When a pathogen enters the body and reproduces, it can cause an infection, damage body cells, and cause illness symptoms that eventually lead to disease. ...

Stages of infection describe what happens to a susceptible host once a pathogen invades the human body. The stages of infection are incubation, prodromal, ...

Natural flora, body system defenses, and inflammation are natural barriers of the body against infectious agents regardless of previous exposure. Normal ...

The inflammatory response is the body's defense against infection, injury, or irritation from bacteria, trauma, toxins, or heat. Inflammation helps ...

The immune system's inflammatory response destroys the invading pathogen, permitting the tissue to heal. The changes during the cellular and vascular ...

The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against ...

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) occur in a healthcare facility while a person receives care for another ailment. This category also includes ...

Essential infection prevention measures are based on the knowledge of the infection chain, the modes of transmission in healthcare settings, and the use ...

The condition of being free from disease-causing living pathogens is asepsis. Aseptic techniques include a set of standard practices to achieve asepsis. ...

Asepsis is the practice of preventing or breaking the chain of infection. The nurse employs aseptic techniques to prevent the spread of microorganisms and ...

Handwashing is hand hygiene with plain or antimicrobial soap and water to physically remove dirt, organic material, and microorganisms. However, it may ...

The pre-procedure steps of handwashing include removing jewelry and rolling up sleeves. However, many organizations allow staff to wear wedding rings. The ...

To wash hands properly, follow these steps: Wet the hands. Use enough soap to cover all surfaces of the hands. Rub both hands palm to palm. Rub the ...

Cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization are the methods that help to break the infection chain and prevent disease. Cleaning The cleaning process ...

As used in a healthcare facility, sterilization destroys all microorganisms through physical or chemical methods. The physical method includes steam, dry ...

In healthcare, the chemical method of sterilization uses chemical sterilants to treat surgical instruments and medical supplies to help prevent the ...

Standard precautions are the minimum infection control safeguards used while caring for all patients, irrespective of their disease condition. They help ...

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is unique clothing or equipment worn by an employee to minimize or prevent exposure to infectious agents. PPE creates ...

Donning PPE must be completed before contact with the patient. This process protects from infectious agents. The sequence and action included in each ...

The sequence of removing or doffing PPE starts with the gloves, as they are the most contaminated. Next is removal of the face shield or goggles, as they ...

Transmission-based precautions are for patients known to be infected or suspected to be infected or colonized with organisms that pose a significant risk ...

Transmission-based precautions are for patients infected or suspected to be infected (or colonized) with organisms posing a significant risk to others. ...