University of Northern Philippines
University of Northern Philippines
University of Northern Philippines
Module 1
FUNDAMENTALS IN NURSING SKILLS/LAB
MODULE DESCRIPTION
This module presents the concepts and principles of infection control with explanation
of the causes of infection, mode of transmission and defenses against infection. The module
additionally describes the specific precautions that must be taken during invasive procedures, in
particular aseptic technique.
Given actual clinical setting with supervision the Level I students will:
1. Able to explain the relationship between the infection chain and transmission of
infection.
2. Give example of preventing infection for each element of the infection chain.
3. Identify the normal defenses of the body against infection.
4. Discuss the events in the inflammatory response.
5. Identify patients most at risk for infection.
6. Describe the signs/symptoms of a localized infection and those of a systemic infection.
7. Explains the difference between medical and surgical asepsis.
8. Perform proper procedures for hand hygiene.
PRE-TEST
Topic 1. Asepsis
1. Medical Asepsis
2. Surgical Asepsis
Medical Asepsis
Basic medical aseptic technique breaks the chain of infection. Use these techniques
for all patients, even when no infection is diagnosed. Aggressive, preventive
measures are highly effective in reducing HAI’s. examples of medical asepsis are:
1. Hand hygiene
2. Barrier techniques and,
3. Routine environmental cleanings
Surgical Asepsis
1. A sterile object remains sterile only when touched by another sterile object.
This principle guides a nurse in placement of sterile objects and how to handle
them.
a. Sterile touching sterile remains sterile
b. Sterile touching clean becomes contaminated
c. Sterile touching contaminated becomes contaminated
d. Sterile state is questionable. Discard it regardless of whether the object
itself appears untouched.
2. Only sterile objects may be placed on a sterile field.
3. A sterile object or field out of the range of vision or an object held below a
person’s waist is contaminated.
4. A sterile object or field becomes contaminated by prolonged exposure to air.
5. When sterile surface comes in contact with a wet, contaminated surface, the
sterile object or field becomes contaminated by capillary action
6. Fluids flow in the direction of gravity.
7. The edges of a sterile field or container are considered to be contaminated.
Nature of Infection
- An infection is the invasion of a susceptible host by pathogens or microorganisms,
resulting in disease. It is important to know the difference between an infection
and colonization. Colonization is the presence and growth of microorganisms
within a host but without tissue invasion or damage.
Localized swelling
Localized redness
Pain or tenderness with palpation or movement
Palpable heat in the infected area
Loss of function of the body part affected, depending on the site and extent of
involvement
Republic of the Philippines
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES
Tamag, Vigan City
2700 Ilocos Sur
College of Nursing
Website: www.unp.edu.ph Mail: [email protected]
CP# 09177148749, 09175785986
Fever
Increased pulse and respiratory rate if the fever high
Malaise and loss of energy
Anorexia and, in some situations, nausea and vomiting
Enlargement and tenderness of lymph nodes that drain the area of infection
Chain of infection
- The presence of pathogen does not mean that an infection will occur. Infection
occurs in a cycle that depends on the presence of all of the following elements:
An infectious agent or pathogen
Reservoir or source for pathogen
A port of exit from the reservoir
A mode of transmission
A port of entry to the host
A susceptible host
Infectious Agent
Microorganism includes:
Bacteria
Viruses
Fungi and,
Protozoa
Infection can develop if this chain remains uninterrupted.
Republic of the Philippines
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES
Tamag, Vigan City
2700 Ilocos Sur
College of Nursing
Website: www.unp.edu.ph Mail: [email protected]
CP# 09177148749, 09175785986
Reservior
A place where microorganisms survive
1. Food
2. Water
3. Temperature
4. PH
5. Light
Portal of Exit
1. Skin and mucous membranes
2. Respiratory tract
3. Urinary tract
4. Gastrointestinal tract
5. Reproductive tract
6. Blood
Republic of the Philippines
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES
Tamag, Vigan City
2700 Ilocos Sur
College of Nursing
Website: www.unp.edu.ph Mail: [email protected]
CP# 09177148749, 09175785986
Mode of transmission
Each disease has a specific mode of transmission.
Contact
1. Direct
2. Indirect
3. Droplet
4. Airborne
5. Vehicles
6. Vector
Portal of entry
The means of a pathogen entering a host: the means of entry can be the same
as one that is the portal of exit (gastrointestinal, respiratory, genitourinary
tract).
Susceptible Host
Susceptible host describes a host (human or animal) not possessing enough
resistance against a particular pathogen to prevent disease or infection from
occurring when exposed to the pathogen; in humans this may occur if the
person’s resistance is low because of poor nutrition, lack of exercise of a
coexisting illness that weakens the host.
Breaking chain of infection
Infectious agent
Portal of exit
Method of transmission
Portal of entry
Using sterile technique for invasive procedures, when exposing open wounds
or handling dressings
Placing used disposable needles and syringes in puncture-resistant containers
for disposal
Providing all clients with own personal care items
Susceptible host
Modes of Transmission
1. Direct contact: describes the way in which microorganisms are transferred from person
to person through biting, touching, kissing, or sexual intercourse; droplet spread is also a form
of direct contact but can occur only if the source and the host are within 3 feet from each
other; transmission by droplet can occur when a person coughs, sneezes, spits, or talks.
3. Air: airborne transmission involves droplets or dust; droplet nuclei can remain in the air
for long periods and dust particles containing infectious agents can become airborne infecting
a susceptible host generally through the respiratory tract
Medical Asepsis
- Control or Elimination of Infectious Agent
1. Cleaning
2. Disinfecting and sterilization
- Protection of the susceptible host
- Control or elimination of reservoirs of infection
- Control of portals of exit/entry
- Control of transmission
1. Standard precaution
Hand hygiene
- The most effective basic technique in preventing and controlling the
transmission of infection is hand hygiene (Mathur, 2011; WHO, 2009). Hand
hygiene is a general term that applies to four technique:
Handwashing
Anti-septic hand wash
Anti-septic hand rub
Or surgical hand antisepsis
Republic of the Philippines
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES
Tamag, Vigan City
2700 Ilocos Sur
College of Nursing
Website: www.unp.edu.ph Mail: [email protected]
CP# 09177148749, 09175785986
POST TEST
REFERENCE
Potter, Patricia A., Stockert, Patricia A., Perry, Anne G., Hall, Amy M. (2017) Fundamentals of
Nursing. Ninth Edition Vol.1. Elsevier Inc. Singapore
https://www.rnpedia.com/nursing-notes/fundamentals-in-nursing-notes/asepsis-and-
infection-control/
REFLECTION