lOMoARcPSD|52942330
Exam_2_Blueprint_Nursing_Fundamental_
Concepts_Herzing_University
, lOMoARcPSD|52942330
Unit 4 3 Hygiene Practices, Notes from PowerPoints/Class Lecture
Infection and Asepsis
Infection cycle steps Infection: disease state that results from the presence of pathogens (disease-producing
a. Infectious agent microorganisms) in or on the body
b. Reservoir
c. Portal of exit Goal of infection cycle 3 break the links of chain to end the cycle
d. Means of
transmission 1. Infectious agent
e. Portal of entry o Bacteria 3 most significant and common infection-causing agents in healthcare
f. Susceptible host o Viruses 3 smallest of all; visible only w/ electron microscope
o Fungi 3 plant-like organisms (mold/yeast); found in air, soil, and water
o Aerobic bacteria require oxygen to live and grow
o Anaerobic bacteria can live without oxygen-
2. Reservoir: growth and multiplication of microorganisms in its natural habitat
o People, animals, soil, food, water, milk, inanimate objects
3. Portal of exit: point of escape for organism from reservoir
o Respiratory, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary tracts + breaks in skin
o Blood and tissue can also be portals of exit
o Organism cannot extend its influence until it moves away from its original
reservoir
4. Means of transmission
o Direct contact 3 requires close proximity between host and infected person or
carrier (ex. touching, kissing)
o Indirect contact 3 personal contact w/ vector (living creature that transmits
infectious agent to human); or fomite (inanimate object such as equipment or
countertops)
o Airborne 3 less than 5mcm
o Droplet 3 greater than 5 mcm
5. Portal of entry: point at which organisms enter a new host; must find a portal of
entry or it will die off
o Skin, respiratory, GI, and GU tracts are common portals of entry and exit
6. Susceptible host: degree of resistance the potential host has to the pathogen
o Microorganisms only survive in a source that provides a shelter and
nourishment aka a host
o And if they overcome any resistance mounted by the host9s defense system
Stages of infection Incubation: interval between pathogen9s invasion and appearance of symptoms
a. Incubation o Organisms are growing and multiplying
b. Prodromal o Length of incubation varies
c. Full (acute) stage of
illness Prodromal: most infectious stage; early signs and symptoms of disease are present but
d. Convalescent period are often vague and nonspecific
o Ranges from fatigue and malaise to a low-grade fever
o Lasts from several hours to several days
Full (acute) stage of illness: presence of infection-specific signs and symptoms
o Infection type determines length of illness and severity of manifestations
o Localized symptoms 3 limited and occur in only 1 body area
, lOMoARcPSD|52942330
o Systemic symptoms 3 occurs throughout the entire body
Convalescent: recovery from infection
o Varies according to severity and pt9s general condition
o Signs and symptoms disappear and pt returns to healthy state
Factors affecting risk for o Integrity of skin and mucous membranes 3 protects the body against microbial
infection invasion
o pH levels of GI and GU tract and skin 3 ward off microbial invasion
o Integrity and # of WBCs 3 provide resistance to certain pathogens
o Age, sex, race, heredity influencing susceptibility 3 neonates and older adults
are more vulnerable to infection
o Immunizations (natural or acquired) 3 resist infection
o Levels of fatigue, nutritional, general health status, presence of pre-existing
illnesses, prev or current treatments, meds 3 susceptibility of potential host
o Stress level 3 if increased may adversely affect the body9s normal defense
mechanism
o Use of invasive or indwelling medical device
Factors to reduce risk of Factors to reduce risk of infection
infection and nursing process o Adequate nutrition, rest, and exercise
o Stress reduction
o Good personal hygiene
o Safe sex practices
Assessment of infection 3 begins w/ early detection and surveillance (ask about
immunizations, prev/recurring infections, observe nonverbal cues, hx of current
disease, s/s)
o Localized infection = redness, swelling, warmth in involved area, pain or
tenderness, loss of function in affected part
o Systemic infection = fever, increase in pulse and RR, lethargy, tenderness and
enlargement of lymph nodes, anorexia
Diagnosis of infection 3 focus of nursing care depends on a nursing diagnosis that
accurately reflects the pt9s condition
Planning/outcome 3 identifying pt goals
o Short-term goal: accomplished by end of shift/day
o Long term goal: discharge goals to work on at home
When to perform hand Hand hygiene is the most effective way to help prevent the spread of infectious agents.
hygiene There is a consensus that most healthcare associated pathogens are transmitted via
contaminated hands of healthcare workers
Prevention of HAIs
WHO defined 5 moments for hand hygiene
Resistant organisms o Before touching a pt
o Before a clean or aseptic procedure
Precaution techniques o After body fluid exposure risk
o After touching a pt
o After touching pt surroundings
When alcohol-based hand rubs can be used to decontaminate hands - cover all
surfaces of hands and rub for at least 15 secs or until hands are dry
Exam_2_Blueprint_Nursing_Fundamental_
Concepts_Herzing_University
, lOMoARcPSD|52942330
Unit 4 3 Hygiene Practices, Notes from PowerPoints/Class Lecture
Infection and Asepsis
Infection cycle steps Infection: disease state that results from the presence of pathogens (disease-producing
a. Infectious agent microorganisms) in or on the body
b. Reservoir
c. Portal of exit Goal of infection cycle 3 break the links of chain to end the cycle
d. Means of
transmission 1. Infectious agent
e. Portal of entry o Bacteria 3 most significant and common infection-causing agents in healthcare
f. Susceptible host o Viruses 3 smallest of all; visible only w/ electron microscope
o Fungi 3 plant-like organisms (mold/yeast); found in air, soil, and water
o Aerobic bacteria require oxygen to live and grow
o Anaerobic bacteria can live without oxygen-
2. Reservoir: growth and multiplication of microorganisms in its natural habitat
o People, animals, soil, food, water, milk, inanimate objects
3. Portal of exit: point of escape for organism from reservoir
o Respiratory, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary tracts + breaks in skin
o Blood and tissue can also be portals of exit
o Organism cannot extend its influence until it moves away from its original
reservoir
4. Means of transmission
o Direct contact 3 requires close proximity between host and infected person or
carrier (ex. touching, kissing)
o Indirect contact 3 personal contact w/ vector (living creature that transmits
infectious agent to human); or fomite (inanimate object such as equipment or
countertops)
o Airborne 3 less than 5mcm
o Droplet 3 greater than 5 mcm
5. Portal of entry: point at which organisms enter a new host; must find a portal of
entry or it will die off
o Skin, respiratory, GI, and GU tracts are common portals of entry and exit
6. Susceptible host: degree of resistance the potential host has to the pathogen
o Microorganisms only survive in a source that provides a shelter and
nourishment aka a host
o And if they overcome any resistance mounted by the host9s defense system
Stages of infection Incubation: interval between pathogen9s invasion and appearance of symptoms
a. Incubation o Organisms are growing and multiplying
b. Prodromal o Length of incubation varies
c. Full (acute) stage of
illness Prodromal: most infectious stage; early signs and symptoms of disease are present but
d. Convalescent period are often vague and nonspecific
o Ranges from fatigue and malaise to a low-grade fever
o Lasts from several hours to several days
Full (acute) stage of illness: presence of infection-specific signs and symptoms
o Infection type determines length of illness and severity of manifestations
o Localized symptoms 3 limited and occur in only 1 body area
, lOMoARcPSD|52942330
o Systemic symptoms 3 occurs throughout the entire body
Convalescent: recovery from infection
o Varies according to severity and pt9s general condition
o Signs and symptoms disappear and pt returns to healthy state
Factors affecting risk for o Integrity of skin and mucous membranes 3 protects the body against microbial
infection invasion
o pH levels of GI and GU tract and skin 3 ward off microbial invasion
o Integrity and # of WBCs 3 provide resistance to certain pathogens
o Age, sex, race, heredity influencing susceptibility 3 neonates and older adults
are more vulnerable to infection
o Immunizations (natural or acquired) 3 resist infection
o Levels of fatigue, nutritional, general health status, presence of pre-existing
illnesses, prev or current treatments, meds 3 susceptibility of potential host
o Stress level 3 if increased may adversely affect the body9s normal defense
mechanism
o Use of invasive or indwelling medical device
Factors to reduce risk of Factors to reduce risk of infection
infection and nursing process o Adequate nutrition, rest, and exercise
o Stress reduction
o Good personal hygiene
o Safe sex practices
Assessment of infection 3 begins w/ early detection and surveillance (ask about
immunizations, prev/recurring infections, observe nonverbal cues, hx of current
disease, s/s)
o Localized infection = redness, swelling, warmth in involved area, pain or
tenderness, loss of function in affected part
o Systemic infection = fever, increase in pulse and RR, lethargy, tenderness and
enlargement of lymph nodes, anorexia
Diagnosis of infection 3 focus of nursing care depends on a nursing diagnosis that
accurately reflects the pt9s condition
Planning/outcome 3 identifying pt goals
o Short-term goal: accomplished by end of shift/day
o Long term goal: discharge goals to work on at home
When to perform hand Hand hygiene is the most effective way to help prevent the spread of infectious agents.
hygiene There is a consensus that most healthcare associated pathogens are transmitted via
contaminated hands of healthcare workers
Prevention of HAIs
WHO defined 5 moments for hand hygiene
Resistant organisms o Before touching a pt
o Before a clean or aseptic procedure
Precaution techniques o After body fluid exposure risk
o After touching a pt
o After touching pt surroundings
When alcohol-based hand rubs can be used to decontaminate hands - cover all
surfaces of hands and rub for at least 15 secs or until hands are dry
