Risk for Infection and Infection
Control Nursing Care Plan and
Management
Empower your nursing practice with this comprehensive nursing care
plan and management guide, specifically designed to support nurses in
providing optimal care for patients at risk for infection. Gain a deeper
understanding of nursing assessments, evidence-based interventions,
realistic goals, and nursing diagnoses tailored to infection prevention
and control. By utilizing this guide, nurses can enhance their skills in
identifying, preventing, and managing infections.
Table of Contents
What is the risk for infection and infection control?
Causes of infection
Nursing Care Plans and Management
Nursing Problem Priorities
Nursing Assessment
Nursing Diagnosis
Nursing Goals
Nursing Interventions and Actions
1. Performing Assessment and Early Detection
2. Infection Control and Prevention
3. Implementing Isolation Precautions
Standard Precautions
Airborne Precautions
Droplet Precautions
Contact Precautions
Proper Wearing of PPE
4. Promoting Surgical Asepsis
5. Providing Client and Caregiver Education
Recommended Resources
References and Sources
What is the risk for infection and infection
control?
,Infections occur when the natural defense mechanisms of an individual
are inadequate to protect them. Microorganisms such as bacteria,
viruses, fungi, and other parasites invade susceptible hosts through
inevitable injuries and exposures. People have dedicated cells or
tissues that deal with the threat of infection. These are known as the
immune system.
The human immune system is crucial for survival in a world full of
potentially deadly and harmful microbes. The serious impairment of
this system can predispose to severe, even life-threatening, infections.
Organs and tissues involved in the immune system include the thymus,
bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, appendix, tonsils, and Peyer’s
patches (in the small intestine). If the client’s immune system cannot
battle the invading microorganism sufficiently, an infection occurs.
Breaks in the integrity of the integument, mucous membranes, soft
tissues, or even organs such as the kidneys and lungs can be sites for
infections after trauma, invasive procedures, or invasion of pathogens
through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. A complete chain of
events is necessary for infection to occur. Six elements are necessary,
including a causative organism, a reservoir, a mode of transmission
from the reservoir to the host, and a mode of entry into a susceptible
host.
It is also important to recognize the difference between infection and
infectious disease. Infectious disease is the state in which the infected
host displays a decline in wellness due to the infection. When the host
interacts immunologically with an organism but remains symptom-free,
the definition of infectious disease has not been met.
A common means for infectious diseases to spread is by directly
transferring bacteria, viruses, or other germs from one person to
another. This can transpire via contact, airborne, sexual contact, or
sharing of IV drug paraphernalia. Also, having inadequate resources,
lack of knowledge, and being malnourished place an individual at high
risk of developing an infection.
Infections prolong healing and can result in death if left untreated.
Antimicrobials are widely used to treat infections when susceptibility is
present. However, no antimicrobial is effective for some organisms,
such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Another common
medical intervention is called immunization. This is also universally
,used for those who are at high risk for infection. Handwashing is the
best way to break the chain of infection.
Infection control refers to the policy and procedures implemented to
control and minimize the dissemination of infections in hospitals and
other healthcare settings with the main purpose of reducing infection
rates. The primary purpose of infection control programs was to focus
on the surveillance of hospital-associated infections (HAIs) and
incorporate the basic understandings of epidemiology to elucidate risk
factors for HAIs (Habboush et al., 2023).
Specific nursing interventions will depend on the nature and severity of
the risk. Clients should be informed and well-educated by nurses on
recognizing the signs of infection and how to reduce their risk.
Causes of infection
Various health problems and conditions can create a favorable
environment that would encourage the development of infections.
Here are the common causes of infection and factors that place a
client at risk for infection.
Inadequate primary defenses. These are the body’s first line of
defense against infection and they include the skin, mucous
membranes, and normal flora. Examples of inadequate primary
defenses include:
A break in the skin, such as a cut or wound
Tissue damage, such as from burns or frostbite
Dry skin
Mucous membranes that are not moist, such as from dehydration
A lack of normal flora, such as from antibiotics
Insufficient knowledge to avoid exposure to pathogens. This is a
lack of knowledge about how to prevent infection. Examples of
insufficient knowledge to avoid exposure to pathogens include:
Not knowing how to wash hands properly
Not knowing how to prevent the spread of germs
Not knowing how to clean and disinfect surfaces
Not knowing how to handle food safely
, Compromised host defenses. These are the body’s second line of
defense against infection and include the immune system,
white blood cells, and inflammation. Examples of compromised host
defenses include:
Cancer
Immunosuppression
AIDS
Diabetes mellitus
Malnutrition
Chronic diseases, such as heart disease, lung disease,
and kidney disease
Medications, such as chemotherapy and steroids
Compromised circulation. This is a decrease in blood flow to the
tissues. Examples of compromised circulation include:
Obesity
Lymphedema
Peripheral vascular disease
Smoking
Diabetes mellitus
A site for organism invasion. This is an opening in the body that
allows pathogens to enter. Examples of a site for organism invasion
include:
A surgical wound
A burn
A break in the skin
A urinary tract infection
A respiratory infection
A central venous line
An enteral feeding tube
Contact with contagious agents. This is exposure to pathogens that
can cause infection. Examples of contact with contagious agents
include:
Being around someone who is sick
Touching something that is contaminated
Not covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze
Increased vulnerability of the infant. This is a condition that
makes an infant more susceptible to infection. Examples of increased
vulnerability of infants include:
Control Nursing Care Plan and
Management
Empower your nursing practice with this comprehensive nursing care
plan and management guide, specifically designed to support nurses in
providing optimal care for patients at risk for infection. Gain a deeper
understanding of nursing assessments, evidence-based interventions,
realistic goals, and nursing diagnoses tailored to infection prevention
and control. By utilizing this guide, nurses can enhance their skills in
identifying, preventing, and managing infections.
Table of Contents
What is the risk for infection and infection control?
Causes of infection
Nursing Care Plans and Management
Nursing Problem Priorities
Nursing Assessment
Nursing Diagnosis
Nursing Goals
Nursing Interventions and Actions
1. Performing Assessment and Early Detection
2. Infection Control and Prevention
3. Implementing Isolation Precautions
Standard Precautions
Airborne Precautions
Droplet Precautions
Contact Precautions
Proper Wearing of PPE
4. Promoting Surgical Asepsis
5. Providing Client and Caregiver Education
Recommended Resources
References and Sources
What is the risk for infection and infection
control?
,Infections occur when the natural defense mechanisms of an individual
are inadequate to protect them. Microorganisms such as bacteria,
viruses, fungi, and other parasites invade susceptible hosts through
inevitable injuries and exposures. People have dedicated cells or
tissues that deal with the threat of infection. These are known as the
immune system.
The human immune system is crucial for survival in a world full of
potentially deadly and harmful microbes. The serious impairment of
this system can predispose to severe, even life-threatening, infections.
Organs and tissues involved in the immune system include the thymus,
bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, appendix, tonsils, and Peyer’s
patches (in the small intestine). If the client’s immune system cannot
battle the invading microorganism sufficiently, an infection occurs.
Breaks in the integrity of the integument, mucous membranes, soft
tissues, or even organs such as the kidneys and lungs can be sites for
infections after trauma, invasive procedures, or invasion of pathogens
through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. A complete chain of
events is necessary for infection to occur. Six elements are necessary,
including a causative organism, a reservoir, a mode of transmission
from the reservoir to the host, and a mode of entry into a susceptible
host.
It is also important to recognize the difference between infection and
infectious disease. Infectious disease is the state in which the infected
host displays a decline in wellness due to the infection. When the host
interacts immunologically with an organism but remains symptom-free,
the definition of infectious disease has not been met.
A common means for infectious diseases to spread is by directly
transferring bacteria, viruses, or other germs from one person to
another. This can transpire via contact, airborne, sexual contact, or
sharing of IV drug paraphernalia. Also, having inadequate resources,
lack of knowledge, and being malnourished place an individual at high
risk of developing an infection.
Infections prolong healing and can result in death if left untreated.
Antimicrobials are widely used to treat infections when susceptibility is
present. However, no antimicrobial is effective for some organisms,
such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Another common
medical intervention is called immunization. This is also universally
,used for those who are at high risk for infection. Handwashing is the
best way to break the chain of infection.
Infection control refers to the policy and procedures implemented to
control and minimize the dissemination of infections in hospitals and
other healthcare settings with the main purpose of reducing infection
rates. The primary purpose of infection control programs was to focus
on the surveillance of hospital-associated infections (HAIs) and
incorporate the basic understandings of epidemiology to elucidate risk
factors for HAIs (Habboush et al., 2023).
Specific nursing interventions will depend on the nature and severity of
the risk. Clients should be informed and well-educated by nurses on
recognizing the signs of infection and how to reduce their risk.
Causes of infection
Various health problems and conditions can create a favorable
environment that would encourage the development of infections.
Here are the common causes of infection and factors that place a
client at risk for infection.
Inadequate primary defenses. These are the body’s first line of
defense against infection and they include the skin, mucous
membranes, and normal flora. Examples of inadequate primary
defenses include:
A break in the skin, such as a cut or wound
Tissue damage, such as from burns or frostbite
Dry skin
Mucous membranes that are not moist, such as from dehydration
A lack of normal flora, such as from antibiotics
Insufficient knowledge to avoid exposure to pathogens. This is a
lack of knowledge about how to prevent infection. Examples of
insufficient knowledge to avoid exposure to pathogens include:
Not knowing how to wash hands properly
Not knowing how to prevent the spread of germs
Not knowing how to clean and disinfect surfaces
Not knowing how to handle food safely
, Compromised host defenses. These are the body’s second line of
defense against infection and include the immune system,
white blood cells, and inflammation. Examples of compromised host
defenses include:
Cancer
Immunosuppression
AIDS
Diabetes mellitus
Malnutrition
Chronic diseases, such as heart disease, lung disease,
and kidney disease
Medications, such as chemotherapy and steroids
Compromised circulation. This is a decrease in blood flow to the
tissues. Examples of compromised circulation include:
Obesity
Lymphedema
Peripheral vascular disease
Smoking
Diabetes mellitus
A site for organism invasion. This is an opening in the body that
allows pathogens to enter. Examples of a site for organism invasion
include:
A surgical wound
A burn
A break in the skin
A urinary tract infection
A respiratory infection
A central venous line
An enteral feeding tube
Contact with contagious agents. This is exposure to pathogens that
can cause infection. Examples of contact with contagious agents
include:
Being around someone who is sick
Touching something that is contaminated
Not covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze
Increased vulnerability of the infant. This is a condition that
makes an infant more susceptible to infection. Examples of increased
vulnerability of infants include:
