NUR 103 – Infection Prevention and
Control
Introduction
Infection prevention and control (IPC) is a critical part of nursing practice. Nurses play a major
role in protecting patients, themselves, and the community from infections. Hospitals and clinics
can easily become breeding grounds for disease-causing microorganisms if strict precautions
are not followed.
1. What is Infection?
● An infection occurs when harmful microorganisms (like bacteria, viruses, or fungi) enter
the body and multiply.
● Examples: Tuberculosis, malaria, urinary tract infections (UTI), wound infections.
2. Chain of Infection
The spread of infection follows a cycle called the chain of infection:
1. Infectious Agent – The microorganism (e.g., bacteria, virus).
2. Reservoir – Where the microorganism lives (e.g., humans, animals, water).
3. Portal of Exit – How it leaves the reservoir (e.g., coughing, blood, urine).
4. Mode of Transmission – How it spreads (e.g., direct contact, air, food, insects).
5. Portal of Entry – How it enters a new host (e.g., cuts, mouth, respiratory tract).
6. Susceptible Host – A person with weak immunity or no protection.
Control
Introduction
Infection prevention and control (IPC) is a critical part of nursing practice. Nurses play a major
role in protecting patients, themselves, and the community from infections. Hospitals and clinics
can easily become breeding grounds for disease-causing microorganisms if strict precautions
are not followed.
1. What is Infection?
● An infection occurs when harmful microorganisms (like bacteria, viruses, or fungi) enter
the body and multiply.
● Examples: Tuberculosis, malaria, urinary tract infections (UTI), wound infections.
2. Chain of Infection
The spread of infection follows a cycle called the chain of infection:
1. Infectious Agent – The microorganism (e.g., bacteria, virus).
2. Reservoir – Where the microorganism lives (e.g., humans, animals, water).
3. Portal of Exit – How it leaves the reservoir (e.g., coughing, blood, urine).
4. Mode of Transmission – How it spreads (e.g., direct contact, air, food, insects).
5. Portal of Entry – How it enters a new host (e.g., cuts, mouth, respiratory tract).
6. Susceptible Host – A person with weak immunity or no protection.
