A patient with a history of poor nutrition and chronic illness is admitted to the medical unit.The nurse caring for this patient is preparing to provide the patient with a bed bath and recalls that normal body flora:

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Normal flora usually does not cause disease,but instead help to maintain health.The number and variety of flora maintain a sensitive balance with other microorganisms to prevent infection.The body's normal flora is made up of a large numbers of microorganisms residing on the surface and deep layers of the skin,in the saliva and oral mucosa,and in the intestinal walls.Any factor that disrupts this balance places a person at increased risk for infection.For example,the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics for the treatment of infection eliminates or changes normal bacterial flora,often leading to suprainfection.Microorganisms resistant to antibiotics then cause serious infection.

A Patient with a History of Poor Nutrition and Chronic