Block 5: Infection Prevention

Question 1

Exposure Control Plan

Answer 1

Designed to identify in writing, tasks and procedures, as well as job classifications where occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials occurs.

Question 2

Exposure Incident

Answer 2

A specific eye, mouth, other mucous membrane, non-intact skin or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that results from the performance of an employee’s duties

Question 3

Hand Hygiene

Answer 3

Washing hands with either plain or antiseptic soap and water and using alcohol-based hand rubs

Question 4

Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI)

Answer 4

An infection acquired within a healthcare setting during the delivery of medical care

Question 5

Hepatitis

Answer 5

Inflammation of the liver caused by certain viruses and other factors, such as alcohol abuse, some medications, and trauma

Question 6

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Answer 6

Is a virus that attacks the immune system, the body’s natural defense system

Question 7

Infection

Answer 7

The state resulting from pathogens invading the body and multiplying

Question 8

Infection Prevention

Answer 8

The set of methods practiced in healthcare facilities to prevent and control the spread of disease

Question 9

Influenza

Answer 9

A highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory passages causing fever, severe aching, and catarrh, and often occurring in epidemics

Question 10

Isolation

Answer 10

The physical separation of individuals with certain infections from other people to prevent or limit the transmission of disease.

Question 11

Microorganism

Answer 11

A living thing or organism that is so small that it can be seen only through a microscope; also called microbe

Question 12

Multidrug-Resistant Organisms (MDROs)

Answer 12

Are defined as bacteria that have become resistant to more than one class of antimicrobial agents and usually are resistant to all but one or two commercially available antimicrobial agents, complicating treatment of illnesses they cause.

Question 13

Non-Pathogen

Answer 13

Microorganisms incapable of causing disease

Question 14

Normal Flora

Answer 14

Are bacteria which are found in or on our bodies on a semi-permanent basis without causing disease

Question 15

Pathogen

Answer 15

A microorganism that is capable of causing infection and disease

Question 16

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Answer 16

Equipment that helps protect employees from serious workplace injuries or illnesses resulting from contact with workplace hazards

Question 17

Reverse Isolation

Answer 17

Isolation procedures designed to protect a patient from infectious organisms that might be carried by staff or visitors. Patients who have a decreased immune system, usually from chemotherapy, may be placed in reverse isolation

Question 18

Shingles

Answer 18

An acute, painful inflammation of the nerve ganglia, with a skin eruption often forming a girdle around the middle of the body. It is caused by the same virus as chickenpox

Question 19

Standard Precautions

Answer 19

A method of infection prevention in which all blood, body fluids, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes are treated as if they were infected with an infectious disease

Question 20

Sterile

Answer 20

Free from bacteria or other living microorganisms; totally clean

Question 21

Transmission-Based Precautions

Answer 21

A method of infection control used when caring for persons who are infected or suspected of being infected with a disease; also called Isolation Precautions. The three categories are airborne, droplet, and contact.

Question 22

Tuberculosis (TB)

Answer 22

A highly contagious lung disease caused by a bacterium that is carried on mucous droplets suspended in the air

Question 23

Virus

Answer 23

A pathogen which can grow and reproduce only after infecting a host cell.

Question 24

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

Answer 24

Disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in which the body’s immune system is weakened and unable to fight infection.

Question 25

Anti-microbial

Answer 25

An agent that destroys, resists, or prevents the development of pathogens.

Question 26

Asepsis

Answer 26

The process of removing pathogens, or the state of being free of pathogens.

Question 27

Bacteria

Answer 27

A one-celled organism including some that can cause disease.

Question 28

Biohazardous

Answer 28

A risk to human health or the environment arising from biological work, especially with microorganisms.

Question 29

Blood Borne Pathogens

Answer 29

Pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause disease in humans.

Question 30

Center for Disease Control (CDC)

Answer 30

A government agency under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that issues information to protect the health of individuals and communities.

Question 31

Chain of Infection

Answer 31

Way of describing how disease is transmitted from one being to another.

Question 32

Clostridium Difficile (C-Diff)

Answer 32

Bacterial illness that can cause diarrhea and colitis.

Question 33

Communicable

Answer 33

(Of a disease) Able to be transmitted from one sufferer to another; contagious or infectious.

Question 34

Contact Precautions

Answer 34

Precautions used when there is a risk of transmitting or contracting a microorganism from touching an infected object or person.

Question 35

Cross Contamination

Answer 35

The process by which bacteria or other microorganisms are unintentionally transferred from one substance or object to another, with harmful effect.

Question 36

Disinfectants

Answer 36

A chemical liquid that destroys bacteria.

Question 37

Disposable

Answer 37

Only to be used once and then discarded.

Question 38

Contamination

Answer 38

The action or state of making or being made impure by polluting or poisoning.

Question 39

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Answer 39

An agency of the US government under the Department of Labor with the responsibility of ensuring safety at work and a healthful work environment. OSHA’s mission is to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses and deaths.

Question 40

Mucous Membrane

Answer 40

The membranes that line body cavities that open to the outside of the body, such as the linings of the mouth, nose, eyes, rectum, or genitals.