Hospital-acquired infection is also known as

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2022

Explanation

Nosocomial infection is the specific medical term for an infection acquired within a hospital or healthcare facility.
To be classified as nosocomial, the infection must not have been present or incubating at the time of the patient's admission.
Symptoms of a nosocomial infection typically manifest 48 hours or more after admission.
This term distinguishes infections acquired in the healthcare environment from community-acquired infections.

Option A: Cross infection describes the transmission of infection between individuals (patient-to-patient or staff-to-patient) within the hospital. It is a mechanism of spread, not the general term for any hospital-acquired infection.
Option B: Direct infection refers to a mode of transmission (e.g., direct physical contact) and is not defined by the location where the infection is acquired.
Option C: Indirect infection refers to a mode of transmission via a contaminated object (fomite) and is not defined by the location where the infection is acquired.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Terminology for Hospital-Acquired Infections helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Preventing nosocomial infections is a primary patient-safety goal and a key indicator of the quality of nursing care.
Nurses are at the forefront of prevention through meticulous hand hygiene, adherence to aseptic techniques for procedures like catheterization and IV insertion, and patient education.
A high rate of nosocomial infections leads to increased patient morbidity and mortality, prolonged hospital stays, and significant financial costs to the healthcare system.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key phrase in the question: 'Hospital-acquired infection'.
This is a factual recall question that asks for a synonym.
Analyze the options to see which term specifically means 'originating in a hospital'.
Differentiate the correct term from options that describe modes of transmission (direct, indirect) or a subset of the main category (cross infection).
Recall that 'nosocomial' is the precise medical term for infections acquired in a healthcare setting.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 167-169

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart C (pp 404-604 of 604) p. 25-27

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