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Infection Control Nursing Flashcards
Free Nursing Study Cards on Infection Prevention
These free Nursing flashcards cover the principles of infection prevention and control, including the chain of infection, standard precautions, PPE use and hand hygiene protocols.
Question
What is an infection?
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Answer
The invasion and multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites) in body tissue — causing disease through direct cell damage, toxin production, or triggering immune responses.
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Question
What is the chain of infection?
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Answer
Six links: Infectious agent → Reservoir → Portal of exit → Mode of transmission → Portal of entry → Susceptible host. Breaking any link prevents infection spread.
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Question
What are the modes of transmission?
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Answer
Contact (direct skin/mucous membrane contact, or indirect via contaminated surfaces/equipment), droplet (respiratory secretions >5 μm), airborne (particles <5 μm), vehicle-borne (food, water, blood), and vector-borne (insects).
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Question
What are Standard Precautions?
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Answer
A set of infection control practices applied to all patients regardless of diagnosis: hand hygiene, PPE, safe handling of sharps, respiratory hygiene, safe waste and linen management, and environmental cleaning.
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Question
What is the WHO 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene?
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Answer
1. Before patient contact. 2. Before an aseptic task. 3. After body fluid exposure risk. 4. After patient contact. 5. After contact with patient surroundings. Critical to preventing healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs).
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Question
What is MRSA?
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Answer
Meticillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus — a bacterium resistant to many antibiotics including methicillin/flucloxacillin. Spread by contact; colonises skin and nostrils. Associated with serious HCAIs. Treated with vancomycin or daptomycin.
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Question
What is Clostridioides difficile (C. diff)?
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Answer
A spore-forming bacterium that causes diarrhoea and colitis when gut flora is disrupted (e.g. by antibiotics). Spores survive on surfaces for months. Spread by faeco-oral route. Requires contact precautions and soap (not gel) hand washing.
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Question
Why is soap (not alcohol gel) required for C. diff?
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Answer
Alcohol gel does not kill C. diff spores — it only works on vegetative bacteria. Physical removal with soap and water (friction) is necessary to dislodge and remove spores from hands.
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Question
What is CAUTI and how is it prevented?
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Answer
Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection. Prevented by: only catheterising when necessary, using aseptic technique on insertion, daily catheter care, maintaining a closed drainage system, and removing the catheter as soon as possible.
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Question
What is VAP (Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia)?
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Answer
Pneumonia developing ≥48 hours after intubation and mechanical ventilation. Prevention bundle: head of bed elevation 30–45°, oral decontamination, subglottic drainage, regular sedation holds, early weaning from ventilator.
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