Asepsis & Infection Control Flashcards
aerobic
requiring oxygen to live and grow
airborne transmission
spreading of microorganisms that are less than 5 mcm when an infected host coughs, sneezes, or talks
anaerobic
capable of living without oxygen
antibody
immunoglobin produced by the body in response to a specific antigen
antigen
foreign material capable of inducing a specific immune response
antimicrobial
antibacterial agent that kills bacteria or suppresses their growth
asepsis
absence of disease-producing microorganisms; using methods to prevent infection
bacteria
the most significant and most commonly observed infection-causing agents
bundles
evidence-based best practices that have proven positive outcomes when implemented together to prevent infection
colonization
presence of an organism residing in an individual’s body but with no clinical signs of infection
direct contact
way for organisms to enter the body that involves proximity between the susceptible host and an infected person or a carrier
disinfection
process used to destroy microorganisms but not spores
droplet transmission
transmission of particles greater than 5 mcm
endemic
something that occurs with predictability in one specific region or population
endogenous
infection in which the causative organism comes from microbial life harbored within the person
exogenous
infection in which the causative organism is acquired from outside the host
fomite
objects or materials that are likely to carry infection
fungi
plant-like organisms that can cause infection
health care–associated infection (HAI)
an infection that was not present on admission but develops during stay at health care institution
host
animal or person on or within which microorganisms live
iatrogenic
infection that occurs as a result of a treatment or diagnostic procedure
indirect contact
personal contact with either a vector or an inanimate object that transmits an infectious agent to a human
infection
disease state resulting from pathogens in or on the body
isolation
protective procedure designed to prevent the transmission of specific microorganisms
medical asepsis
practices designed to reduce the number and transfer of pathogens
nosocomial
something originating or taking place in the hospital
parasites
organism that lives on or in a host and relies on it for nourishment
pathogens
disease-producing microorganism
personal protective equipment (PPE)
gloves, gowns, masks, and protective eye gear designed to minimize or prevent the health care worker’s exposure to infectious material
reservoir
natural habitat for the growth and multiplication of microorganisms
standard precautions
CDC precautions used in the care of all patients regardless of their diagnosis or possible infection status
sterilization
the process by which all microorganisms, including spores, are destroyed
surgical asepsis
practices that render and keep objects and areas free from microorganisms
transmission-based precautions
CDC precautions used in patients known or suspected to be infected with pathogens that can be transmitted by airborne, droplet, or contact routes
vector
nonhuman carriers that transmit organisms from one host to another
virulence
ability to produce disease
virus
smallest of all microorganisms