Please note: This is the pharmacology version of the course: Infection Control: Prevention and Management of Harmful Pathogens in Healthcare Settings N450C. Click here to take the general version (no pharmacology CEs).

Course Summary

Expiration Date: 10/14/2029

This course provides an overview of infection prevention and management in healthcare settings, with emphasis on protecting healthcare workers and patients from infectious pathogens. Content addresses Standard and Transmission-Based Precautions, personal protective equipment, sharps safety, occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens, and current post-exposure management of HBV, HCV, and HIV. The course also reviews prevention of infections associated with invasive devices, including catheter-associated urinary tract infections, antimicrobial stewardship, and patient considerations related to isolation precautions. Evidence-based approaches to the recognition and management of sepsis and septic shock are discussed, including antimicrobial therapy, hemodynamic support, and supportive care for critically ill patients.

Course Format

Homestudy

Course Syllabus

  • I. Introduction
  • II. Acquired Infectious Diseases in Healthcare
  • III. OSHA: Occupational Exposure and Infection Risk
    • 1. HIV and Risk of Infection
    • 2. HBV and HCV Risk of Infection
    • 3. Needlestick Injuries and Other Exposures
    • 4. OSHA Blood-Borne Pathogens Standard
    • 5. OSHA Definitions
  • IV. Employer and Employee Compliance with Standard Prevention
  • V. Correct Use of Personal Protective Equipment
  • VI. Managing Exposures to Bloodborne Pathogens
    • 1. Management and Reporting of an Initial Exposure
    • 2. Hepatitis B Post-Exposure
    • 3. Hepatitis C Post-Exposure
    • 4. HIV Post-Exposure and Recommended Therapy
  • VII. Arterial/Venous Catheterization in the Intensive Care Unit
    • 1. Pulmonary Artery Catheterization
    • 2. Prevention of Intravascular Catheter-Related Infection
    • 3. Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection Prevention
    • 4. Management of Sepsis
    • 5. Antimicrobial Stewardship
    • 6. Glucose Control
    • 7. Renal Replacement and Bicarbonate Therapy
    • 8. Deep Vein Thrombosis Prophylaxis
    • 9. Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis
  • VIII. Infection Prevention and Patients’ Experiences
  • IX. Case Study: Health Employee Exposure
    • 1. Discussion
    • 2. Engagement Questions
  • X. Summary

Authors

Sarah Schulze, MSN, APRN, CPNP

Sarah Schulze is a board certified pediatric nurse practitioner and professional medical content writer. She earned her BSN from Indiana State University and her MSN from University of Illinois at Chicago. In clinical practice as an RN and NP, she has experience in a variety of settings; including critical care, PACU, pediatrics, mental health, and lactation support. She currently owns and operates a private practice providing outpatient mental health services to children and adolescents. As a writer, she has developed content for many CEU courses, medical apps, health education curricula, NCLEX study materials, health blogs, and more.

Dana Bartlett, RN, BSN, MSN, MA, CSPI

Dana Bartlett is a professional nurse and author. His clinical experience includes 16 years of ICU and ER experience and over 27 years as a poison control center information specialist. Dana has published numerous CE and journal articles, written NCLEX material, textbook chapters, and more than 100 online CE articles, and done editing and reviewing for publishers such as Elsevier, Lippincott, and Thieme. He has written widely on the subject of toxicology and was a contributing editor, toxicology section, for Critical Care Nurse journal. He is currently employed at the Connecticut Poison Control Center. He lives in Wappingers Falls, NY.