Nursing 104

N104: Essentials of Nursing Care – Health Safety Study Guide 6.6 Factors Influencing Biological Safety Many factors can influence an individual’s biological safety and risk for disease and infection. Some are lifestyle choices and others are factors over which an individual has little control. • Physical factors: Activity and nutritional factors can predispose an individual to disease and infection. The physically disabled may be incontinent or unable to maintain a healthy level of hygiene. Any immune suppressed patient will be at greater risk for biological threats. Patients with other chronic health problems (e.g., diabetes, heart disease, and neurological problems) may be at increased risk. Individuals taking certain medications may be at risk. Anti- inflammatory and anti-neoplastic drugs may interfere with the normal inflammatory response increasing the risk of infection. • Psychological factors: Stress can elevate the body’s level of cortisol, which will inhibit the body’s normal inflammatory response and decrease the person’s resistance to infection. Patients withmental health problems may not be able to recognize health issues early andmay lack the judgment necessary to protect themselves from situations that might result in infection. • Lifestyle factors: Intravenous (IV) drug users, people with multiple piercings or tattoos, smokers, and individuals with multiple sexual partners have made lifestyle choices that may increase their risk for infection and disease. The homeless may be at increased risk because of nutritional and crowded living conditions. Those individuals with higher levels of education may be more prone to getting preventative and early care to prevent infection. • Growth and development factors: During the lifespan of an individual, there are certain elements that may make the individual more or less likely to develop the infection. o Birth to two years: Prevention of infection begins with preventing infection in the mother. In utero exposure to some infections can result in catastrophic abnormalities in the infant. After birth, anyone touching the child should use good hand washing and general hygiene techniques. Unless otherwise indicated, the immunization schedule should be maintained during this age range. o Early childhood: During this stage, the child is exposed to many sources of infection due to the fact that much time is spent on the floor and everything goes into the child’s mouth. First exposure to other children in a pre-school environment also puts the child at risk. During this stage, the child will begin to learn about hygiene (using the bathroom, washing hands, etc.). o School age and adolescence: Immunizations should be complete and the immune system has begun to mature, so the incidence of infections tends to decrease during this time. However, because of the active nature of children at this age, they may also be more prone to cuts and abrasions. This age group is at higher risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and mononucleosis as sexual activity begins. o Adult: During the adult years, chronic disease becomes more prevalent, which increases the risk of infection. Any lifestyle choices that were made when younger begin to have a greater effect on the risk of infection for the adult. As the person ages, the immune system begins to slow down and infections that could have been dealt with at a younger age, may become debilitating in the older patient. • Cultural/spiritual factors: Some cultural groups have a genetic predisposition to certain diseases that may affect the immune system. Certain groups may not immunize themselves and their children due to specific religious or spiritual beliefs. The lack of immunization may

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