What are the principle elements required for an infection to occur?

Prepare for the AORN Perioperative Training Exam with comprehensive questions and detailed explanations. Enhance your understanding and readiness with carefully crafted quizzes and insights.

The principle elements required for an infection to occur include a source, a method of transmission, and a susceptible host.

The source refers to any reservoir that can harbor the infectious agent, such as humans, animals, or inanimate objects (fomites). The method of transmission involves how the infectious agent is transferred from the source to the susceptible host, which could occur through direct contact, airborne pathways, or contaminated surfaces. Finally, a susceptible host is an individual who lacks adequate immunity to fight off the infection, making them vulnerable to the disease.

Understanding these three interconnected elements is crucial in the fields of infection control and prevention. Effective measures like sterilization, proper hygiene, and vaccinations focus on breaking at least one of these links to prevent infections from occurring.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy