Wound Care Part 9: Infection & Disease Control for Nursing Students

Jason T

Feb 133 min read

Updated: Feb 18

As a nursing student preparing for your Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider CPR course, understanding infection and disease control is crucial. In healthcare, preventing infections can mean the difference between life and death. This guide will help you recognize common infections, transmission methods, and best practices to keep yourself and patients safe.

What Is an Infection?

An infection occurs when the body is invaded by harmful germs, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. These pathogens can enter the body through open wounds, inhalation, or direct contact. In a First Aid & CPR course, students are taught to treat all patients as potentially infectious and to take necessary precautions.

As part of your BLS training, infection control is emphasized to protect both the patient and the rescuer. That’s why Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and proper hygiene are essential in any medical setting.

Common Causes of Infection in Wounds

Foreign bodies such as dirt, debris, or bacteria entering an open wound
Compromised immunity making the body more susceptible to infections
Poor wound care leading to bacterial growth and spread

Routes of Disease Transmission

Nursing students must understand how infections spread to effectively prevent them. Common modes of transmission include:

Direct Contact – Touching infected blood or bodily fluids during patient care
Indirect Contact – Handling contaminated surfaces or medical equipment
Airborne Transmission – Inhaling germs from sneezing or coughing patients
Vector-Borne – Infections spread by mosquitoes, ticks, or animals (e.g., Zika, West Nile Virus)

Best Practices for Infection Prevention in Nursing & First Aid

To reduce the risk of infection, nursing students and first responders should follow these guidelines:

✅ Wear PPE (gloves, masks, eye protection) when treating patients

✅ Wash hands before and after patient contact (minimum 20 seconds with soap)

✅ Use sterile dressings for wound care

✅ Keep immunizations up to date (e.g., Tetanus booster every 5 years)

✅ Avoid direct contact with bodily fluids whenever possible

✅ Apply antibiotic ointment to reduce infection risk

✅ Let wounds breathe and change bandages regularly

⚠️ Hand sanitizer is NOT a substitute for hand washing. After every third use, wash your hands with soap and water.

Signs of an Infected Wound

Recognizing an infection early can prevent serious complications. Look for:

Redness around the wound
Red streaks moving away from the wound
Pus or unusual drainage
Heat or warmth at the infection site
Swelling, tenderness, or pain
Fever or nausea
Discolored flesh or foul odor

How Nursing Students Can Respond to Infections

When treating a wound, follow these infection control steps:

1️⃣ Assess the Scene & Wear Gloves – Always ensure the area is safe before approaching the patient. PPE is critical to avoid direct contact with infectious materials.

2️⃣ Call for Medical Assistance – Dial 911 if the infection is severe (e.g., meningitis, sepsis, whooping cough) or if the patient has a high fever above 102°F (39°C). In Alberta, you can also call 811 for medical advice from a registered nurse.

3️⃣ Care for the Wound Properly –

🔹 Clean the wound using sterile water or antiseptic solutions

🔹 Monitor the infection for worsening symptoms (red streaks, foul odor, pus)

🔹 Seek further medical attention if symptoms persist

Fever & Infection in Infants and Young Children

⚠️ Infants & toddlers with a fever over 102°F (39°C) are at risk of febrile seizures. If a child presents with a high fever:

1️⃣ Give doctor-recommended fever-reducing medication

2️⃣ Use room-temperature sponge baths (never ice-cold water)

3️⃣ Monitor the child continuously as febrile seizures can occur during sleep

Since these methods only temporarily reduce fever, seek medical attention if symptoms persist.

Final Thoughts: Be Prepared, Stay Safe

Whether you're training for Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR or First Aid & AED certification, infection control is a critical skill for all nursing students. Proper hand hygiene, PPE use, and early infection detection can save lives.

💡 Want to learn more? Enroll in a BLS Provider CPR course at Saving Grace Medical Academy today!

This material is for informational purposes only, derived from resources provided by The Canadian Red Cross, Alberta Heart & Stroke Foundation, and Alberta Health Services. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, training, or treatment. Consult your local physician or safety training facility for further guidance.