Block 5: Infection Prevention Flashcards
Exposure Control Plan
Designed to identify in writing, tasks and procedures, as well as job classifications where occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials occurs.
Exposure Incident
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
Hand Hygiene
Washing hands with either plain or antiseptic soap and water and using alcohol-based hand rubs
Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI)
An infection acquired within a healthcare setting during the delivery of medical care
Hepatitis
Inflammation of the liver caused by certain viruses and other factors, such as alcohol abuse, some medications, and trauma
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Is a virus that attacks the immune system, the body’s natural defense system
Infection
The state resulting from pathogens invading the body and multiplying
Infection Prevention
The set of methods practiced in healthcare facilities to prevent and control the spread of disease
Influenza
A highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory passages causing fever, severe aching, and catarrh, and often occurring in epidemics
Isolation
The physical separation of individuals with certain infections from other people to prevent or limit the transmission of disease.
Microorganism
A living thing or organism that is so small that it can be seen only through a microscope; also called microbe
Multidrug-Resistant Organisms (MDROs)
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.
Non-Pathogen
Microorganisms incapable of causing disease
Normal Flora
Are bacteria which are found in or on our bodies on a semi-permanent basis without causing disease
Pathogen
A microorganism that is capable of causing infection and disease
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Equipment that helps protect employees from serious workplace injuries or illnesses resulting from contact with workplace hazards
Reverse Isolation
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
Shingles
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
Standard Precautions
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
Sterile
Free from bacteria or other living microorganisms; totally clean
Transmission-Based Precautions
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.
Tuberculosis (TB)
A highly contagious lung disease caused by a bacterium that is carried on mucous droplets suspended in the air
Virus
A pathogen which can grow and reproduce only after infecting a host cell.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
Disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in which the body’s immune system is weakened and unable to fight infection.
Anti-microbial
An agent that destroys, resists, or prevents the development of pathogens.
Asepsis
The process of removing pathogens, or the state of being free of pathogens.
Bacteria
A one-celled organism including some that can cause disease.
Biohazardous
A risk to human health or the environment arising from biological work, especially with microorganisms.
Blood Borne Pathogens
Pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause disease in humans.
Center for Disease Control (CDC)
A government agency under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that issues information to protect the health of individuals and communities.
Chain of Infection
Way of describing how disease is transmitted from one being to another.
Clostridium Difficile (C-Diff)
Bacterial illness that can cause diarrhea and colitis.
Communicable
(Of a disease) Able to be transmitted from one sufferer to another; contagious or infectious.
Contact Precautions
Precautions used when there is a risk of transmitting or contracting a microorganism from touching an infected object or person.
Cross Contamination
The process by which bacteria or other microorganisms are unintentionally transferred from one substance or object to another, with harmful effect.
Disinfectants
A chemical liquid that destroys bacteria.
Disposable
Only to be used once and then discarded.
Contamination
The action or state of making or being made impure by polluting or poisoning.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
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.
Mucous Membrane
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.
