Frequently Asked Questions
Chapter 26: Infection Control

What are the links in the infection chain?

The links in the infection chain are the microorganism, the reservoir, the portal of exit, the mode of transmission, the portal of entry, and the susceptible host.

What are some host factors influencing a microorganism’s capability to produce an infectious disease?

Host factors influencing a microorganism’s capability to produce an infectious disease include the host’s age, hereditary background, stress level, nutritional status, and general health status (medical conditions and surgeries).

What is the difference between nonspecific and specific responses to infection?

Nonspecific immune responses are defenses that act against all microorganisms, such as the skin barrier; normal skin flora; mucous membranes; sneeze, cough, and tearing reflexes; an acidic environment; and the inflammatory response. Specific immune responses are the responses of particular antibodies to particular antigens or foreign particles that enter the body.

What is the difference between active and passive immunity?

Active immunity results when antibodies are formed to neutralize or destroy an infective agent. Passive immunity is acquired by the introduction of preformed antibodies, such as the passing of antibodies from mother to fetus in utero.

What are the four stages of infection?

The four stages of infection are the incubation period, the prodromal stage, the illness stage, and the convalescent stage.

What are ways to prevent nosocomial infections?

Preventive measures are avoiding urinary catheterization, thorough and frequent handwashing or use of alcohol-based hand rubs, and using clean equipment.

What is the difference between medical and surgical asepsis?

Medical asepsis incorporates practices used to reduce the number, growth, and spread of microorganisms. Surgical asepsis is sterile technique, consisting of practices that eliminate all microorganisms and spores (resting or inactive microorganisms) from an object or area.

What are the three essential elements of handwashing?

The three essential elements of handwashing are soap or chemical, water, and friction. Friction is the most important because it physically removes soil and transient flora.

What are some of the principles of aseptic technique?

Some of the principles of aseptic technique are (1) consider a moist or outdated package to be contaminated; (2) avoid reaching over sterile items to prevent contamination; (3) remove wrappers by pulling them away from the body to prevent contamination; (4) consider the edge of a sterile field to be contaminated; (5) keep forceps above waist level to prevent contamination; (6) keep forceps tips pointed downward to prevent fluid from flowing back and forth between forceps tips and your hand, which may be contaminated; (7) use forceps to cleanse a site, discarding the forceps afterward to prevent contamination of the sterile field; (8) allow only sterile items to touch sterile items; and (9) dispose of all contaminated items in a colored plastic bag to minimize the risk of transmitting infection to others.

What is “regulated medical waste,” and how should the nurse dispose of it?

Regulated medical waste includes discarded material saturated with blood, discarded body parts, cultures, and sharps. Regulated medical waste should be discarded in closable, puncture-resistant, disposable containers that are leak proof and labeled or color coded.

What are “standard precautions” and when do they apply?

Standard precautions (isolation precautions) are guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reduce the risk of infection. They apply to the handling of blood; all body fluids, secretions, excretions, and contaminated items, regardless of whether or not they contain visible blood; nonintact skin; and mucous membranes. They are based on the routes of entry (contact, droplet, and airborne transmission).

What are some of the basic components of isolation precautions?

Isolation precautions are based on the routes of entry for infection. Signs should be placed on the client’s hospital room or home door indicating the type of isolation precautions, but not the client’s medical diagnosis. The client should be placed in a private room with all supplies readily available. All supplies and equipment should be disposable. All articles leaving the room should be labeled and placed in impermeable or doubled bags. The nurse should educate clients, families, and visitors about isolation precautions.