Ch. 19 Asepsis & Infection (Terms) Flashcards
antiseptic
agent that stops or slows the growth of microorganisms living tissue, commonly used for handwashing, skin prep, and wound packing or irrigation
asepsis
absence of disease producing microorganisms
bactericidal
able to kill bacteria
bacteriostatic
able to inhibit the growth of bacteria
carriers
person from whom a microorganism can be cultured but who shows no sign of a disease
disinfectant
chemical used to kill microorganisms on lifeless objects
extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBLs)
enzymes that give bacteria immunity to both penicillin and cephalosporin antibiotics
hand hygiene
handwashing with soap and water or cleansing the hands with a waterless alcohol based cleaner to prevent the spread of infection
healthcare associated infections
a term that encompasses infections contracted
infectious disease
process resulting from infection that produces manifestations such as fever, leukocytosis, inflammation or tissue damage
isolation
techniques used to limit the spread of infection
medical asepsis
measures taken to control and reduce the # of pathogens present also known as clean technique, measures include handwashing gloving gowning and disinfecting to help contain microbial growth
multidrug resistant organisms
organisms that have developed resistance to multiple antibiotics
nosocomial infection
infection acquired during receipt of health care
opportunistic infection
infections that do not result in disease in individuals with properly functioning immune systems
pathogenicity
an organisms ability to harm and cause disease
pathogens
microorganisms that can harm humans
PPE
techniques or equipment that prevents the transfer of pathogens from one person to another also referred to as barriers
prions
organisms that cause a rapidly progressing neurodegenerative disease affecting both animals and humans that is untreatable and always fatal
sepsis
poisoning of body tissues usually refers to bloodborne organisms or their toxic products
specificity
organisms
standard precautions
the latest CDC isolation system that combines the major features of Universal Precautions (blood borne transmissions and Body Substance Isolation (moist body substances transmission) thus protecting against blood and body fluid transmission of potentially infective agent
sterilization
destruction of all bacteria, spores, fungi and viruses of an item, accomplished by heat, chemicals or gas, rendered unable to reproduce biologically
surgical asepsis
refers to “sterile technique” in which an object is free of all microorganisms to prevent the introduction or spread of pathogens from the environment into the patients employed when a body cavity is entered with an object that may damage the mucous membranes, when surgical procedures are performed and when the patient’s immune system is already compromised
virulence
vigor with which an organism can grow and multiply
neutropenia
low number of neutrophils in blood