Infection control module

Question 1

what two viruses caused the CDC to introduce universal precautions?

Answer 1

• human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV)

Question 2

what is the chain of infection?

Answer 2

• infectious agent
• reservoir
• portal of exit
• mode of transmission
• portal of entry
• susceptible host

Question 3

what are the most common forms of infectious agents?

Answer 3

• viruses
• bacteria
• fungi
• protozoa

Question 4

what is an environment conducive to pathogen survival known as, and what are some examples?

Answer 4

• a reservoir
• the patient, a piece of medical equipment, a piece of administrative equipment (pens, pencils, clipboard)

Question 5

what is a portal of exit?

Answer 5

• the passageway that the pathogen uses to exit the reservoir
• can be infected body fluids

Question 6

what are the two modes of transmission?

Answer 6

• direct: takes place when there i direct contact with the infected person or body fluid that is carrying the pathogen
• indirect: occurs when there is an intermediate step between the portal of exit and portal of entry; either fomites or vectors play a role in indirect transmission

Question 7

what is a fomite?

Answer 7

• any non living object or substance capable of carrying infectious organisms (e.g. catheters, tubing, hemostats)

Question 8

what is a vector?

Answer 8

• a carrier (either animals or insect) that can transmit disease

Question 9

what is a portal of entry?

Answer 9

• the way pathogens enter into a host
• pathogens often enter into a host via an open wound or through the mouth, nose, eyes, intestines, urinary tract, or reproductive system

Question 10

what is a susceptible host?

Answer 10

• an environment the transmitted pathogen can live in as the last step in the chain of infection
• several variables of the human body, especially a compromised patient, make the ideal susceptible host
• factors such as overall health, age, and the condition of a person’s immune system all affect the chances of them becoming a host for disease transmission

Question 11

what is asepsis?

Answer 11

• the condition of being free from infection or infectious material

Question 12

what is medical asepsis?

Answer 12

• a clean technique
• the practice designed to reduce the number and transfer of pathogens
• helps in breaking the chain of infection

Question 13

what is surgical asepsis?

Answer 13

• the complete removal of microorganisms and their spores from the surface of an object

Question 14

what is sanitization?

Answer 14

• reducing the number of microorganisms by removing debris with soap and water prior to disinfecting

Question 15

what is disinfection, and what is a common disinfectant?

Answer 15

• to clean something (e.g. work area, equipment) using chemicals that kill pathogens but not their spores
• glutaraldehyde (usually requires a long submersion time in order to be fully effective
• 1:10 bleach solution
• NOT used on patients

Question 16

what is sterilization?

Answer 16

• a technique for destroying pathogens and their spores on inanimate objects, using heat, water, chemicals, or gases
• necessary for surgical asepsis

Question 17

what are some methods that can be used in the sterilization of medical equipment?

Answer 17

• dry heat
• gas
• chemicals
• ultraviolet radiation
• ionizing radiation
• steam under pressure in an autoclave

Question 18

explain the sterilization process of endoscopes

Answer 18

• pre-cleaning: done immediately after the endoscope has been removed from the patient, this consists of wiping the tube with a wet cloth and then soaking the tube in a cleaning solution
• leak testing: use air, pressure, and water to determine if any damage to the endoscope has occurred
• manual cleaning: use the recommended cleaning solution to manually remove debris from the internal and external surfaces of the endoscope
• rinse after cleaning: rinse all parts of the endoscope with clean water to further reduce the chances of any debris or cleaning solution from remaining
• high-level disinfection: use the recommended high-level disinfectant that the manufacturer suggests for immersion and flushing of endoscope pieces
• rinse after high-level disinfection: rinse all parts to assure no residual chemical disinfectant remains on the endoscope
• drying: rinse all parts with alcohol and then dry with forced air; store the endoscope vertically in a clean, dry, and dust-free environment

Question 19

should needles be recapped?

Answer 19

never

Question 20

when should a sharps container be sealed and placed in the designated area for disposal?

Answer 20

• when the container is two-thirds full