chapter 22 infection control

Copyright © 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Chapter 22

Infection Control


Infection Control Infection Control

• Infectious diseases

– Contagious or communicable diseases and community-acquired infections

– Persistence of infectious diseases

– The current public health problem of AIDS, HIV, and SARS


Facts and Myths About Transmission of HIV

Facts and Myths About Transmission of HIV


Infection Infection

• Infection: condition that results when microorganisms cause injury to a host

• Colonization: condition that results when microbes are present but host is without signs or symptoms of infection

• Progress of infections through distinct stages


QuestionQuestion

•Is the following statement true or false?

Colonization is a condition that results when microorganisms cause injury to a host.


AnswerAnswer

False.

Colonization is a condition in which microorganisms are present, but the host does not manifest any signs or symptoms of infection.


The Course of Infectious DiseasesThe Course of Infectious Diseases


Infection Control Precautions Infection Control Precautions

• Infection control precautions: physical measures designed to curtail the spread of infectious diseases

– The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Infection Control Precautions (cont’d)Infection Control Precautions (cont’d)

• Standard precautions

– Standard precautions reduce transmission of microorganisms from both recognized and unrecognized sources

– Followed when potential exists for contact with blood, all body fluids except sweat, nonintact skin, mucous membranes


Infection Control Precautions (cont’d)Infection Control Precautions (cont’d)

• Transmission-based precautions

– Airborne

– Droplet

– Contact


Question Question

•Precautions that are used to reduce pathogen transmission from close contact, usually 3 feet or less, belong to which category of precautions?

a. Droplet

b. Contact

c. Airborne

d. Isolation


AnswerAnswer

a. Droplet

Droplet precautions are measures that block pathogens within moist droplets larger than 5 microns. They are used to reduce pathogen transmission from close contact (usually 3 feet or less) between an infected person or a person who is a carrier of a droplet-spread microorganism and others.


Question Question


Transmission-based precautions are also called universal precautions.


AnswerAnswer

False.

Transmission-based precautions are also called isolation precautions and are measures for controlling the spread of infectious agents from clients known to be or suspected of being infected with highly transmissible or epidemiologically important pathogens.


Transmission-Based PrecautionsTransmission-Based Precautions


Infection Control MeasuresInfection Control Measures

• Personal protective equipment

– The purpose and characteristics of cover gowns

– Face-protection devices

– Gloves


Personal Protective EquipmentPersonal Protective Equipment


Infection Control Measures (cont’d)Infection Control Measures (cont’d)

• Personal protective equipment (cont’d)

– Removing personal protective equipment

– Disposing of contaminated linen, equipment, and supplies

– Double bagging


Double-Bagging TechniqueDouble-Bagging Technique


Infection Control Measures (cont’d)Infection Control Measures (cont’d)

• Client environment

– Infection control room

– Equipment and supplies

• Methods of discarding biodegradable trash

• Removing reusable items

• Delivering laboratory specimens

• Transporting clients with infectious diseases


Question Question


Biodegradable trash can be flushed down the toilet in the client’s room.


AnswerAnswer

True.

Biodegradable trash is refuse that will decompose naturally into less complex compounds. It includes items such as unconsumed beverages, paper tissues, the contents of drainage collectors, urine, and stool. All these items can be flushed down the toilet in the client’s room.


Psychological Implications Psychological Implications

• Being attentive to client sensibilities

• Promoting social interaction

• Combating sensory deprivation


Providing Sensory StimulationProviding Sensory Stimulation


Nursing Implications Nursing Implications

• Frequently identified nursing diagnoses when caring for clients with infectious diseases

– The nursing diagnosis of risk for infection transmission

• Imparting of infection prevention teaching measures to client and family


Preventing InfectionsPreventing Infections


General Gerontologic ConsiderationsGeneral Gerontologic Considerations

• Susceptibility to infections among older clients due to decreased immune system function and inadequate fluid/nutrition intake

• Subtler symptoms of infections among older adults

• Infections more likely to have a rapid course and life-threatening consequences once established


General Gerontologic Considerations (cont’d)

General Gerontologic Considerations (cont’d)

• Change in behavior and mental status can signal infectious process

• The high incidence of TB among older adults, especially those in long-term care

• Maintaining intact skin is excellent first-line defense against nosocomial infections

• Prompt perineal hygiene is best technique for preventing urinary tract infections

chapter 22 infection control

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