Chapter 15: Infection Prevention & Management

The content explores various pathogenic organisms including bacteria classified by morphological characteristics, viruses requiring host cell replication, fungi causing opportunistic infections, protozoan parasites, and prions responsible for neurodegenerative diseases. Significant attention is devoted to emerging and reemerging infectious diseases, examining how factors such as zoonotic transmission, antimicrobial resistance patterns, and vaccination hesitancy contribute to disease spread, with detailed analysis of COVID-19 pathophysiology including ACE2 receptor binding, viral variants, clinical manifestations ranging from asymptomatic to critical illness, and therapeutic interventions including antivirals, monoclonal antibodies, and vaccination strategies. The chapter thoroughly addresses antimicrobial resistance mechanisms exemplified by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant enterococci, and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, while emphasizing prevention strategies for healthcare-associated infections through evidence-based bundles, proper hand hygiene, personal protective equipment use, and aseptic technique implementation. Comprehensive coverage of HIV infection encompasses retroviral pathophysiology, CD4 T-cell destruction mechanisms, disease progression from acute infection through AIDS development, diagnostic approaches including viral load and CD4 monitoring, and antiretroviral therapy principles utilizing combination drug regimens from multiple therapeutic classes. Nursing management strategies integrate risk assessment, infection control measures, medication adherence support, symptom management, opportunistic infection prevention, and psychosocial care addressing stigma and discrimination while emphasizing the critical role of standard and transmission-based precautions in clinical practice.