DEFINITION OF TERMS

RESIDENT FLORA Collective vegetation in a given area. These are normal microorganism living as part of the body, yet it can cause infection in another.

Skin: Staphylococcus epidermidis Nasal Passages: Staphylococcus aureus Intestines: E. coli Vagina: Candida albicans

PATHOGENS
Microorganism that causes disease

Opportunistic pathogens causes diseases only in a susceptible individuals Example: Pneumocystis pnuemonia in AIDS patients

INFECTION
Invasion of body tissue by microorganisms and

their growth.

Infectious agent microorganisms that causes infection

VIRULENCE
The ability of the microorganism to produce

disease

COMMUNICABLE DISEASE Transmission of infectious agent causing disease through indirect or direct contact or as an airborne infection from one individual to another. PATHOGENICITY
Ability of the microorganism to produce disease.

ASESPSIS
State of being free of living pathogenic

microorganisms.
The process of removing pathogenic

microorganisms or protecting against infection by such organisms.

2 types of asepsis:
1. MEDICAL ASEPSIS 2. SURGICAL ASEPSIS

MEDICAL ASEPSIS
Includes all practices intended to confine a

specific microorganism to s specific area, limiting the number, growth and transmission of microorganisms.
Objects are referred to as:
CLEAN absence of almost all microorganism DIRTY which means likely to have

micoorganisms

SURGICAL ASEPSIS
Refers to those practices that keep an area or

object free of all microorganisms; it includes practices that destroy all microorganisms and spores.
Used for all procedures involving the sterile

areas of the body.

Types of Microorganisms Causing Infections

BACTERIA
Most common infection-causing microorganisms

VIRUSES
Consists primarily of nucleic acid and therefore

must enter living cells in order to reproduce

FUNGI
Include yeast and molds. Example: Candida

albicans

PARASITES
Live on other living organism.

CHAIN OF INFECTION

Etiologic Agent The extend to which any microorganism is capable of producing an infectious process depends on:
Number of microorganisms present Virulence and potency Ability to enter the body The susceptibility of the host Ability of the microorganism to live in the hosts body

Reservoir
Sources of microorganism CARRIER a person or animal reservoir of a

specific infectious agent that usually does not manifest any clinical signs of disease.

Portal of Exit The microorganism must leave the reservoir before an infection can establish itself in a host Methods of Transmission
DIRECT

Droplet if the host and the source are within 3 feet of each other

INDIRECT

Vehicle-borne Fomites (inanimate materials) Vector-borne an animal or flying/crawling insects; by injecting salivary fluid during biting or by depositing feces or other materials on the skin.

AIRBORNE

Portal of Entry
Broken skin or trough ingestion

Susceptible Host Any person who is at risk for infection Impairment of the bodys natural defenses and a number of other factors can affect susceptibility to infection

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

GLOVES GOWN MASK EYEWEAR

GLOVES
Worn for three reasons: 1. To protect the hands when the nurse is likely to handle any body substances 2. To reduce the likelihood of nurses transmitting their own endogenous microorganisms to individuals receiving care. 3. To reduce the chance that the nurses hand will transmit microorganisms from one clients to another client.

Hand washing is necessary each time gloves

are removed for two primary reasons:

The gloves may have imperfections or be damaged during wearing 2. The hands may be contaminated during glove removal.
1.

GOWNS

Clean or disposable gowns or aprons are worn during procedures when the nurses uniform is likely to become soiled.

EYEWEAR
Protective eyewear and masks are indicated

in situations where body substances may splatter the face.

FACE MASKS
Masks are worn to reduce the risk for

transmission of organisms by droplet contact and airborne routes

By those close to the client if the infection is

transmitted by large-particle aerosols (droplets). Large-particle aerosols are transmitted by close contact and generally travel short distances (about 1m or 3ft) By all persons entering the room if the infection is transmitted by small-particle aerosol (droplet nuclei). Small particle aerosols remain suspended in the air and thus travel greater distance by air.