CT(IAC) Exam flashcards

33 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Chain of infection

Six links: infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, susceptible host. Breaking any link prevents transmission.

Standard Precautions

Infection control practices applied to all patients regardless of diagnosis: hand hygiene, gloves, gown, mask, eye protection, and safe handling of sharps and contaminated equipment.

Airborne precautions

Precautions for pathogens transmitted by small droplet nuclei (e.g., tuberculosis, measles, varicella). Require an AIIR with negative pressure, ≥12 air changes per hour, and an N95 respirator.

Droplet precautions

Precautions for pathogens spread by large droplets traveling about 3–6 feet (e.g., influenza, pertussis, meningococcus). Require a surgical mask for entrants and a private room or cohorting.

Contact precautions

Precautions for pathogens spread by direct or indirect contact (e.g., MRSA, VRE, C. difficile). Require gloves and gown on room entry and dedicated equipment.

Incubation period

Time from exposure to onset of symptoms. Examples: influenza 1–4 days; norovirus 12–48 hours; measles 10–14 days; varicella 10–21 days.

HAI rate per 1,000 device-days

Formula: (number of device-associated infections ÷ number of device-days) × 1,000. Used to compare infection rates across units and time periods.

Standardized infection ratio (SIR)

SIR = observed infections ÷ predicted infections. SIR less than 1 means fewer infections than predicted; a 95% confidence interval excluding 1.0 indicates statistical significance.

Device utilization ratio

DUR = device-days ÷ patient-days. Indicates how often a device (e.g., central line, ventilator, urinary catheter) is used relative to patient days.

Attack rate

Attack rate = (number of cases ÷ population at risk) × 100. Used in outbreak investigations to compare illness among exposed and unexposed groups.

Case-control study

Compares exposure history of cases and controls; odds ratio (OR) = (a×d) ÷ (b×c). OR greater than 1 suggests an association between exposure and illness.

Cohort study

Follows exposed and unexposed groups; relative risk (RR) = incidence in exposed ÷ incidence in unexposed. RR greater than 1 indicates increased risk among exposed.

Epidemic curve interpretation

Point source shows a single peak within one incubation period; propagated source shows successive peaks one incubation period apart; continuous common source shows a plateau.

Five Moments for Hand Hygiene

Before touching a patient; before clean/aseptic procedure; after body fluid exposure risk; after touching a patient; after touching patient surroundings.

Alcohol-based hand rub limits

Use soap and water instead of ABHR when hands are visibly soiled, after C. difficile or norovirus exposure, and after restroom use because alcohol does not reliably kill spores.

PPE removal order

Remove gloves first, then goggles or face shield, then gown, then mask or respirator; perform hand hygiene immediately after removal.

Respiratory hygiene

Cover coughs, dispose of tissues, perform hand hygiene, and offer masks to symptomatic patients in waiting areas to reduce droplet transmission.

MDRO control bundle

Hand hygiene, contact precautions, cohorting, dedicated equipment, antimicrobial stewardship, and surveillance cultures as indicated by facility policy and risk assessment.

Hepatitis B post-exposure

Unvaccinated or non-immune staff exposed to HBsAg-positive blood receive hepatitis B immune globulin and initiate the vaccine series; report exposure immediately.

Tuberculosis screening for staff

Baseline two-step tuberculin skin test or IGRA for new healthcare personnel; annual screening based on risk assessment; convertors require evaluation and treatment.

Bloodborne pathogen exposure steps

Wash needlestick site with soap and water, report immediately, evaluate source patient status, and initiate post-exposure prophylaxis (e.g., HIV PEP) within hours.

Sharps injury prevention

Use safety-engineered devices, avoid recapping, place sharps containers at point of use, and report all exposures immediately per facility policy.

Infection control committee

Multidisciplinary committee that oversees the infection prevention program, reviews surveillance data, approves policies, and reports to medical staff and governing body.

SBAR communication

Structured handoff: Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation. Used to communicate transmission precautions and clinical concerns clearly between staff.

Antimicrobial stewardship essentials

Program includes leadership support, preauthorization or formulary restriction, tracking of antimicrobial use and resistance, and prescriber feedback and education.

Adult learning principles

Education is most effective when relevant, interactive, and reinforced. Competency is verified by observation or return demonstration, not attendance alone.

Levels of evidence

Ranked from strongest to weakest: systematic reviews/meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, case-control studies, case series, expert opinion.

Institutional review board

Committee that reviews and approves research involving human subjects, ensuring informed consent, confidentiality, and protection from harm.

Airborne infection isolation room

Negative-pressure room with ≥12 air changes per hour, exhaust to outside or HEPA-filtered recirculation, and door kept closed; monitored by smoke test or pressure gauge.

ICRA for construction

Infection Control Risk Assessment classifies construction projects by risk and specifies barriers such as dust barriers, negative air machines, and HEPA filtration.

Spaulding classification

Critical items (enter sterile tissue) require sterilization; semicritical items (contact mucous membranes) require high-level disinfection; noncritical items (intact skin) require low-level disinfection.

Sterilization biological indicators

Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores verify steam sterilization; Bacillus atrophaeus spores verify ethylene oxide. Chemical indicators verify pack penetration, not sterility.

PDSA cycle

Plan (set aim and identify problem), Do (test small change), Study (analyze results), Act (adopt, adapt, or abandon). Core model for iterative quality improvement.