Infectious agent - ANSWERa pathogen, such as a bacterium or virus that can cause a disease
Bacteria - ANSWER- Most significant and most commonly observe infection-causing agent in health care institutions
- Categorized by shape
Cocci (spherical)
Bacilli (rod-shaped)
Spirochetes (corkscrew)
...
Infectious agent - ANSWERa pathogen, such as a bacterium or virus that can cause a disease
Bacteria - ANSWER- Most significant and most commonly observe infection-causing agent in health
care institutions
- Categorized by shape
Cocci (spherical)
Bacilli (rod-shaped)
Spirochetes (corkscrew)
- Gram positive, have thick walls that resist the loss of color. Will stain violet
- Gram negative, complex cell walls that can be decolorized by alcohol. Will not stain
- Antibiotics are classified as specifically effective against only gram-positive organisms or as
broad spectrum and effective against several groups of microorganisms
- Require oxygen: aerobic
Bacteria shapes - ANSWERCocci (spherical)
Bacilli (rod-shaped)
Spirochetes (corkscrew)
Gram-positive bacteria - ANSWERhave thick walls that resist the loss of color.
Will stain violet
Gram-negative bacteria - ANSWERcomplex cell walls that can be decolorized by alcohol.
Will not stain
Antibiotics - ANSWERcompounds that block the growth and reproduction of bacteria
are classified as specifically effective against only gram-positive organisms
broad spectrum antibiotics - ANSWEReffective against several groups of microorganisms
Aerobic bacteria - ANSWERBacteria that require oxygen for survival
Anaerobic bacteria - ANSWERbacteria that do not require oxygen to survive
,Viruses - ANSWER- Smallest of all microorganisms, only visible with electron microscope
- Causes infections like; common cold, hepatitis B and C, and AIDS
- Antibiotics have no effect
Antivirals - ANSWERare effective and when given during the prodromal stage of certain viruses they
can shorten the full stage of illness (ex: Tamiflu)
Fungi - ANSWER- Plant-like organisms (molds and yeast)
- Present in air, soil, and water
- Ex: Athlete's foot , ringworm, and yeast infections
- Treated with antifungal medications, however many are resistant to treatment
Parasites - ANSWER- Can live on or in a host and rely on it for nourishment
- Ex: Malaria from a disease infecting a certain type of mosquito that then feeds on humans
Organisms Potential to Produce Disease - ANSWERNumber of organisms (the more the better)
Virulence (ability to produce disease)
Competence of person's immune system
Length/intimacy of contact between person and organism (colonization=long contact)
Normal flora - ANSWERis our body's natural defense system made up of microorganisms
Colonization - ANSWERwhen an organism lives in the person's body with no clinical signs of an
infection
- Infection is present once the person exhibits specific manifestations of the disease
Person's defense mechanisms - ANSWERare either effective or ineffective in responding to the
bacterial invasion. In ineffective, infection will result
,Reservoir - ANSWERused for growth and multiplication of microorganisms and is the natural habitat
of the organism
- People
- Animals
- Soil
- Food
- Water
- Milk
- Inanimate objects
Carriers - ANSWERindividuals that are a reservoir and show no sign and symptoms. They are
asymptomatic and can transmit the disease.
Examples of Reservoirs - ANSWERRabies virus- in animals (dogs, squirrels, bats, and raccoons)
West Nile- in animals (birds). Mosquitos feed on infected birds, become infected and pass the
infection on to people when feeding on their blood
Water- Giardia, E.coli, Shigella
Food- E.coli,
Milk- Listeria (unless it is pasteurized)
Portal of Exit - ANSWERpoint of escape for the organism from the reservoir
ex. sneeze
Means of Transmission - ANSWERdirect contact
indirect contact
airborne route
Some organisms can be transported in more than one way.
Vehicles of transmission - ANSWERblood, food, water, or inanimate objects
Vectors - ANSWERmosquitos, ticks, lice transmit organisms from one host to another by injecting
salivary fluid when a human bite occurs
, Airbonrne - ANSWERgerms float through the air after a person talks, coughs, or sneezes. Germs can
be inhaled even after the original person is no longer nearby. Direct contact with the infectious
person is NOT needed for someone else to get sick. Chicken pox and TB are spread through the air.
smaller that 5mcm
Droplets - ANSWER- fluids in large droplets from a sick person splash the eyes, nose, or mouth of
another person or through a cut in the skin. Droplets may cause short-term environmental
contamination, like a soiled bathroom surface or handrails, from which another person can pick up
the infectious material.
MRSA sputum, Plague can be spread through large droplets. Ebola might be spread through large
droplets but only when a person is very sick
larger than 5 mcm
Portal of entry - ANSWERpoint at which organisms enter a new host
Susceptible host - ANSWERa person likely to get an infection or disease
must overcome resistance mounted by host's defenses
ex. elderly, malnourished
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - ANSWERProtective equipment that blocks exposure to a
pathogen or a hazardous material.
Gloves, gowns, masks (N95), and protective eye gear
Measures to reduce Nosocomial infections - ANSWER- Constant surveillance by infection-control
committees and nurse epidemiologists
- Written infection-prevention practices for all agency personnel
- HAND HYGIENE
- Infection control precaution technique
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