9.1 Infection Introduction
Open Resources for Nursing (Open RN)
Learning Objectives
- Describe risk factors for infection
- Identify cues related to infection across the life span
- Identify practices that reduce the risk of infection transmission
- Identify basic diagnostic tests related to infection
- Differentiate factors related to infection among diverse clients
- Identify industry standards for transmission-based procedures
- Contribute to a plan of care for clients with an infection
Have you ever wondered how nurses can be exposed to clients with communicable diseases day after day and not become ill? There are many factors that affect the body’s ability to defend against infection and place some individuals at greater risk of developing an infection. When an infection does occur, early recognition is important to prevent it from spreading within the individual, as well as to others. Protecting people from developing an infection, as well as preventing the spread of infection, is a major concern for nurses. This chapter will discuss the physiology of the inflammation and infectious processes and nursing interventions to prevent the spread of infection.