of exit
6. reservoir
Infectious Agent Correct Answer - Microorganisms such as
bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa cause infection.
Susceptible host Correct Answer - someone able to become
infected
Susceptibility depends on: Correct Answer - - age
- nutrition and protein intake
- stress
- chronic disease
, - medical therapies/immunosuppression
- immunization and actual contraction of the disease (i.e. chicken
pox immunity)
The way the infectious agent enters the body Correct Answer -
Portal of entry
Mucous membrane; respiratory system, digestive system, broken
skin Correct Answer - Portal of entry of an infectious agent
Portal of exit Correct Answer - •Path away from the reservoir
•Required to enter another host
•Natural (eg. mouth, nares) and artificial openings (eg. catheters)
sample portal exits Correct Answer - secretions
blood
excretions
skin
reservoir Correct Answer - •Place where a pathogen can
survive or grow
i.e., People, Water, Food
colonized Correct Answer - pathogen is present but is not
causing harm
carrier Correct Answer - a symptomatic but can transfer to
others
direct contact Correct Answer - open lesions
indirect contact Correct Answer - worker's hands or a
contaminated stethoscope