Infection Concepts

Peggy D. Johndrow 2009

Pathogen: any disease-producing microorganism

Communicable: via person-to-person contact

Pathogenicity: ability to cause disease Virulence: degree of communicability Colonization: microorganism present in

tissue, but not yet causing symptomatic disease

Normal flora often competes with microorganisms to prevent infections

P a ra si tes

F u ng us

V iruses

B ac te r ia

O rga n ism s

Local infection: infection relegated to a specific body part

Systemic infection: microorganism spreads and damages throughout body

Acute infection sudden; lasts short time

Chronic infections slow with prolonged period

Reservoirs Pathogens

Toxins Exotoxins Endotoxins

S u se cp tib i li ty o f theh o st

P o rta l o f e n try in toth e h o st

M e th o d o f tran sm iss ion

P o r ta l o f e xi t o u t o fth e reservo ir

R e se rv o ir

E tio lo g ic a ge n t

T h e C h a in o f In fe ction

Respiratory tract Gastrointestinal tract Genitourinary tract Skin/mucous membranes Bloodstream

Contact transmission by direct or indirect contact

Droplet transmission such as influenza

Airborne transmission such as tuberculosis

Vector-borne transmission involving insect or animal carriers, such as Lyme disease

Practice hand hygiene and proper hand washing

Artificial fingernails create poor hand hygiene

Gloves should be worn CDC provides guidelines for

disinfection & sterilization, outlining standard precautions for all modes of transmission

Personal protective equipment as required for specific situations

Adjust water controls

Wet hands Apply soap Wash in circular

motion (10 sec; sing ABC song)

Rinse hands Dry thoroughly to

prevent chapping. Turn water off with

towel Place towel in

garbage

Sterile Technique variation: Wet hands; lather

with soap; hold hands higher than elbows

Rinse Dry one hand up to

elbow; rotate hand up to elbow with one towel

Use 2nd towel to dry next hand up to elbow in same motion

The sterile field Sterile gown Sterile gloves Removal of soiled wear

Multiple drug–resistant infections are no more transmissible than drug-sensitive counterparts, S. aureus and Enterococcus organisms

CDC has specific guidelines to control antimicrobial resistance in health care settings

Noncompliance or nonadherence Legal sanctions that compel client to

complete treatment, such as in instance of tuberculosis

Septicemia Septic shock

History Physical assessment & clinical

manifestations Psychosocial assessment Laboratory assessment including:

Culture and antibiotic sensitivity testing Complete blood count Erythrocyte sedimentation rate Serologic testing Radiographic and other assessment

Eliminate underlying cause of hyperthermia and destroy causative microorganism

Manage fever by: Pharmacotherapy: antimicrobial,

antipyretic therapy External cooling, fluid administration,

cool cloths, cool environment (A/C, no blankets, fans)

Education about mode of transmission of infection and mechanisms communication

Assess coping mechanisms used in past

Maintain communication with client

Education on following topics vital to client’s understanding of transmission prevention precautions: Infection control Pharmacotherapy Psychosocial support Health care resources

What are some things that make an individual more prone to infection?