Immunoglobulins
- IgG: the most abundant immunoglobulin; able to cross the placenta. It is found in chronic infection.
- IgA: found in secretions and is found in breastmilk, which can confer immunity once consumed.
- IgM: the largest immunoglobulin, found to rise during acute infections.
- IgE: allerges; responsible for pruritus/urticaria, and helminths.
- IgD: no role
Asepsis
- Medical Asepsis: the use of barriers (PPE), hand hygiene, and environmental cleaning to minimize microorganisms.
- Surgical Asepsis: cleaning of the sterile field to isolate the operative area from the unsterile environment to avert contamination of open wounds.
Food & Water-borne Illness
Food and water-borne infections, (mn. Take Care Po, HA!)
- Typhoid
- Cholera
- Polio
- Hepatitis A and E
- Amoebiasis
Lines of Defense
First Line of Defense
“Natural immunity” provided by:
- Intact skin and mucous membranes
- Enzymes in tears and body secretions
- Normal flora of the body
Second Line of Defense
Also natural immunity, the defensive immune cells of the body:
- Neutrophils, Eosinophils, Basophils
- Macrophages
- Natural Killer (NK) Cells: killers of virus and bacterial-infection cells.
Third Line of Defense
Acquired immunity; B-cells and T-cells. They mature in the bone marrow and thymus; these are the primary lymphoid organs. Secondary lymphoid organs include the appendix, spleen, and tonsils. They produce immunoglobulins and antibodies.
- B cells remain in the bone marrow to reach maturity. They differentiate to become antibody-producing plasma cells, produces antibodies and immunoglobulins, and are antigen producing cells.
- T cells migrate into the thymus to mature. They are composed of CD4 (Helper) T-cells and CD8 (Cytotoxic) T-cells.
- CD4: . These are the cells destroyed in AIDS, and is monitored for patients with AIDS.
- CD8
Immunity can be passive or active, and also natural or artificial.
Antibodies
Antibodies react with antigens. Antigens stimulate the production of antibodies.
Infection Control
Disinfection and sterilization both destroy microbes in non-living items. Distinctively, sterilization includes the destruction of gram-positive bacilli. Disinfection does not eliminate spores. For the destruction of microorganisms on living tissue, the action is termed as Antisepsis.
Chain of Infection
The chain of infection starts with a (1) microorganism, in a (2) reservoir, that exits through the (3) portal of exit, travels via the (4) mode of transmission, then enters the (5) portal of entry into a (6) host, the most important aspect of this chain.
- The easiest aspect to break in this chain is the mode of transmission.
Aerosol-Generating Procedures (AGP)
These procedures require the use of N95 masks, which protect against aerosols. (mn. BASIC)
- Bronchoscopy
- Airway Suctioning
- Sputum Induction
- Intubation and Extubation
- PR, Ventilation (Manual, non-invasive bipap., CPAP)
Medical Wastes
Waste produced during the course of care and are contaminated or visibly soiled:
- Blood or other potentially infectious materials
- Urine, feces, suctioned fluids
- Irrigating solutions, excretions, and secretions
A color-coding scheme is used for medical waste management:
- Red Container: sharps
- Green Container: non-infectious wet waste
- Black Container: non-infectious dry waste
- Yellow Container: infectious waste
- Orange Containers: radioactive waste
Hospital Infection Control Committee
- Chief of Hospital
- Infection Control Doctor
- Infection Control Nurse
Infection Control Basics
This includes sterilization, environmental care, healthcare waste management, and healthcare worker protection, etc.
- Hand Hygiene
- Isolation Procedure: the separation of agents to prevent contamination.
- Decontamination: the removal of moist body substances from items before cleaning and disassembly.
- Disinfection: the use of chemical agents. Spores are not destroyed.
Which of the following in the chain of infection is the easiest to break? a.) Portal of Entry b.) Portal of Exit c.) Mode of Transmission d.) Incubation
Which of the following describe IgA? a.) The most abundant immunoglobulin b.) Crosses placenta c.) Present in saliva and breastmilk d.) The first immunoglobulin that rises during acute infection
Which immunoglobulin is the largest? a.) IgM
Which immunoglobulin is for acute infection? a.) IgM
Which immunoglobulin is for chronic infection? a.) IgG
The nurse understands that, in the operating room, the absence of pathogenic organisms is called? a.) Disinfection b.) Sterilization c.) Antisepsis d.) Asepsis
A bacterial appears violet and rod-like under a microscope. Which is an accurate description? a.) A gram-positive bacilli. b.) A gram-positive cocci. c.) A gram-negative bacilli. d.) A gram-negative cocci.
Which of the following admitted patients is not placed in a negative pressure airflow private room? a.) A 45-y.o. with pulmonary tuberculosis b.) A 23-y.o. with varicella zoster c.) A 7-y.o. child with rubeola d.) A 5-y.o. child with diphtheria
Which of the following does not affect susceptibility to infection? a.) Stress b.) Chronic disease c.) Increasing Age d.) Poor nutrition e.) Increased normal flora in the body.
Which of the following is used for amoebiasis? a.) Blood and body fluid b.) Reverse isolation c.) Enteric isolation d.) Contact isolation
The body’s third line of defense include: a.) B cells b.) T cells c.) NK or natural killer cells d.) A and B only e.) All of the above
A breastfeeding mothers
Mr. X was diagnosed with acute hepatitis A. He has undergone work up and results are obtained on the next follow up. Which of the following shows acute Hepatitis A? a.) Reactive AntiHAV IgM b.) Reactive AntiGAB IgG c.) Reactive HbsAg d.) B and C only
Which of the folloiowng conditions will show rise in IgE? a.) A 70-y.o. patient with Ascariasis b.) A 53-y.o. patient with COVID-19 c.) A 36-y.o. patient Tuberculosis d.) A 32-y.o. patient with Typhoid Fever
Which of the following may be used for aerosol-generating procedures
Nurse J has finished suctioning the secretions of a patient on a mechanical ventilator with COVID-19. The first step for removal of protective barriers after leaving the isolation room of the patient is? a.) Removal of eyewear or goggles b.) Removal of gown c.) Removal of gloves d.) Hand washing
This is not included in general waste: a.) Diapers b.) Suctioned fluids c.) Paper towels used for drying hands d.) Dressing wrappers