Infection

Question 1

What six elements are involved in the chain of infection?

Answer 1

1) causative agent
2) reservoir
3) mode of exit
4) mode of transmission
5) susceptible host
6) mode of entry

Question 2

Who is at an increased risk for infection?

Answer 2

• diabetics
• immunocompromised (cancer patients, people with HIV)
• people on steroids
• anyone susceptible to the particular pathogen

Question 3

What are signs and symptoms of infection?

Answer 3

4 cardinal signs of inflammation:

1) redness
2) warmth
3) pain
4) swelling

also:

• fever, chills, sweats
• swollen lymph nodes
• fatigue
• weight loss
• pus

Question 4

What are signs and symptoms of a systemic infection?

Answer 4

• increased heart rate,
• decreased blood pressure and increased respiratory rate (later in a severe infection)
• increased temperature
• pallor or flushed
• altered mentation
• hyperglycemia

Question 5

What are two lab tests that could indicate infection OR inflammation?

Answer 5

• increased WBC

- increased C-reactive protein

Question 6

What lab tests could be done to diagnose infection?

Answer 6

• WBC with differential (will help ID infectious agent)
• increase in procalcitonin indicative of severe bacterial infection/sepsis
• culture can ID the bacteria
• gram stain can narrow down the type of bacteria
• sensitivity will help us choose appropriate drug

Question 7

A fever can be beneficial since it enhances the immune response, inhibits microbial growth/replication and enhances phagocytosis. So when would you treat a fever?

Answer 7

• in an infant

- usually if over 38 degrees and patient is uncomfortable

Question 8

How is infection treated?

Answer 8

• prevent transmission (teach hand hygiene, cough etiquette)
• control the fever?
• antibiotics/antivirals

Question 9

What assessments will the nurse need to do when administering antibiotics?

Answer 9

• assess/monitor signs and symptoms of infection (need to see if treatment works)
• teach and assess for superinfections
• assess for allergies
• assess GI function (often causes diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, anorexia)
• monitor liver and kidney function

Question 10

What is empiric therapy?

Answer 10

• treatment that is not based on definitive diagnosis

- ex. giving broad spectrum antibiotics

Question 11

What is a superinfection?

Answer 11

• infection occurring after/on top of a previous infection, can be due to use of broad spectrum antibiotics (ex. kills natural flora and allows another bacteria to proliferate… yeast infection)