When the patient is acquiring infection from another patient it is known as?

Appeared in: OSSSC Nursing Officer-2023

Explanation

Cross infection is defined as the transfer of harmful microorganisms, usually bacteria and viruses, from one person to another.
The question specifies the source of the infection as 'another patient', which is the exact definition of cross-infection.
This transmission can occur through direct contact (e.g., hands of healthcare workers), or indirect contact via contaminated equipment or airborne particles.

Option B: Iatrogenic infection is incorrect because it results from a medical intervention or treatment, not from another patient.
Option C: Opportunistic infection is incorrect because it relates to the patient's compromised immune status, not the source of the infection.
Option D: Nosocomial infection is a broader term for any infection acquired in a hospital. While cross-infection is a type of nosocomial infection, 'cross-infection' is more specific and therefore the better answer.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Types of healthcare-associated infections to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
Preventing cross-infection is a fundamental responsibility of a nurse and a key indicator of patient safety and quality of care.
Key nursing actions include strict hand hygiene, using personal protective equipment (PPE), isolating infectious patients, and ensuring proper disinfection of shared medical equipment.
What if? If a patient acquires an infection from contaminated hospital bed linens, it is still considered a nosocomial infection, but the specific source is the environment (fomite), not directly another patient (cross-infection).

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the question to identify the key phrase: 'acquiring infection from another patient'.
This is a definition-based question. Your goal is to match the specific scenario to the most precise term.
Evaluate each option's definition. 'Cross infection' specifically means patient-to-patient transmission.
Recognize that 'Nosocomial infection' is a general term for any hospital-acquired infection, making it less specific than 'Cross infection'.
Differentiate from 'Iatrogenic' (caused by a procedure) and 'Opportunistic' (related to weak immunity).
Select the most specific and accurate term that fits the scenario described in the question.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart C (pp 404-604 of 604) p. 26-28

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 167-169

Practise the full OSSSC Nursing Officer-2023

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.