The hospital infectious disease team is involved with the study of a healthcare-associated infection that has spread to 10% of inpatients. The infected patients are exhibiting symptoms of severe abdominal cramping, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. The RN on the infectious disease team provides education to staff regarding the pattern of bacterial growth and methods of infection control.
-During which stages of bacterial growth is an infected patient most at risk of spreading the organism to others?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

During the exponential growth phase, the number of bacteria rapidly multiplies, increasing the risk of spread to others. In the stationary growth phase, growth slows down, and bacteria are less likely to spread. In the lag phase, bacteria are adapting to their environment and not actively multiplying, while in the death phase, the number of bacteria decreases as they die off. Therefore, the only stages in which an infected patient is at risk of spreading the organism to others are the exponential growth phase and the stationary growth phase.

The Hospital Infectious Disease Team Is Involved with the Study