Unit 4 Objectives: Infection Control
1. Define "healthcare associated infections" (previously known as “nosocomial infection”
or "hospital acquired infections).
2. List 3 types of patients or personnel that may be monitored in an infection control
program.
3. Describe how the chain of infection occurs including: pathogen, reservoir, portal of exit,
mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host.
4. Describe the methods utilized to break the chain of infection.
5. Describe the requirements mandated by the OSHA Needlestick Safety and Prevention
Act.
6. State the information which must be included on the injury log after a needlestick.
7. State the two types of patients who are candidates for isolation procedures.
8. Compare and contrast”Universal Precautions”, “Body Substance Isolation”, and
“Standard Precautions”.
9. List the federal organizations which provide regulations regarding safety practices.
10. Describe the three categories of Transmission Based Precautions: airborne, droplet and
contact.
11. Describe the focus of Standard Precautions.
12. List the 4 applications of Standard Precautions.
13. State the one fluid not included in these precautions.
14. List 5 procedures which must be followed to comply with Standard Precautions.
15. State the precautions to be utilized for patients with tuberculosis and patients requiring
reverse or protective isolation.
16. Describe the OHSA Bloodborne Pathogen standard and list 5 measures which must be
provided by employers to protect workers from exposure to biological hazards.
17. Describe in detail the procedure to follow after exposure to blood or body fluids,
including the time frame in which these must be done.
18. State the infection control protocols for hospital outbreaks, in the nursery unit, burn
unit, intensive care unit, postoperative unit and dialysis unit.
19. Describe the protocols in place in the clinical laboratory to prevent acquisition of
infections.
20. Describe the correct method for entering and exiting a patients’ room under
Transmission Based Precautions.
21. List the four steps of the double bagging procedure.
22. State two factors which affect occurrence of an infection after exposure to a
biohazardous substance.
23. State the three possible routes of infection which may occur from collected specimens
and how this occurs.
24. Describe the role of the phlebotomist in preventing the spread of infection in the
workplace and during blood collection.
25. Define “disinfectant” and “antiseptic” and state their use.