Infectious Agents
Name one microorganism that can cause illness.
Bacteria, virus, fungi, protozoa, rickettsiae, or helminths
What is the #1 way to prevent infection?
Hand hygiene
How long should you wash your hands?
20 seconds
Which level destroys most pathogens but not spores?
Disinfection
True/False: Infection can spread without all 6 links of the chain.
False
Which type of microorganism causes athlete’s foot?
Fungus
earing gloves and masks helps break which part of the chain?
Portal of exit/entry
What percentage of alcohol should sanitizer contain?
At least 60%
What is the lowest level of cleaning?
Sanitization
Which chain link is involved when a person sneezes into the air?
Portal of exit & mode of transmission
What is the name for worms that live inside the human body?
Helminths
Vaccines help protect which link in the chain?
Susceptible host
When should you wash instead of using sanitizer?
When hands are visibly dirty or after contact with body fluids
Which cleaning method uses an autoclave?
Sterilization
What does PPE stand for?
Personal Protective Equipment
Give an example of a protozoan disease.
Malaria
Give one example of how to kill the infectious agent.
Antibiotics, disinfectants, sterilization
Name two situations when healthcare workers must perform hand hygiene.
Before/after patient contact, after touching contaminated surfaces, before procedures, etc.
Bedrails in a hospital room should undergo which level of cleaning?
Disinfection
Which organization sets standards for workplace safety in healthcare?
OSHA
What is the smallest infectious agent?
Virus
Which chain link is broken by isolating patients?
Reservoir
Which part of the hand is most often missed when washing?
Fingertips/thumbs
Surgical tools must undergo which level of cleaning?
Sterilization
Explain how one link in the chain could be broken in your own daily life.
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