Egan's Chapter 4 Principles of Infection
Prevention and Control questions with
answers.
Health Care-Associated Infections (HAIs) ANS -refers to infections that develop in a patient during the
course of medical treatment. There are certain factors that predispose patients to HAIs including
illnesses and treatment regimens which may reduce the immune response to infection. the use of
artificial airways and catheters that bypass normal barriers to microbes, play a role.
Describe why infection prevention is important in respiratory care ANS -To fulfill this responsibility, RTs
must be able to select and consistently apply a full spectrum of daily competencies.
The pathogens transmitted by direct contact route include what? ANS -Hepatitis A, HIV, Staphyloccus,
Enteric bacteria
The pathogens transmitted by indirect contact route include what? ANS -Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
enteric bacteria, hepatitis B and C, and HIV
The pathogens transmitted by droplet route include what? ANS -Haemophilus influenzae (type B)
pneumonia and epiglottis, pertussis, streptococcal pneumonia, influenza, mumps, rubella, adenovirus,
and rhinovirus
The pathogens transmitted by vehicle route include what? ANS -shigellosis, cholera, salmonellosis,
hepatitis A
The pathogens transmitted by vector borne route include what? ANS -rickettsia, lyme disease, malaria,
and bubonic plague
The pathogens transmitted by airborne route include what? ANS -legionellosis, tuberculosis, varicella,
measles, and smallpox
, What three elements that must be present for transmission of infection within a health care setting?
ANS -A source (or reservoir) of pathogens, a susceptible host and a route of transmission.
source of pathogen ANS -Patients, personnel, visitors, contaminated medical equipment (i.e. tubes,
surgical equipment, catheters), linen, medications, high-touched surface areas (i.e. call lights, bed rails,
tray tables, bathrooms, privacy curtain)
susceptible host ANS -immunodeficient patients (i.e. diabetics, HIV) infants, elderly
List the factors associated with an increased risk for hospital-acquired infection (all modes of
transmission of infection, common causes) ANS -Illness and treatment regiments which may reduce the
immune response to infection; in addition, the use of artificial airways and catheters, which bypass
normal barriers to microbes, may play a rule. Health care-associated infections (HAIs) can also be related
to certain pathogens that are more likely to be resistant to one or more classes of antimicrobial agents.
Also, long hospital stays, failure of healthcare workers regular handwashing and overuse of antibiotics
can factor in as well.
Three major routes of transmission ANS -Contact, droplet, and airborne
Biofilm ANS -are a collective of one or more types of microorganisms that can grow on many different
surfaces. Microorganisms that form biofilms include bacteria, fungi and protists. One common example
of a biofilm dental plaque, a slimy buildup of bacteria that forms on the surfaces of teeth.
contact transmission ANS -Most common means of transmitting infection
direct contact transmission ANS -Occurs when infected blood or body fluids from one person enter
another person's body at a correct entry site.
indirect contact transmission ANS -refers to situations in which a susceptible person is infected by
contact with a contaminated intermediate object or person
airborne transmission ANS -occurs via the spread of airborne droplet nuclei. Small particles of
evaporation droplets containing infectious microorganisms that can remain suspended in air for long