1. Chapter 28 – Infection Prevention & Control
Scientific Knowledge Base
 Nature of infection
 Infection is the invasion of a susceptible host by
pathogens or microorganisms, resulting in
disease.
 Entry and multiplication of organisms result in
disease
 Colonization occurs when a microorganism
invades the host but does not cause infection.
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2. Nature of Infection
 Communicable disease is the infectious
process transmitted from one person to
another.
 If pathogens multiply and cause clinical signs
and symptoms, the infection is symptomatic.
 If clinical signs and symptoms are not
present, the illness is termed asymptomatic.
 Hand hygiene is the most important
technique to use in preventing and controlling
transmission of infection.
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3. Chain of Infection
 Infectious agent or
pathogen
 Reservoir or source
for pathogen growth
 Portal of exit
 Mode of
transmission
 Portal of entry
 Susceptible host
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4. Infectious Process
 Four stages:
Incubation period
Prodromal stage
Illness stage
Convalescence
 Localized versus systemic infection
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5. Defenses Against Infection
 Normal flora
 Microorganisms
 Normal body flora helps to resist infection by
releasing antibacterial substances and inhibiting
multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms.
 Body system defenses
 Organs
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6. Defenses Against Infection (cont’d)
 Inflammation
 Vascular and cellular responses
 Exudates (serous, sanguineous, or purulent)
 Tissue repair
 Signs of local inflammation and infection are
identical.
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7. Health Care–Associated
Infections
 Results from delivery of health services in a
health care facility
 Patients at greater risk for health-care
associated infections (HAIs)
 Multiple illnesses
 Older adults
 Poorly nourished
 Lowered resistance to infection
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8. Health Care–Associated Infection
(cont’d)
 Types of HAI infection:
Iatrogenic—from a procedure
Exogenous—from
microorganisms outside the
individual
Endogenous—when the patient’s
flora becomes altered and an
overgrowth results
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9. Health Care–Associated Infection
(cont’d)
 Risk factors
 Number of health care employees with direct
contact with the patient
 Types and numbers of invasive procedures
 Therapy received
 Length of hospitalization
 Major sites for HAI infection
 Surgical or traumatic wounds
 Urinary and respiratory tracts
 Bloodstream
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10. Nursing Knowledge Base
 Factors influencing infection prevention and
control:
 Age
 Nutritional status
 Stress
 Disease process
 Treatments or conditions that compromise the
immune response
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11. Nursing Process: Assessment
 Assessment includes a thorough
investigation:
 Review of systems, travel history
 Immunizations and vaccinations
 Early recognition of risk factors
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12. Nursing Process: Assessment
(cont’d)
 See through the patient’s eyes.
 Status of defense mechanisms
 Patient susceptibility
 Medical therapy
 Clinical appearance
 Signs and symptoms of infection
 Laboratory data
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13. Nursing Process: Nursing Diagnosis
 Nursing diagnoses for infection:
Risk for infection
Imbalanced nutrition: less than body
requirements
Impaired oral mucous membrane
Risk for impaired skin integrity
Social isolation
Impaired tissue integrity
Readiness for enhanced immunization status
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14. Nursing Process: Planning
 Goals and outcomes
 Common goals of care applicable to patients
with infection often include the following:
 Preventing exposure to infectious organisms
 Controlling or reducing the extent of infection
 Maintaining resistance to infection
 Verbalizing understanding of infection prevention
and control techniques (e.g., hand hygiene)
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15. Nursing Process: Planning (cont’d)
 Setting priorities
 Establish priorities for each diagnosis and for
related goals of care.
 Teamwork and collaboration
 Remember to plan care and include other
disciplines as necessary.
GO TO : CH 28 Audio Part 2
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