Foundations of Nursing - Exam 1 Spring
2024 (for the girlies edition).
What is a reservoir in the Infection Cycle?
A reservoir is any place where bacteria can grow successfully. Examples include food,
milk, soil, animals, and other humans
What is an Infectious Agent in the Infection Cycle?
Anything that can infect a host. Examples include Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi, and
Parasites. Remember that these agents can vary in virulence (strength)
What is a portal of exit in the infection cycle?
The portal of exit is a means for the infectious agent to get out of the reservoir where it
has developed to infect another host. Examples include the respiratory tract via
coughing, the GI tract via feces, or blood.
Explain means of transmission in the infection cycle, and explain Direct and
Indirect Contact.
The way that an infectious agent is transferred once it is out of the body. There are two
types:
1.) Indirect Contact means the infectious agent is transmitted by a vector (a living thing)
or a fomite (nonliving thing), not human to human contact. An example of this is being
bitten by a mosquito, or touching a contaminated surface.
2.) Direct Contact is human to human contact. Examples of this include kissing and
having sex
What qualifies a disease or infection as "Droplet"?
Droplet infections are heavier in contact. They typically are spread when people are
closer together. An example of this would be two people face to face, and the person
infected coughs in their face. This is mostly spread via surfaces such as desks or water
fountains, and close contact situations with an infected person.
What qualifies a disease of infection as "Airborne"?
Airborne diseases and infections spread via particles that spread out in the air. An
airborne infection could be spread even if someone was coughing far away from that
person. It can also be spread by talking and sneezing into the air around person. Key
concept: are particles
What is a portal of entry in the infections cycle?
This is where the infectious agent enters a new host. It is usually similar to the portal of
exit. For example, say your best friend has the worst zit you've ever seen. If you (for
whatever reason) helped them pop it without gloves and have any kind of cut on your
hand or finger and the "zit" turns out to be an MRSA infected spider bite, its likely the
MRSA could infect your cut. The infected bite is the portal of exit, and the open cut on
your hand is the portal of entry.
Explain a susceptible host in the infection cycle, and list some factors as to why a
person could be considered one.
, A susceptible host is someone who is unfortunate enough to be prone to catching a
disease. Hosts have varying levels of susceptibility. People who are typically considered
the most susceptible hosts are those with autoimmune diseases, the very young, the
very old, and those with chronic illness.
List Droplet Diseases listed in the textbook.
List Airborne diseases listed in the textbook.
Explain the incubation period of an infection.
The incubation period Is the first contact of an infectious agent with the body. If any
signs or symptoms of illness are present, they will be hardly noticeable.
Explain the prodromal period of Infection
The prodromal period is the MOST infectious stage of an infection cycle. While
symptoms might be acute in the host, the infectious agent is highly spreadable. (Look to
NCLEX question #2 on page 710 of Taylor for concept practice)
Explain the Full stage of Illness
full body affected. Can be systemic, an example of this could be a case of pilonephritus
(kidney infection), or localized in which an example would be red streaks around an
infected cut with possible drainage. The peak of the infection.
Explain the Convalescent stage of infection
The convalescent stage is the "healing" stage. This is the comedown of the infection.
What are some interventions that can be carried out by the nurse to decrease
presence of infectious agents and protect from contact with reservoirs?
Sanitation of instruments and areas, Disinfection of tables and other surfaces,
Sterilization if needed, hand-washing to protect patient and self, housekeeping of
patient room to ensure a clean environment is kept.
What are some interventions appropriate for protection from reservoirs and
portals of exit?
handwashing, housekeeping (making sure tissues don't lay around, old dressings are
properly disposed of),
What are some interventions appropriate for protection from portals of exit and
means of transmission?
Isolation of the patient or self if needed, proper use of sterile technique to avoid contact
with infected areas, proper use of masks to protect from coughing, sneezing or air
particles, pesticide for vectors. adequate refrigeration for drugs and food
What are some interventions to protect against Portals of entry and susceptible
hosts?
hand hygiene, appropriate PPE, proper disposal of needles and sharps.
What are some interventions to protect against susceptible hosts and infectious
agents?
Immunizations, Screen health care staff
Describe the Vascular Phase of Inflammatory Response
Redness, heat, swelling, pain, loss of function, elevated temp, specific symptoms can
include cough or diarrhea
Describe the Cellular Phase of the Cellular Phase
Elevated WBC count, Increase in certain WBC types based on infection type, Elevated
erythrocyte sedimentation rate, Pathogen can be found in urine, blood, wound, sputum,
or stool.
2024 (for the girlies edition).
What is a reservoir in the Infection Cycle?
A reservoir is any place where bacteria can grow successfully. Examples include food,
milk, soil, animals, and other humans
What is an Infectious Agent in the Infection Cycle?
Anything that can infect a host. Examples include Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi, and
Parasites. Remember that these agents can vary in virulence (strength)
What is a portal of exit in the infection cycle?
The portal of exit is a means for the infectious agent to get out of the reservoir where it
has developed to infect another host. Examples include the respiratory tract via
coughing, the GI tract via feces, or blood.
Explain means of transmission in the infection cycle, and explain Direct and
Indirect Contact.
The way that an infectious agent is transferred once it is out of the body. There are two
types:
1.) Indirect Contact means the infectious agent is transmitted by a vector (a living thing)
or a fomite (nonliving thing), not human to human contact. An example of this is being
bitten by a mosquito, or touching a contaminated surface.
2.) Direct Contact is human to human contact. Examples of this include kissing and
having sex
What qualifies a disease or infection as "Droplet"?
Droplet infections are heavier in contact. They typically are spread when people are
closer together. An example of this would be two people face to face, and the person
infected coughs in their face. This is mostly spread via surfaces such as desks or water
fountains, and close contact situations with an infected person.
What qualifies a disease of infection as "Airborne"?
Airborne diseases and infections spread via particles that spread out in the air. An
airborne infection could be spread even if someone was coughing far away from that
person. It can also be spread by talking and sneezing into the air around person. Key
concept: are particles
What is a portal of entry in the infections cycle?
This is where the infectious agent enters a new host. It is usually similar to the portal of
exit. For example, say your best friend has the worst zit you've ever seen. If you (for
whatever reason) helped them pop it without gloves and have any kind of cut on your
hand or finger and the "zit" turns out to be an MRSA infected spider bite, its likely the
MRSA could infect your cut. The infected bite is the portal of exit, and the open cut on
your hand is the portal of entry.
Explain a susceptible host in the infection cycle, and list some factors as to why a
person could be considered one.
, A susceptible host is someone who is unfortunate enough to be prone to catching a
disease. Hosts have varying levels of susceptibility. People who are typically considered
the most susceptible hosts are those with autoimmune diseases, the very young, the
very old, and those with chronic illness.
List Droplet Diseases listed in the textbook.
List Airborne diseases listed in the textbook.
Explain the incubation period of an infection.
The incubation period Is the first contact of an infectious agent with the body. If any
signs or symptoms of illness are present, they will be hardly noticeable.
Explain the prodromal period of Infection
The prodromal period is the MOST infectious stage of an infection cycle. While
symptoms might be acute in the host, the infectious agent is highly spreadable. (Look to
NCLEX question #2 on page 710 of Taylor for concept practice)
Explain the Full stage of Illness
full body affected. Can be systemic, an example of this could be a case of pilonephritus
(kidney infection), or localized in which an example would be red streaks around an
infected cut with possible drainage. The peak of the infection.
Explain the Convalescent stage of infection
The convalescent stage is the "healing" stage. This is the comedown of the infection.
What are some interventions that can be carried out by the nurse to decrease
presence of infectious agents and protect from contact with reservoirs?
Sanitation of instruments and areas, Disinfection of tables and other surfaces,
Sterilization if needed, hand-washing to protect patient and self, housekeeping of
patient room to ensure a clean environment is kept.
What are some interventions appropriate for protection from reservoirs and
portals of exit?
handwashing, housekeeping (making sure tissues don't lay around, old dressings are
properly disposed of),
What are some interventions appropriate for protection from portals of exit and
means of transmission?
Isolation of the patient or self if needed, proper use of sterile technique to avoid contact
with infected areas, proper use of masks to protect from coughing, sneezing or air
particles, pesticide for vectors. adequate refrigeration for drugs and food
What are some interventions to protect against Portals of entry and susceptible
hosts?
hand hygiene, appropriate PPE, proper disposal of needles and sharps.
What are some interventions to protect against susceptible hosts and infectious
agents?
Immunizations, Screen health care staff
Describe the Vascular Phase of Inflammatory Response
Redness, heat, swelling, pain, loss of function, elevated temp, specific symptoms can
include cough or diarrhea
Describe the Cellular Phase of the Cellular Phase
Elevated WBC count, Increase in certain WBC types based on infection type, Elevated
erythrocyte sedimentation rate, Pathogen can be found in urine, blood, wound, sputum,
or stool.
