Block Five Flashcards
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)
the set of methods practice in healthcare facilities to prevent and control the spread of disease
Microorganism
a living thing or organism that is so small it can only be seen through a microscope, also called a microbe
Infection
the state resulting from pathogens invading the body and multiplying
Pathogen
a microorganism that is capable of causing infection and disease
Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI)
an infection acquired within a healthcare setting during the delivery of mewdical care
Chain of Infection
way of describing how disease is transmitted from one being to another
Bacteria
a one-celled organism including some that can cause disease
Virus
a pathogen that can grow and reproduce only after infecting a host cell
Normal Flora
bacteria which are found in or on our bodies on a semi-permanent basis without causing diease
Non-Pathogens
a microorganism incapable of causing diease
Mucous Membranes
mucosa that lines the insides of organs and cavities throughout your body that are exposed to particles from outside
Communicable
able to be transmitted from one sufferer to another; contagious or infectious
Asepsis
the absence of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms
Sterile
free from bacteria or other living microorganisms; totally clean
Center for Disease Control (CDC)
a government agency under the US Department of Health and Human Services that issues information to protect the health of individuals and communities
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
Biohazard
a risk to human health or environment arising from biological work, especially with microorgansims
Contamination
the action or state of making or being made impure by polluting or poisoning
Cross Contamination
the process by which bacteria or other microorganisms are unintentionally transferred from one substance or object to another, with harmful effects
Hand Hygiene
washing hands with either plain or antiseptic soap and water and using alcohol-based hand rubs
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
equipment that helps protect employees from serious workplace injuries or illness resulting from contact with workplace hazard
Don
to put on
Doff
to remove
Clean
in health care, a condition in which objects are not contaminated with pathogens
Dirty
in health care, a condition in which objects have been contaminated with pathogens
Disinfect
an act or process that destroys most, but not all, pathogens by reducing the pathogen count to a level that is considered not infectious
Disposable
only to be used once and then discarded
Disinfectant
a chemical liquid that destroys bacteria
Anti-Microbial
destroying or inhibiting the growth of micoorganisms
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 (airborne, droplet, and contact)
Droplet Precautions
infection control measures taken to prevent the spread of pathogens that are spread through droplets in the air that don’t normally travel more than 6 feet, these measures include wearing a face mask during care
Contact Precautions
precautions used when there is a risk of transmitting or contacting a microorganism from toughing an infected object or person
Isolation
the physical separation of individuals with certain infections from other people to prevent or limit the transmission of diease
Reverse Isolation
isolation procedures designed to protect a patient from infectious organisms that might be carried by staff or visitors
Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP)
pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause diease in humans
Hepatitis
inflammation of the liver caused by certain viruses and other factors, such as alcohol abuse, some medications, and trauma
Tuberculosis (TB)
a highly contagious lung disease caused by a bacterium that is carried on mucous droplets suspended in the air
COVID-19
a droplet and airborne diease transmitted through droplets and particles produced by an infected person; often characterized by respiratory sympyoms and capable of progressing to severe symptoms, even death, especially in people who are older or have underlying conditions
Influenza
a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory passages causing fever, severe aching, and often occuring in epidemics
Multidrug-Resistant Organisms (MDRO’s)
bacteria that have become resistant to more than one class of antimicrobial agents and usually resistant to all byt one or two commercially available anti-micorbial agents, complicating treatment of illnesses they cause
Shingles
an acute, painful inflammation of the nerve ganglia, with a skin eruption, often forming a girdle around the middle of the body, caused by the same virus as chicken pox
Clostridiodies/Clostridium difficle (C. diff)
bacterial illness that can cause diarrhea and colitis
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 membranes, non-intact skin, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that results from the performance of an employee’s duties
