Reading Skills for Healthcare Workers

Vinces Infection

Michael is a new nursing assistant in a hospital. He is learning how to prevent the spread of infections. Infections can be spread from person to person through small living organisms called microbes. Microbes live in and around our bodies and can be bacteria, viruses, fungi, or molds. Microbes can be harmful or harmless to us. Infections are caused by harmful microbes, or pathogens, being spread among people. There are many types of infections, including colds and the flu. More serious types of infections are staph infections, C-diff, and VRE.

Michael meets his patient Vince this morning. Vince tells Michael that he isn’t feeling very well. Michael washes his hands well before checking on Vince. He scrubs between his fingers and around his fingernails with soap and warm water. Checking Vince for signs of infection, Michael finds that Vince has a stuffy nose, a high body temperature, and a cough. Vince tells Michael that he has some body aches, and he isn’t hungry.

Michael thinks that Vince might have a cold or maybe the flu. Michael checks Vince’s patient chart to see if Vince has received all of his vaccinations and advises Vince to drink extra water today to help the infection pass through his body. Michael records Vince’s symptoms in his chart. He will tell his supervising nurse about Vince’s symptoms and see if there are any tests she would like to run on Vince.

Before Michael leaves Vince’s room, he wipes off Vince’s bathroom sink with a cloth and some cleaner. He also wipes off Vince’s table by his bed. He wants Vince’s living area to be clean and free of bacteria. Michael tells Vince that he hopes he feels better, and he will check on him again soon.