Nursing Essentials: Infection Control, Mobility, Diabetes Care

Posted on Jul 6, 2025 in Medicine & Health

Infection Control and Prevention

Normal Flora Location and Function

  • Location: Skin, mouth, intestines, respiratory tract, and genital tract.
  • Function: Helps prevent overgrowth of harmful microorganisms.

Patient Education on Antibiotics

  • Complete the full course to prevent antibiotic resistance.
  • Do not use antibiotics for viral infections (e.g., colds, influenza).
  • Take with or without food based on prescription instructions.
  • Report any allergic reactions (e.g., rash, itching, swelling).

Body’s Chemical Barriers

  • Skin secretions (sebum, sweat, tears, mucus) contain antimicrobial properties.
  • Stomach acid kills pathogens.
  • Enzymes in saliva and tears break down bacteria.

The Chain of Infection

  • Infectious Agent: Pathogen (bacteria, virus, fungi).
  • Reservoir: Where it lives (humans, animals, soil).
  • Portal of Exit: How it leaves the reservoir (coughing, sneezing, blood).
  • Mode of Transmission: Direct contact, airborne, droplets.
  • Portal of Entry: How it enters a new host (mucous membranes, wounds).
  • Susceptible Host: Individuals with weakened immunity.

Fungal Infections: Types and Symptoms

Common Types:

  • Tinea pedis (athlete’s foot)
  • Candidiasis (oral thrush, vaginal yeast infections)
  • Ringworm (Tinea corporis)

Signs and Symptoms:

  • Itching
  • Redness
  • Peeling skin
  • White patches (e.g., oral thrush)

Reducing Infection Spread

  • Hand hygiene: The best and most common method.
  • Use personal protective equipment (PPE) properly.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces regularly.
  • Follow isolation precautions as required.

Modes of Infection Transmission

  • Airborne: Tuberculosis (TB), measles, chickenpox.
  • Contact: MRSA, Clostridioides difficile (C. diff), scabies.
  • Droplet: Influenza (flu), COVID-19, pertussis (whooping cough).
  • Bloodborne: HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C.
  • Sexually Transmitted: Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Sequence

  • Donning (Putting On): Gown → Mask → Goggles/Face Shield → Gloves.
  • Doffing (Taking Off): Gloves → Goggles/Face Shield → Gown → Mask.

Healthcare-Acquired Infections (HAIs)

Infections acquired in healthcare settings, such as hospitals. Examples include pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and MRSA.

Preventing Healthcare-Acquired Infections

  • Hand hygiene
  • Aseptic technique
  • Proper catheter care

Phagocytosis Explained

A process where white blood cells (WBCs) engulf and destroy pathogens.

Medical vs. Surgical Asepsis

  • Medical Asepsis: Practices aimed at reducing the number of pathogens (e.g., handwashing, using clean gloves).
  • Surgical Asepsis: Sterile techniques used to prevent contamination during invasive procedures (e.g., surgical procedures).

Patient Room Assignment Scenarios

  • Patients with airborne infections require private rooms.
  • Patients with the same infection type (e.g., two C. diff patients) can be cohorted.

Understanding Tinea Pedis (Athlete’s Foot)

Also known as athlete’s foot, it is a fungal infection causing itching, scaling, and cracking of the feet.

Chronic Illness and Rehabilitation

Key Definitions in Rehabilitation

  • Disability: A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
  • Impairment: A loss of function in a body part or system.
  • Handicap: An obstacle or disadvantage that prevents normal activity, often resulting from an impairment or disability.

Monitoring Caregivers in Home Health

Monitoring caregivers in home health settings helps prevent caregiver burnout, stress, and potential neglect.

Purpose of Rehabilitation

The primary purpose of rehabilitation is to restore function and independence after an illness or injury.

Nurses’ Role in Rehabilitation

Nurses assist patients with mobility, activities of daily living (ADLs), and provide essential emotional support during rehabilitation.

Patients at Increased Fall Risk

  • Elderly individuals
  • Stroke patients
  • Patients with Parkinson’s disease
  • Weak post-surgery patients

Diseases Affecting Elderly Mobility

  • Osteoarthritis
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Stroke
  • Osteoporosis

Risks Associated with Immobility

  • Deep vein thrombosis (DVTs)
  • Pressure ulcers
  • Pneumonia
  • Muscle atrophy

LPN Scope of Practice in Home Health

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in home health typically monitor vital signs, manage medications, and provide wound care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN).

Diabetes Mellitus and Blood Sugar Management

Types of Diabetes Mellitus

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (DM1)

  • An autoimmune disorder resulting in no insulin production.
  • Symptoms: Polyuria (frequent urination), polydipsia (increased thirst), polyphagia (increased hunger), weight loss, fatigue.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM2)

  • Characterized by insulin resistance and decreased insulin production.
  • Symptoms: Frequent infections, slow-healing wounds, fatigue.

Gestational Diabetes

  • Diabetes that develops during pregnancy.
  • Typically resolves postpartum but increases the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes later in life.

Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar)

  • Definition: Blood sugar level below 70 mg/dL.
  • Signs: Sweating, shakiness, confusion, hunger.
  • Treatment: Consume 15 grams of carbohydrates (e.g., juice, glucose tablets), then recheck blood sugar in 15 minutes.

Hyperglycemia (High Blood Sugar)

  • Definition: Blood sugar level above 180 mg/dL.
  • Signs: Increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue.
  • Treatment: Insulin, fluids.

Steroids and Glucose Levels

Steroids, such as prednisone, can increase blood sugar levels. Monitor diabetic patients closely when they are on steroid therapy.

Ketones and Their Indication

Ketones are produced from fat breakdown due to a lack of insulin, indicating a potential sign of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA).

Managing a Sick Diabetic Patient

  • Do not skip insulin doses.
  • Monitor glucose levels more frequently.
  • Stay hydrated and test for ketones.

Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c)

  • Measures the average blood sugar level over the past 3 months.
  • Normal Range: Less than 5.7%.
  • Diabetic Goal: Less than 7%.

Understanding Ketosis

Ketosis is the process of fat breakdown that produces ketones, commonly seen in Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA).

Exercise and Type 2 Diabetes

Regular exercise helps lower blood sugar and increases insulin sensitivity in individuals with Type 2 Diabetes.

Diabetic Diet Education

  • Eat meals at regular times to prevent significant blood sugar spikes or drops.
  • Goal: Control blood sugar levels and prevent long-term complications.

Glucose Monitoring Guidelines

  • Check blood glucose levels four times a day if on insulin.
  • Normal Fasting Glucose: 70-100 mg/dL.

Common Insulin Types

  • Long-acting: Lantus, Levemir.
  • Rapid-acting: Humalog, Novolog.

Insulin Administration and Education

  • Rotate injection sites to prevent lipodystrophy.
  • Do not massage the injection site after administration.

Chronic Complications of Diabetes

  • Neuropathy (nerve damage)
  • Retinopathy (eye damage)
  • Nephropathy (kidney damage)
  • Heart disease

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

  • Signs: Fruity breath odor, Kussmaul breathing (deep, rapid breathing), confusion.

Key Diabetes Terminology

  • Polydipsia: Excessive thirst.
  • Polyphagia: Excessive hunger.
  • Polyuria: Excessive urination.