English for Nurses
Listen to the audio of these terms
anti-microbial
bacteria
bug
face mask
germ
gloves
goggles
hand wash
hand gel
hand hygiene
hand washing
isolation
micro-organisms
plastic apron
PPE
Personal Protective Equipment
spread of disease
virus, viruses
Lesson 6: Infection Control
PPE is an acronym which stands for Personal Protective Equipment
Activity 1: Label the pictures below.
hand gel gloves face mask
plastic apron hand washing goggles
Listen to the audio of the following text. Read the text as you listen. Then answer the questions that follow.
Infection Control
Infection Control is very important for patient care. Infection Control includes some simple ways which prevent the spread of micro-organisms and disease. Micro-organisms are ‘bugs’ or germs like bacteria and viruses and can only be seen under a microscope.
One of the ways to stop germs from spreading from one patient to another is by using good hand hygiene. Hand hygiene includes hand washing with soap and water and hand cleansing using antimicrobial hand wash or hand gel. You should clean your hands before and after you do anything with your patients.
Nurses also use PPE or personal protective equipment if they need extra protection from micro-organisms. PPE includes putting on a disposable, plastic apron to cover your uniform, putting on a disposable face mask to avoid breathing in micro-organisms and using disposable gloves. Sometimes nurses wear goggles to stop micro-organisms getting into their eyes.
Activity 2: Answer the questions relating to the text above.
1. Infection Control prevents micro-organisms _______________.
a from spreading
b growing
c being seen under a microscope
2. The prefix ‘micro’ e.g. in microscope means _______________.
a very large
b massive
c very small
3. Hand hygiene means to ____________________.
a use disposable gloves
b keep your hands clean
c wash your patient’s hands
4. PPE is the term for equipment which _____________ nurses from germs.
a takes
b covers
c protects
Activity 3: Complete the text about Infection Control. When you have finished, listen to the audio again to check your answers.
hygiene clean protection cover patient spread
Infection Control is very important for (1) __________ care. Infection Control includes some simple ways which prevent the (2) _____________of micro-organisms and disease. Micro-organisms are ‘bugs’ or germs like bacteria and viruses and can only be seen under a microscope.
One of the ways to stop germs from spreading from one patient to another is by using good hand (3) _____________. Hand hygiene includes hand washing with soap and water and hand cleansing using antimicrobial hand wash or hand gel. You should (4) ___________ your hands before and after you do anything with your patients.
Nurses also use PPE or personal protective equipment if they need extra (5)_____________ from micro-organisms. PPE includes putting on a disposable, plastic apron to (6) _________ your uniform, putting on a disposable face mask to avoid breathing in micro-organisms and using disposable gloves. Sometimes nurses wear goggles to stop micro-organisms getting into their eyes.
Activity 4: Watch the video on You Tube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ah2Wj7dtP24.
Put the notes into their correct order.
1. clean hands with hand gel
2. put on disposable mask
3. patient in isolation room
4. put on plastic apron
5. stop infection spreading
Activity 5: Match the beginnings and endings of the sentences.
Activity 6: Homework: Complete the dialogue and record it.
Nurse: Your father has a _____________ infection. He’s in an isolation room at the moment.
Relative: Oh? Why is he there?
Nurse: We are trying to stop the ____________ spreading to the other patients. Or, to his visitors.
Relative: It sounds bad. Is it dangerous?
Nurse: No, it’s not dangerous but we have to be careful. I’ll just explain what you have to do before you go into the ____________ room.
Relative: OK.
Nurse: First, clean your hands with the ____________ outside the room.
Relative: All right. Clean our hands. Anything else?
Nurse: Yes. You need to put on a _______________. The aprons are also outside the room.
Relative: I see. The white, plastic aprons. OK.
Nurse: Last, put on a disposable _________. Then you are ready to go into the room.