Microbiology for Nurses by V. Deepa Parvathi, R. Sumitha, S. Smitha.

Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms and involves the handling, identification, and manipulation of organisms of microscopic size (not visible to the naked eye). These organ- isms possess a simple anatomic structure with differentiation of cells and tissues. The microbial world includes prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, which fundamentally differ from each other in the organization of the nucleus. In addition, the microbial world includes acellular obligatory parasites—viruses—as well. Microorganisms are diverse and play an important role in eco- system. They are also considered as one of the first living organisms to have evolved on earth. Many scientists across the globe have been working on the discovery of various microorgan- isms and the understanding of their implications on health, infections, and treatment modules. The important contributions of various scientists in the field of microbiology and the landmarks in microbiological research have been detailed in Chapter 3. Apart from understanding the role of microorganisms with respect to their modes of entry, routes of transmission, pathogenesis, and treatment in various infectious diseases, much has gone into the development of various aseptic culture techniques for the isolation and charac- terization of microorganisms. The concepts of asepsis, sterilization, and disinfection provide an understanding to the control of infectious diseases, especially in a hospital set-up. Care must also be taken with respect to sanitary conditions to control infections. Microbiology has utmost relevance in health care units, and it is important for health care professionals to understand the pathogenesis and control of infectious diseases. The mode of action of various antibiotics, the concept of antibiotic resistance, and multi-drug resistance are important apart from the methods of vaccination, types of vaccines, and schedules involved in vaccination. Understanding of the pathogenesis of virulent organisms, their epidemiology, host defense, and treatment strategies is an important aspect of medical microbiology. In addition, the role of the normal flora as opportunistic pathogens is critical. Health care professionals need to understand that microorganisms do not limit their role to infectious diseases alone. They play a vital role in the ecosystem, in the degradation of organic materials, recycling, and bioremediation. Microorganisms have been employed as model organisms in genetics and recombinant DNA technology to engineer agents for pest control, and they have also been widely used in the fermentation industry. In addition, many bacteria and viruses have also been used in gene therapy strategies and drug development. This chapter deals with the role of a nurse in relation to the condition of the patient, disease stage, diagnosis, treatment module, and hospital environment in a microbiological perspective. The role of a nurse is varied, and it is important for a nurse to multitask intellectually with fundamental knowledge, decisive thinking, and application. Nurses dedicate a lot of their time and energy on the patients. This chapter focuses on evolving nurses with a conceptual clinical approach towards the following: 1. Asepsis, sterilization, and disinfection 2. Recognition of infection 3. Infection control—pathogenesis and transmission 4. Nosocomial infection 5. Immune system 6. Clinical thought process It is important for nurses to learn the concepts and gain the knowledge and skills required to analyse and explore clinical situations. Their fundamental aim of providing quality patient care with professional ethics shall be strengthened if they think critically, plan strategies, and work with skill and effective communication. They need to understand the science of microbiology, from basic sciences to evidence-based nursing care. The theoretical learning process of nurses shall include understanding the biology of microbes from their fundamental evidence of discovery (including various historical contribu- tions of scientists across the globe and their experiments), their diversity in structure and patho- genesis, role of microbes in causing a disease, mechanisms involved in pathogenesis, routes of transmission, immune system of the host, infection control strategies adopted in hospitals, and various methods of asepsis and disinfection in terms of hospital equipment. The various tools and chemicals and their appropriate usage in asepsis, sterilization, and disinfection are of significance in patient care and hospital management. In addition, the different methods of sample collection, handling, storage, and transport of microbiological specimens and samples are considered vital in nursing education. Application towards the identification of microorgan- isms using laboratory tests (culture techniques and biochemical and serological tests) shall help a nurse read laboratory reports and understand the course of diagnosis and treatment strate- gies directed by the physician. Apart from this, it is important for nurses and other health care professionals (ward technicians, laboratory technicians, sanitary workers, etc.) to be educated adequately about self care and protective measures. Role of a Nurse in Microbiology | 5 It is important for nurses to learn the pathogenesis of microorganisms towards understanding the anatomy of bacteria; the presence of capsules, fimbriae, and virulence factors; and cell wall anatomy. Knowledge of