Asepsis Flashcards
Infection
invasion of a susceptible host by a potentially harmful microorganism (pathogen) resulting in disease
Colonization
presence & growth of microorganisms within a host but without tissue invasion or damage
Fungi
a principle infecting agent includes yeast, molds & mushrooms grow in single cells or in multicellular filmentous colonies
Virulence
microorganisms ability to produce disease
Resevoir
a place where microorganisms survive, multiply, & wait to transfer to a susceptible host
Carrier
human who shows no signs of disease but carry & can transmit microorganisms
Immunity
state in which a host in not susceptible either artificially or naturally
Active Immunity
results from having a disease & mounting an immune response that usually lasts a lifetime
Passive Immunity
acquisition of an antibody by one person from another, usually lasts short duration (weeks-month) EX: mother to baby
Antibodies
immunoglobulins, essential to the immune system, produced by lymphoid tissue in response to bacteria, viruses or other antigens
Pathogenecity
ability of pathogenic agent to produce disease
Normal Flora
large amounts of microorganisms residing on surface & deep layers of skin, in saliva, oral mucosa & intestinal walls
Inflammation
cellular response of the body to injury or infection
Necrotic
of or pertaining to the death of tissue in response to disease or injury
Antigen
foreign material entering the body that creates a series of responses that changes the biological make-up of the body
Health-Care Acquired Infection (HAI)
when a patient develops an infections that was not present or incubating at the time of admission to a healthcare setting
Exogenous Infection
comes from microorganisms found outside the individual
Endogenous Infection
occurs when part of a patient flora becomes altered & overgrowth occurs
Aseptic Technique
an effort to keep patients as free from exposure to infections-causing pathogens as possible
Medical Asepsis
“clean techniques” including procedures used to reduce the # & prevent the spread of microorganisms
Surgical Asepsis
“sterile techniques” including procedures to eliminate all microorganisms
Sterilization
destroys all microorganisms & their spores
Standard Precautions
used routinely with every patient regardless of diagnosis, including hand hygiene & use of barriers (gloves)
Transmission-Based Precautions
required when patient has communicable disease or infection that is easily transmissible
Airborne Precautions
safeguards to reduce the risk of transmission of infection through air a person breathes
Contact Precautions
safeguards to reduce the risk of transmission of infection by direct or indirect contact
Droplet Precautions
safeguards to reduce the risk of droplet transmission of infectious agents
Aerobe
a microbe that is able to live and reproduce in the presence of oxygen
Anaerobe
a microorganism that can live and reproduce in the absence of oxygen
Airborne Transmission
transmission of infection through the air a person breathes
Antibiotic
a natural or synthetic substance used extensibely to treat infectious diseases
Antimicrobial
destructive to or preventing the development of microorganisms
Antiseptic
preventing or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms
Communicable Disease
a disease capable of being transmitted from one individual to another
Cultures
the propagation of microorganisms or of living tissue cells in special media that are conducive to their growth
Disinfectants
a substance that prevents infection by killing bacteria mostly used on surfaces or equipment, not the body
Exudate
any fluid released from the body with a high concentration of protein, cells, or solid debris
Immunoglobulins
any of a diverse group of plasma polypeptides that bind antigenic proteins & serve as one of the body’s primary defenses against disease
Isolation
the physical separation of those with certain infections from other people to prevent or limit the transmission of disease
Leukocytosis
an increase in the number of leukocytes in the blood occurs most commonly in disease involving infection
Nonspecific Defenses
the general ways a body prevents foreign materials from causing harm includes physical & chemical barriers, the inflammatory response & interferons
Nosocomial Infection
an infection acquired in a hospital, nursing home, or other health care setting burn patients & surgical ICU patients have highest rates
Resident Flora
normal flora
Spore
a cell produced by fungi for reproduction; may remain dormant yet viable for months a resistant cell produced by bacteria to withstand extreme heat, cold or dehydration; may remain viable for decades
Sterile Field
area that is free from living microorganisms
Sterile Technique
includes procedures to eliminate all microorganisms from an area; “surgical asepsis”
Asphyxiation
the process of limiting intake of oxygen
Bactericidal
capable of killing bacteria
Bloodborne Pathogen
pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood
Cellular Immunity
T-cell mediated immune functions requiring cell interactions
Fungi
the kingdom of organisms that include yeasts, mold & mushrooms
Host
the organism from which a parasite obtains its nourishment
Humoral Immunity
protective activities of antibodies against infection or reinfection by common organisms
Occupational Exposure
introduction of microorganisms during job duties that may place worker at risk for infections
Opportunistic Pathogen
any pathogen that causes infection resulting from a defective immune system that cannot defend against it resident flora that infects a body site in which they are normally present
Virus
a pathogen composed of nucleic acid within a protein shell which can grow and reproduce only after infecting a host cell
Normal Defenses of the Body Against Infection
Normal Flora Body System Defenses Inflammation Immune Response