Questions and CORRECT Answers
List the parts of the chain of infection (in order): - CORRECT ANSWER - - infectious
agent
- reservoir
- portal of exit
- mode of transmission
- portal of entry
- susceptible host
infectious agent - CORRECT ANSWER - something that contains bacteria, fungi, virus,
parasite(s), or prion(s)
reservoir - CORRECT ANSWER - the habitat of the infectious agent and is where it lives,
grows, and reproduces itself or replicates
animate examples: people, insects, birds, animals
inanimate examples: contaminated soil, water, food, medical equipment, IV fluids, feces
portal of exit - CORRECT ANSWER - the means by which the infectious agent can leave
the reservoir
examples: any body orifice (ears, nose, or mouth), the skin, or blood or body fluids that leave the
body through coughing, sneezing, etc.
mode of transmission - CORRECT ANSWER - how a bacteria, virus, fungus, parasite, or
prion moves from place to place
,contact transmission - CORRECT ANSWER - occurs when microorganisms move from
an infected person to another person
droplet transmission - CORRECT ANSWER - occurs when airborne droplets from the
respiratory tract of a client travel through the air and into the mucosa of a host
can be from sneezing, coughing, singing, and talking
medical procedures like CPR and intubation can release droplets into the air
airborne transmission - CORRECT ANSWER - occurs when small particulates move into
the airspace of another person and carry infectious agents
these patients should be placed in a private room with negative air pressure (circulates the air
outside of the building)
portal of entry - CORRECT ANSWER - provides a place for an infectious agent to enter
the individual so it can replicate or its toxin can act
examples: any body orifice or the skin
List factors that increase host susceptibility (8): - CORRECT ANSWER - - age
- underlying disease (like HIV/AIDS)
- malignancy
- transplants
- medications (like immunosuppressants, antirejection meds, etc.)
- surgical procedures
- radiation therapy
- indwelling devices (like urinary catheters, central lines, etc.)
,List the modes of transmission (5): - CORRECT ANSWER - - contact
- droplet
- airborne
- vector
- vehicle
vehicle transmission - CORRECT ANSWER - transmission of infectious agents to
multiple individuals through a common source, such as contaminated food or water
example: food contaminated with e. coli
vector transmission - CORRECT ANSWER - transmission of infectious agents through
animals, such as an inset or rodent
examples: mosquitoes and rats
Who can be a susceptible host? (4) - CORRECT ANSWER - - elderly
- infants
- immunocompromised
- anyone
What are the 2 types of contact transmission? - CORRECT ANSWER - - direct
- indirect
direct contact - CORRECT ANSWER - transmission occurs when microorganisms are
directly moved from the infected person to another person without having a contaminated object
or person between the 2
, indirect contact - CORRECT ANSWER - transmission occurs when microorganisms are
moved from the infected person to another person with a contaminated object or person between
the 2
List infections caused by airborne transmission (3): - CORRECT ANSWER - -
tuberculosis
- rubeola (measles)
- varicella (chickenpox)
List 2 infections spread through droplet transmission: - CORRECT ANSWER - -
influenza virus
- Bordetella pertussis
What type of transmission is the following an example of?
A patient has a draining, infected wound. The drainage touches a cut on the nurse's skin, leading
to infection. - CORRECT ANSWER - direct contact transmission
What type of transmission is the following an example of?
A patient who has a respiratory infection sneezes without covering the mouth and nose. A person
a few feet away becomes infected because large mucus particles land in their mouth. -
CORRECT ANSWER - droplet transmission
What type of transmission is the following an example of?
A patient who coughed in their hand touches a door handle. Another person touches the same
door handle and becomes infected with the same pathogen as the patient. - CORRECT
ANSWER - indirect contact transmission
What type of transmission is the following an example of?