60. You turn on a television and catch the end of an interview with a young pati
ID: 181892 • Letter: 6
Question
60. You turn on a television and catch the end of an interview with a young patient who developed a life-threatening MRSA infection after a routine surgery to remove his appendix. What is the term for this type of surgical wound infection, and how common are these infections?
61. An elderly man is admitted to a hospital after he experiences a heart attack. Four days after his admission he is diagnosed with pneumonia caused by Pseudomonas. Three other patients in the same hospital at the same time also develop pneumonia caused by Pseudomonas. List at least four key questions an infectious disease epidemiologist would want answered as the source of these infections is investigated.
62. A nurse stops by a new patient’s room and observes a sign outside the door indicating that a disposable mask and gown should be worn in addition to latex gloves when caring for this patient. What are the two broad categories of patients that would require this extra step, and who is this gear designed to protect in each category?
63. Describe two ways in which technology has contributed to the emergence of pathogens and the spread of infectious diseases
Explanation / Answer
60. MRSA is the abbreviation for Meticilin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcus aureus is a bacteria usually found in the nose and skin of many healthy people. MRSA is a different strain of staphylococcus aureus which is resistant to most of the antibiotics and is usually difficult to treat. MRSA is usually harmless in healthy individuals but it becomes opportunistic as soon as it encounters a wound or a sore. It effects people who are already ill or HIV positive or has been in hospital for a considerable period of time.
The surgical wound infections are more commonly called as “Surgical-site infections”. MRSA is the leading causative agent of many surgical-site infections. Though it is rare but majorly its spread depends on the doctor, hospital room environment and on the duration of the stay in the hospital. It is said that atleast 5 % of the patients undergoing surgeries suffer from surgical-site infections every year. It can be detected within 30 days of surgery.
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