In this episode, we explore Chapter 11 of Infection Control, diving into the essential concepts that nurses need to understand to prevent and manage infections in healthcare settings. We cover the types of pathogens that cause infections—bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, and parasites—and how nurses can break the chain of infection through medical and surgical asepsis and standard precautions.

We also examine the body’s immune defenses, from nonspecific innate immunity to specific adaptive immunity, and outline the stages of an infection, including incubation, prodromal, illness, decline, and convalescence. Key topics such as healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), the immune response, multidrug-resistant infections, and infection control practices for common pathogens are discussed in detail.

This episode is essential for nursing students preparing to understand infection prevention and control and provides actionable strategies for protecting both patients and healthcare providers from infection risks. Tune in for a comprehensive guide to mastering infection control!

All information in this podcast is sourced from ATI and the 2023 edition of Fundamentals of Nursing by Taylor.