Ch 5: Immunity, Inflammation, & Infection

A physician has just told a patient that he has an autoimmune condition. What is the correct term for this type of condition

• the patient's immune system is not adequate to prevent infection

• the patient has acquired an infection in health care facility

• the patient's immune system is attacking his own tissues

• the patient has immune inflammation caused by an infection

Answer explanation

Autoimmunity is a condition in which the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues. Immunodeficiency, also called immunocompromised or

immunosuppressed, is when the body is unable to launch an adequate immune response and is at great risk for infection. Health care–associated infections (HAIs) that are acquired within a health care facility used to be called nosocomial infections. Now they are HAIs and can affect both the client and health care worker. Inflammation is a process that includes a series of cellular changes that signal the body’s response to injury or infection.

the nurse inspects for inflammation at an intravenous infusion site. which of the following are classic signs of local inflammation

select all that apply

• heat

• drainage

• redness

• swelling

Answer explanation

The classic signs of local inflammation include heat, redness, and swelling at the site, and precede infection. Inflammation does not include drainage or fever, which are signs of infection and tissue injury.

in the first phase of the inflammatory process, capillary permeability increases. what purpose does this increase serve

• reduces pain in the inflamed tissue by diluting bradykin

• draws excess fluid out of inflamed tissue to reduce swelling

• allows monocytes and neutrophils to pass into the inflamed tissue

• counteracts broncho-constriction in antigen-antibody reactions

Answer explanation

In the first stage of the inflammatory process, capillary permeability increases, allowing monocytes and neutrophils to move into the inflamed tissue. Bradykinin helps mediate blood vessel dilation and permeability. Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal cortex that is an anti-inflammatory substance that helps to impede the inflammatory process and helps to counteract bronchoconstriction in antigen–antibody reactions.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-3

why have numerous antibacterial drugs but relatively few antiviral drugs been develop

• virus have a more advanced ability to develop resistance to drugs

• making antibacterial drug is more profitable because only a few chemical that are capable killing viruses have been develop

• very few chemicals that are capable of killing viruses have been developed

• the virus lives inside the host cells and drug that harm host cells as well

Answer explanation

There are few antiviral drugs because replication of the virus occurs within the host cell, so killing the virus will harm the host cell. Viruses do not have more advanced ability to develop resistance to drugs. The profitable cost of antibacterial drugs has nothing to do with the number of viruses. Current antiretroviral drugs do not kill but help to suppress viral reproduction or growth. They do not cure the virus.

Characteristics of the incubation period of the infectious process include which of the following

• the infected person is often very contagious

• signs and symptoms are most severe

• a high fever is usually the only symptom present

• the patient is in the recovery phase of infection

Answer explanation

Characteristics of the incubation period include the infected person being very contagious. Generally the client is asymptomatic and fever is not present. The recovery phase occurs after the infection phase

patients on an infectious disease unit have each of the infections listed. which is/ are health care - associated infection(s)

select all that apply

• gonorrhea

• hepatitis

• tuberculosis

• vancomycin - resistant enteroccus

Answer explanation

Health care–associated infections (HAIs) related to multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) include vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE). Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease. Tuberculosis is an airborne infection. Hepatitis B, and

not hepatitis A, is an HAI that can be transmitted by a needle puncture. Streptococcal pharyngitis is a contagious infection, spread through close contact with an infected individual. A definitive diagnosis is made based on the results of a throat culture, and antibiotics are given to both prevent complications and speed recovery.

Nurses on an infectious disease unit want to implement measures to reduce bacterial resistance to antimicrobials. which measure(s) will help to prevent the development of bacterial resistance

SATA

• Antimicrobials are discontinued as soon as symptoms resolves

• Antimicrobial selection is based on the results of culture and sensitivity tests

• antimicrobials are prescribed only for serious infections

• vaccination for infectious diseases are encouraged

Answer explanation

Measures that help to protect against the development of bacterial resistance include antimicrobial selection is based on results of culture and sensitivity tests, and antimicrobials are prescribed only for serious infections. Vaccinations are encouraged for infectious disease. To prevent recurrence of illness, antimicrobials should be continued until the entire course has been completed or the health care provider orders them to be discontinued. Overuse of broad-spectrum antimicrobials encourages the development of resistance, which eventually decreases their range of effectiveness.

the primary mode of transmission of health care - associated infections is

• soiled caregiver hands

• direct contact between patients

• organism brought in by visitors

• faulty sterilization procedures

Answer explanation

Soiled caregiver hands are the primary mode of transmission of health care– associated infections (HAIs). This includes hand washing with use of running water, use of an alcohol-based waterless antiseptic, or a surgical scrub when assisting with operative procedures. Direct contact between clients is not a great threat, but hand hygiene and use of antiseptic solution need to be encouraged with all clients. Visitors are encouraged to use antiseptics when entering and leaving a client’s room, and additional precautions are needed if clients are on Transmission- Based Precautions. Faulty sterilization procedures are not a viable threat to transmission of HAIs.

which statement is true regarding the need to use standard precautions

• standard precautions are required only when caring for patients who open wounds

• standard precaution are required only when caring for any patient in any setting

• standard precautions are required when caring for patients with tuberculosis, hepatitis, or HIV infection

• standard precautions are required only when caring for patients who are highly susceptible

Answer explanation

Standard Precautions need to be used when caring for any client in any setting. Transmission-Based Precautions are used when caring for clients with open wounds, tuberculosis, hepatitis, and HIV infection, and also for clients who are highly susceptible to infection.

the advantage of using HEPA filter respirators rather than surgical masks is that

• surgical mask are too expensive for routine use

• HEPA filter respirators protect the caregiver by filtering inspired air

• Surgical mask protect the caregiver against tuberculosis but not other infections

• HEPA filter respirators protect the patient but not the caregriver

Answer explanation

High-efficiency particulate absorption (HEPA) filter respirators rather than surgical masks need to be used to protect the caregiver by filtering inspired air, and are used when caring for a client with tuberculosis and other airborne infections. They are

not used to protect the client and are more expensive than surgical masks.