Question

Case Study, Infection Control A student nurse has been assigned to a new resident on your unit. The resident has a dry cough, and the nursing student was informed in the report that the registered nurse is waiting for the results of the COVID-19 test. COVID-19 like other diseases requires certain conditions that promote the growth of germs. What are the conditions that promote growth and multiplication of germs? What can the nursing student do to make it harder for pathogens to grow and multiply? (15 points) 2. What nonspecific defense mechanism against COVID-19 pathogen does the resident use to fight this infection? What nonspecific signs of infection will the resident have? (15 points) 3. What precautions should the nursing student take when caring for the resident? (15points) 4. The nursing student has been instructed by the RN to remember the six key conditions that must be met for an infection, such as COVID-19, to be spread from one person to another. What are the six key conditions that have to be present? How can the chain of infection be broken? (15 points) 5. What are the four major methods of infection control that the nursing student needs to be familiar with in the care of residents? What is the single most important method of preventing the spread of infection? (15 Points) 6. Define pandemic. What is your responsibility as a nurse to care for this patient? How would you keep yourself safe? What is personal protective equipment? Can you wear any type of mask when caring for this patient. What does the CDC recommend for protection of health care workers. (15 Points) 7. Reference page. (10 points) Each question is given a point value. The reply should be at least one paragraph for each question. You can use on line resources from CDC, WHO,ATI. You must submit you resources, they must be no older than five years. Paper must be typed, this will be qqual to a test grade. Due April 3,2020 it must be email to instructor by 3:00pm. Last submissions will be subject to a 10 point deduction.

Answer 1

1 - All germs require nutrients for energy. Many germs use carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus or sulfur from their nutrient source to produce energy. Other than this many germs need moisture to grow and reproduce. In addition, each species of germ has a specific environmental preference. Preferences include the best pH, temperature range, amount of light, concentration of gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, and the amount of pressure present. To hinder the growth of germs the nursing student can make sure that, the unit is neat and clean. In addition, should ask the resident to maintain his personal hygiene and ensure that he is covering his face while coughing and sneezing.

2 - a) Anatomic barriers

Anatomic barriers are located at body surfaces or within the body. They are partly effective in preventing virus spread.

b) Nonspecific inhibitors

Body fluids and tissues contain soluble viral inhibitors. Most prevent viral attachment, some directly inactivate viruses and others act intracellularly.

c) Phagocytosis

Viruses may be phagocytosed to different degrees by polymorphonuclear leukocytes and macrophages.

Nonspecific forms of infection for the resident include elevated local temperature, reduced oxygen tension, metabolic alterations, and acid production.

3 - Protective measures that the nursing student should do include

a) Use of personal protective equipment that includes gloves, facemask, goggles, and isolation gown.

b) Routine cleaning and disinfection of unit

c) Proper disposal of waste materials and infected things

d) Use proper handwashing technique while washing hands

e) Use alcohol-based hand rubs properly

4 - The six key conditions include

The infectious agent is the pathogen (germ) that causes diseases

• The reservoir includes places in the environment where the pathogen lives (this includes people, animals and insects, medical equipment, and soil and water)
• Portal of exit is the way the infectious agent leaves the reservoir (through open wounds, aerosols, and splatter of body fluids including coughing, sneezing, and saliva)
• Mode of transmission is the way the infectious agent can be passed on (through direct or indirect contact, ingestion, or inhalation)
• Portal of entry is the way the infectious agent can enter a new host (through broken skin, the respiratory tract, mucous membranes, and catheters and tubes)
• A susceptible host can be any person (the most vulnerable of whom are receiving healthcare, are immunocompromised, or have invasive medical devices including lines, devices, and airways)

  

The way to stop germs from spreading is by interrupting this chain at any link. Break the chain by cleaning your hands frequently, staying up to date on your vaccines (including the flu shot), covering coughs and sneezes and staying home when sick, following the rules for standard and contact isolation, using personal protective equipment the right way, cleaning and disinfecting the environment, sterilizing medical instruments and equipment, following safe injection practices, and using antibiotics wisely to prevent antibiotic resistance. Learn 10 ways to protect patients.

5 - Four major methods of infection control

a) Health policy

Promote a safety climate and develop policies which facilitate the implementation of infection control measures

b) Hand hygiene

c ) Personal protective equipment

d) Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette

A most important method of preventing infection is hand washing

6 - A pandemic is an outbreak of a disease that occurs over a wide geographic area and affects an exceptionally high proportion of the population.

The responsibility of a nurse is to provide comprehensive care to the resident.

Those caring the patient should take all the safety measures to protect yourself.

Personal protective equipment includes mask, goggles, gloves and gowns