Preventing Infection and Control in Nursing

Running head: Nursing 1
Nursing
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Nursing 2
Question 1
a). Standard precautions are work practices that offer an initial approach to the prevention of
infection and control and are utilized for the care and treatment of all patients. The two principles
that are relevant to Smith’s case include detection and recognizing acute deterioration, and
escalating care, and responding to acute deterioration (ACSQHC, 2017). This is because Smith
has active tuberculosis which is a serious infectious disease that needs to be detected earlier and
treated to avoid further deterioration.
b) Tuberculosis is transmitted from an infected individual to a susceptible one through airborne
particles, referred to as droplet nuclei. The infectious droplet nuclei are minute droplets
containing tuberculosis bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that are released once an
individual infected with tuberculosis cough, laugh, sneeze or shouts. These minute droplet nuclei
remain suspended in the air for several hours. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is only transmitted
via air and not through contact. This implies that the infection can only spread when breathed in
and not through touch (Getahun, Matteelli, Chaisson, & Raviglione, 2015).
c) Droplet precautions. These include the implementation of droplet precautions for patients
suspected or confirmed to be infected by respiratory droplets produced through coughing,
sneezing or talking such as is the case of Smith.
airborne precautions in addition to standard precautions are implemented for patients who have
been diagnosed with an infectious agent that is spread through the airborne mode. The healthcare
providers should also put on personal protective equipment when entering the patient-care area
once the infectious agent has been confirmed. Airborne precaution is applicable because Smith
has been diagnosed with active tuberculosis and admitted to the medical ward.

Nursing 3
Question 2
Both standards outline precautions that act as a guide to the staff in case of the presence of
infectious agents, and this is likely to lead to decreased transmission. Infections are linked with
the provision of healthcare services and have a significant impact on patients. For instance,
Airborne and droplet precautions will ensure that there will be no transmission of the
tuberculosis bacteria between persons through the airborne route (ACSQHC, 2012). In other
words, Smith would not be able to infect other patients or healthcare workers in the hospital.
Moreover, airborne precautions require that individuals entering the secluded room of the patient
to put on personal protective equipment so as to prevent airborne transmission. Smith has been
admitted to a medical ward with an excluded room and the visiting nurses or other individuals
should be well dressed to avoid transmission. this is because of coughing, talking or sneezing
leaves the infectious droplets in the air thus increasing the risk of spread. healthcare-associated
infections are the leading complications experienced by patients in Australia. These symptoms
are observed in Smith’s case who has active tuberculosis. The infection control standards also
help Smith to quickly recover from the disease by preventing any other similar infection from
other people.
Question 3
The Comprehensive Care Standard functions to ensure that patients receive comprehensive care
that is synchronized and meets the patient’s goals and healthcare needs, and that minimizes
patient harm. The standard achieves comprehensive care by ensuring that patients are provided
with continuous and collaborative care, they provide healthcare services based on the preferences
of the patient, family and carers. Additionally, the comprehensive care standard minimizes