NR224- Exam 1 (Answered) 100%
Correct, 202 Questions and Correct
Answers.
Infection
The invasion of a susceptible host by pathogens or microorganisms, resulting in disease
Colonization
Occurs when a microorganism invades the host but does not cause infection. You may get colonized and
not realize you are carrying an infection
Asymptomatic
Clinical signs and symptoms are not present in an infection
Types of Infecting Agents
Bacteria, Fungus, Protozoa, or Virus
Communicable Disease
The infectious disease transmitted from one person to another, easily spread
Most Important Way to Prevent Infection
Hand Hygiene
Chain of Infection
Portal of entry, host, infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, and then back to
portal of entry, and it continues in a cycle.
Reservoir
A place where microorganisms survive, multiply, and await transfer to a susceptible host
Transmission Through Direct Contact
Person to person
Person to source
Transmission Through Indirect Contact
Person to inanimate object
Transmission Through Droplet
Coughing, sneezing, talking (large particle only 3ft)
,Transmission Through Airborne
Droplet nuclei or residue suspended in air or carried on dust particles
Transmission Through Vehicles
Food, water, drugs and solutions, blood, fomites (organic something)
Transmission Through Vector
External transfer
Internal transmission (parasitic)
Mosquito, louse, flea, tick
Immunocompromised
Having an impaired immune system
Virulence
The ability to produce disease, how strong the disease is, the intensity of the disease
Aerobic Bacteria
Requires oxygen for survival and for multiplication sufficient to cause disease
Anaerobic Bacteria
Thrive where little or no oxygen is available
Bacteriostasis
Prevention of growth and reproduction of bacteria
Bactericidal
Destructive to bacteria
Four Stages of Infection
1. Incubation Period
2. Prodromal Stage
3. Illness Stage
4. Convalescence
Incubation Period
The first stage of the infectious process. It is the time interval between entrance of the pathogen and
appearance of the first symptoms.
Prodromal Stage
The second stage of the infectious process. It is the interval between onset of nonspecific symptoms to
more specific symptoms. You don't feel well, but you aren't sure why
, Illness Stage
The third stage of the infectious process. The interval when a patient manifests signs and symptoms
specific to the type of infection. You have the illness and can confirm what it is
Convalescence
The interval when acute symptoms of infection disappear, you start feeling better.
Localized Infection
Patient experiences symptoms in one specific area, the infection is in one spot. There is no fever (fever
means it's systemic)
Systemic Infection
An infection that affects the entire body, it can be fatal if not detected or untreated.
Normal Flora
Microorganisms that reside normally in our body. They help resist infection by releasing antibacterial
substances and inhibiting multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms
Body Defense Mechanisms Against Infection
Normal flora, intact skin, mucus membranes, cilli in respiratory system, fever, inflammation, vascular and
cellular response, and tissue repair
Inflammation
Vascular and cellular response leads to blood gathering in the area, exudates appear (serous=clear,
sanguineous=red, purulent=white/yellow), tissue repair
Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI)
Also called nosocomial infection, results from delivery of health services in a health care facility. Can
occur as the result of invasive procedures, antibiotic administration, the presence of multidrug-resistant
organisms, and breaks in infection prevention and control activities
Patients at Risk for HAI
If the patient has multiple illnesses, older adults, poorly nourished, lowered resistance to infection
critical/chronic illness, invasive treatment devices, many procedures, and young children
Major Sites for HAI Infections
Surgical or traumatic wounds, urinary and respiratory tracts, bloodstream, any skin openings, and breaks
in mucus membranes
Iatrogenic HAI
HAI from a diagnostic/therapeutic procedure
Ex) a dialysis patient repeatedly coming to the hospital, a patient with a catheter inserted poorly or
cleaned poorly