1. Safety and Asepsis Flashcards
An object that is not living, such as metal or stone
inanimate
A living body, such as a virus, which is too small to be seen by the naked eye
microorganism
A microorganism that causes disease
pathogen
The steps in the process of disease transmission
chain of infection
AKA infection cycle
Name the steps in the chain of infection
- Infectious agent (causative organism)
- Reservoir (where organism grows and multiplies)
- Exit route (how it leaves the reservoir)
- Method of transmission (means of transfer to potential victim—direct/indirect contact, air/droplets, vectors)
- Entrance (route into the body)
- Host
A tough outer coating formed by some bacteria as a defense
spore
Difficult to destroy because they are resistant to heat and most chemical disinfectants.
Destroying ALL microorganisms, including spore-bearing ones
sterilization
Only inanimate surfaces can be made sterile (not skin).
Destroying all microorganisms EXCEPT spore-bearing ones
disinfection
Disinfectants are too strong to use on living tissue; only inanimate surfaces can be disinfected. Some products can be used as either a disinfectant or sterilants, with a longer contact time required for sterilization.
Inhibiting the growth of microorganisms
antisepsis
Living surfaces such as skin cannot be safely disinfected or sterilized. Antiseptics are used on living tissue to achieve antisepsis.
Achieved by breaking one or more links in the chain of infection
infection control
The start of infection control
personal hygiene
hand washing, clean uniforms, clean/pulled back hair, frequent bathing, short/clean fingernails, no jewelry
The single most important step in maintaining asepsis
hand washing
You should wash your hands:
- Before/after every procedure
- Before/after eating
- After using the restroom
- After removing gloves
- After wiping/blowing nose
- At the beginning and end of each workday
- After using items handled by a client
- After handling contaminated equipment or supplies
- Any time you doubt the cleanliness of your hands
Equipment that will be sterilized must be _______ first.
cleaned
Anything contaminated with blood or body fluids should be thoroughly ___________ with ____________ before being washed.
rinsed; cold water
Antiseptics are used on _____, but should not be used on _______.
skin; equipment
Equipment should be cleaned with a __________ or __________ as appropriate.
hospital grade disinfectant; sterilized
Use a 1:10 solution of __________ to clean blood or body fluids.
bleach to water
Use a puncture-resistant ________ for discarded needles.
sharps container
Use double plastic trash bags for anything contaminated with ________.
blood or body fluids
Use ______ equipment whenever possible.
disposable
Never _______ disposable equipment.
reuse
Store clean equipment in a ______, ______ area where it will not become contaminated.
clean, dry
__________ should be used to cover equipment and objects that cannot be discarded or easily sterilized.
barrier film
Touching and kissing are forms of _______.
direct contact
Touching used tissues, needles, or contaminated surfaces are methods of ______.
indirect contact
A reservoir or source must satisfy the microorganism’s _____ needs.
growth
Live creatures, such as flies and mosquitos, that transfer pathogens are known as _______.
vectors
The _____ is the route the pathogen takes into the body.
entrance
Any opening which can serve as a portal of exit can also serve as a portal of entry.
Carried in the blood
bloodborne
HBV
hepatitis B virus