Nursing study guide
Infection + inflammation
Separate the invading organism from the body response, then recognize when either becomes dangerous.
Infection
A microorganism enters and multiplies in the host; colonization can occur without tissue invasion or symptoms.
Inflammation
A protective vascular and cellular response to infection or noninfectious injury.
Priority
Assess the patient and trend—not one temperature, white count, culture, or inflammatory marker alone.
Foundations
Follow the chain of infection
Breaking any link can reduce transmission.
Agent
Bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and other pathogens differ in structure and treatment.
Reservoir + exit
People, animals, environment, or equipment may harbor organisms that leave through respiratory, blood, GI, GU, skin, or other routes.
Transmission
Contact, droplet, airborne, vehicle, or vector routes determine prevention measures.
Entry + host
Broken barriers, invasive devices, exposure route, immunity, age, disease, and medications shape risk.
Inflammation
Local inflammation is a coordinated response
The classic findings reflect vascular change and immune-cell activity.
| Finding | Mechanism | Assessment connection |
|---|---|---|
| Redness + warmth | Vasodilation and increased local blood flow | Compare sides and define borders when appropriate. |
| Swelling | Increased vascular permeability moves fluid into tissue | Assess function, circulation, skin integrity, and progression. |
| Pain | Chemical mediators and tissue pressure stimulate nerves | Use a consistent pain tool and reassess after intervention. |
| Reduced function | Pain, edema, and tissue injury limit movement or organ performance | Connect local findings with the patient’s overall condition. |
Assessment
Local and systemic patterns answer different questions
A local infection can progress; systemic inflammation can also be noninfectious.
Local clues
Drainage, erythema, warmth, tenderness, swelling, odor, cough, dysuria, or focal pain depend on the site.
Systemic clues
Fever or hypothermia, chills, malaise, tachycardia, tachypnea, confusion, reduced intake, or functional decline.
Atypical presentation
Older adults, neonates, and immunocompromised patients may have muted fever or inflammatory findings.
Trend
Compare baseline, onset, exposures, devices, wounds, recent procedures, antimicrobials, and response.
Diagnostics
Collect useful evidence without treating a test in isolation
Specimen quality and timing affect interpretation.
Cultures
Collect the correct specimen using aseptic technique and before antimicrobials when ordered and safe—without delaying emergency treatment.
CBC + differential
White-cell patterns may support the picture but can shift with stress, steroids, marrow function, age, and immune status.
Inflammatory markers
CRP, ESR, procalcitonin, and lactate have specific limitations; trend them only in the intended clinical context.
Imaging + source
Imaging or procedures may locate pneumonia, abscess, obstruction, device infection, or another source.
Prevention
Use standard precautions for every patient
Add transmission-based precautions for the suspected or confirmed route.
Hands
Perform hand hygiene at the indicated moments and use soap and water when required by organism or exposure.
PPE
Choose gloves, gown, mask, respirator, and eye protection from the anticipated exposure and isolation plan.
Devices
Use aseptic access, daily necessity review, securement, site assessment, and timely removal.
Environment
Clean shared equipment, manage linen and sharps safely, and follow respiratory hygiene and room-placement policy.
Transmission precautions
Contact, droplet, and airborne precautions add route-specific protection
Transmission-based precautions are used in addition to Standard Precautions and follow the suspected or confirmed organism, syndrome, and facility policy.
| Category | Common study examples | Core nursing actions |
|---|---|---|
| Contact | C. difficile, norovirus, draining wounds, selected multidrug-resistant organisms, RSV in many pediatric settings | Gown and gloves on room entry when indicated; dedicate equipment; clean the environment; use soap and water when required. |
| Droplet | Influenza, pertussis, meningococcal disease, mumps, rubella | Wear the indicated mask on entry; use source control and room placement; mask the patient for essential transport when tolerated. |
| Airborne | Tuberculosis, measles, varicella | Use an airborne infection isolation room and fit-tested respirator as required; keep the door closed; limit transport. |
| Combined | Some syndromes and organisms require more than one category | Follow the current pathogen-specific plan rather than guessing from one symptom. |
Treatment safety
Connect therapy to organism, site, and patient
Antimicrobial stewardship protects the current patient and future patients.
Before
Verify allergies and reactions, cultures, renal and hepatic function, pregnancy considerations, interactions, route, and infection site.
During
Give on schedule, monitor infusion or allergic reactions, assess organ function, and follow level plans when applicable.
After
Trend symptoms and objective findings; review culture and susceptibility results for narrowing or changing therapy.
Teach
Explain adherence, adverse effects, infection-prevention steps, and when worsening symptoms require urgent care.
Escalation
Recognize sepsis as a time-sensitive emergency
Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to infection and can rapidly cause organ failure.
Notice change
New confusion, clammy skin, extreme pain, fever or feeling very cold, rapid breathing, dyspnea, tachycardia, or weak perfusion can be warning signs.
Act
Escalate immediately, obtain ordered studies, support ABCs, and follow the facility sepsis pathway.
Reassess
Trend mentation, breathing, circulation, urine output, skin, pain, vital signs, laboratory results, and response.
Sources
Reference notes
Use current local infection-control and sepsis policies at the bedside.