Infection Control

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Q.Define infection control. Explain principles of infection prevention and control. 

Q.Discuss the role of nurse in prevention of hospital acquired infection. 

Q.Describe prevention and control of cross infection.

Answers: 

Infection Control

Definition:
Infection control refers to the policies, procedures, and activities aimed at preventing and controlling the spread of infections, especially in healthcare settings. It involves measures to reduce the risk of transmission of infectious agents to patients, healthcare workers, and visitors.

Principles of Infection Prevention and Control

  1. Hand Hygiene: Regular and proper hand washing or use of alcohol-based hand rubs to eliminate pathogens.
  2. Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Gloves, masks, gowns, and eye protection to create barriers against infection.
  3. Sterilization and Disinfection: Proper cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of medical instruments and environment.
  4. Safe Injection Practices: Using sterile needles and syringes and disposing of them safely.
  5. Respiratory Hygiene and Cough Etiquette: Covering mouth and nose during coughing or sneezing to prevent droplet spread.
  6. Environmental Cleaning: Regular cleaning of surfaces and equipment to reduce contamination.
  7. Waste Management: Proper disposal of medical and biological waste to prevent infection spread.
  8. Isolation Precautions: Separating infected patients to prevent transmission.
  9. Education and Training: Continuous training of healthcare workers on infection control practices.

Role of Nurse in Prevention of Hospital Acquired Infection (HAI)

  • Adherence to Hand Hygiene: Nurses must perform hand hygiene before and after patient contact.
  • Use of PPE: Proper use and disposal of gloves, masks, and gowns.
  • Aseptic Techniques: Maintaining sterile techniques during procedures like catheterization, injections, wound dressing.
  • Monitoring and Reporting: Observing signs of infection and reporting promptly.
  • Patient Education: Teaching patients and families about infection prevention measures.
  • Environmental Care: Ensuring cleanliness of patient surroundings.
  • Safe Handling of Equipment: Proper sterilization and disposal of instruments.
  • Implementing Isolation Protocols: Ensuring infected patients are isolated as per guidelines.

Prevention and Control of Cross Infection

  • Definition: Cross infection is the transmission of infectious agents between patients, healthcare workers, or visitors within a healthcare setting.

  • Prevention Measures:

    • Strict hand hygiene practices.
    • Use of PPE to prevent direct contact with infectious agents.
    • Proper sterilization and disinfection of instruments and surfaces.
    • Safe handling and disposal of sharps and contaminated waste.
    • Isolation of infected patients.
    • Avoiding sharing of personal items among patients.
    • Educating healthcare workers and patients about infection risks.

  • Control Measures:

    • Early identification and isolation of infected cases.
    • Surveillance and monitoring of infection rates.
    • Prompt treatment of infections.
    • Regular audits and feedback on infection control practices.


Previous Year Questions (As per INC & ANC Syllabus)

Long Questions

* Define infection control. Explain principles of infection prevention and control.
* Describe the chain of infection and methods to break the chain.
* Explain medical and surgical asepsis in detail.
* Discuss the role of nurse in prevention of hospital acquired infection.
* Explain standard precautions followed in hospitals.
* Describe hand washing procedure and its importance.
* Explain sterilization and disinfection methods used in hospitals.
* Discuss biomedical waste management in infection control.
* Explain isolation techniques and barrier nursing.
* Describe personal protective equipment and its uses.
* Explain transmission of infection and preventive measures.
* Discuss care of patient under isolation.
* Explain universal precautions in nursing practice.
* Describe prevention and control of cross infection.
* Explain nurse’s responsibilities in infection control practices.


 Short Notes

* Infection control
* Chain of infection
* Cross infection
* Nosocomial infection
* Medical asepsis
* Surgical asepsis
* Hand hygiene
* Sterilization
* Disinfection
* Antiseptics
* Disinfectants
* Isolation technique
* Barrier nursing
* Biomedical waste management
* Personal protective equipment
* Universal precautions
* Autoclave
* Fumigation
* Contamination
* Standard precautions


Very Short Questions / Viva Questions

* Define infection control.
* What is asepsis?
* Define sterilization.
* Define disinfection.
* What is cross infection?
* What is nosocomial infection?
* Define hand hygiene.
* What is barrier nursing?
* Define isolation.
* What is contamination?
* Name one disinfectant.
* What is autoclave?
* Define antiseptic.
* What is PPE?
* Define biomedical waste.
* What is universal precaution?
* Define surgical asepsis.
* Define medical asepsis.
* What is hand washing?
* State one method of infection prevention.


 MCQs (Previous Year Type)

* The best method to prevent spread of infection is:
  a) Isolation
  b) Hand washing
  c) Antibiotics
  d) Surgery
  Ans: b) Hand washing

* Hospital acquired infection is called:
  a) Community infection
  b) Cross infection
  c) Nosocomial infection
  d) Viral infection
  Ans: c) Nosocomial infection

* The process of destroying all microorganisms is called:
  a) Cleaning
  b) Sterilization
  c) Disinfection
  d) Boiling
  Ans: b) Sterilization

* Gloves, mask and gown are examples of:
  a) Furniture
  b) PPE
  c) Medicines
  d) Nutrition
  Ans: b) PPE

* Sterilization by moist heat is done using:
  a) Hot air oven
  b) Autoclave
  c) UV rays
  d) Filtration
  Ans: b) Autoclave

* Infection transmitted from one patient to another is called:
  a) Cross infection
  b) Genetic disorder
  c) Congenital disease
  d) Deficiency disease
  Ans: a) Cross infection

* Biomedical waste should be:
  a) Thrown anywhere
  b) Properly segregated and disposed
  c) Stored openly
  d) Mixed with food waste
  Ans: b) Properly segregated and disposed

* Surgical asepsis means:
  a) Reduction of microorganisms
  b) Complete absence of microorganisms
  c) Cleaning of ward only
  d) Washing clothes
  Ans: b) Complete absence of microorganisms


 Important Repeated Questions for Exam

* Define infection control and explain its principles.
* Describe chain of infection and methods to break it.
* Explain medical and surgical asepsis.
* Discuss hand washing procedure and importance.
* Explain sterilization and disinfection methods.
* Write short note on biomedical waste management.
* Describe isolation techniques and barrier nursing.
* Explain nurse’s role in prevention of infection.