Asepsis And Safety Flashcards
Disease
A detectable alteration in normal tissue function
Virulence
Ability to produce disease
Communicable disease
If the infectious agent can be transmitted to an individual by direct or indirect contact or as an airborne infection
Pathogenicity
The ability to produce disease
Pathogen
A microorganism that causes disease
Opportunistic pathogen
Causes disease only in a susceptible individual
Asepsis
The freedom from disease causing microorganisms
Medical asepsis
Includes all practices intended to confine a specific microorganism to a specific area. Working clean
Limits growth and transmission of microorganisms
Surgical asepsis
Refers to those practices that keep an area or object free of all microorganisms and spores. Sterile technique. Used for all invasive procedures of the body
Sepsis
The condition in which acute organ dysfunction occurs secondary to infection
The state of infection
Bacteria
The most common infection causing microorganism
Can be transported through air, water, soil, body tissues and fluids
Viruses
Consist primarily of nucleic acid and therefore must enter living cells in order to reproduce
Common viruses rhinovirus( common cold) hepatitis, herpes, hiv
Fungi
Includes yeast and mold
Parasites
Live on other living organisms
Include Protozoa such as malaria, helminths( worms), Arthropods( mites, fleas, ticks
Colonization
The process by which strains of microorganisms become resident flora. This is not an infection. Invasion to an unprotected area will cause infection
Local infection
Is limited to a specific part of the body where the microorganisms remain
Systemic infection
If the microorganisms spread and damage different parts of the body
Bacteremia
When a culture of a persons blood reveals microorganisms
Septicemia
When bacteremia results in systemic infection
What are the parts of the chain of infection
Etiologic agent Reservoir Portal of exit Mode of transmission Portal of entry Susceptible host
Nosocomial infections
Classified as infections that originate in the hospital
Endogenous source
Infections that originate from the clients themselves
Examples E. coli, staphylococcus aureus, and entrococci
Exogenous
Infections that come from the hospital environment and hospital personnel
Examples C. difficile
Iatrogenic infections
Direct result of diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.
Etiologic agent
Number of microorganisms present, virulence and potency,
Ability to enter the body
Susceptibility of the host
Ability to live in the host’s body
Reservoirs
Source of microorganisms
Carrier
Human , clients own microorganisms, plants, animals, or general environment
Portal of exit
Before infection can establish the microorganisms must leave the reservoir Nose or mouth Anus urinary Vagina Open wound Drainage
Infection
Growth of microorganism in a body tissue where they are not usually found.
