Ch. 19 Asepsis & Infection (Terms)

Question 1

antiseptic

Answer 1

agent that stops or slows the growth of microorganisms living tissue, commonly used for handwashing, skin prep, and wound packing or irrigation

Question 2

asepsis

Answer 2

absence of disease producing microorganisms

Question 3

bactericidal

Answer 3

able to kill bacteria

Question 4

bacteriostatic

Answer 4

able to inhibit the growth of bacteria

Question 5

carriers

Answer 5

person from whom a microorganism can be cultured but who shows no sign of a disease

Question 6

disinfectant

Answer 6

chemical used to kill microorganisms on lifeless objects

Question 7

extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBLs)

Answer 7

enzymes that give bacteria immunity to both penicillin and cephalosporin antibiotics

Question 8

hand hygiene

Answer 8

handwashing with soap and water or cleansing the hands with a waterless alcohol based cleaner to prevent the spread of infection

Question 9

healthcare associated infections

Answer 9

a term that encompasses infections contracted

Question 10

infectious disease

Answer 10

process resulting from infection that produces manifestations such as fever, leukocytosis, inflammation or tissue damage

Question 11

isolation

Answer 11

techniques used to limit the spread of infection

Question 12

medical asepsis

Answer 12

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

Question 13

multidrug resistant organisms

Answer 13

organisms that have developed resistance to multiple antibiotics

Question 14

nosocomial infection

Answer 14

infection acquired during receipt of health care

Question 15

opportunistic infection

Answer 15

infections that do not result in disease in individuals with properly functioning immune systems

Question 16

pathogenicity

Answer 16

an organisms ability to harm and cause disease

Question 17

pathogens

Answer 17

microorganisms that can harm humans

Question 18

PPE

Answer 18

techniques or equipment that prevents the transfer of pathogens from one person to another also referred to as barriers

Question 19

prions

Answer 19

organisms that cause a rapidly progressing neurodegenerative disease affecting both animals and humans that is untreatable and always fatal

Question 20

sepsis

Answer 20

poisoning of body tissues usually refers to bloodborne organisms or their toxic products

Question 21

specificity

Answer 21

organisms

Question 22

standard precautions

Answer 22

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

Question 23

sterilization

Answer 23

destruction of all bacteria, spores, fungi and viruses of an item, accomplished by heat, chemicals or gas, rendered unable to reproduce biologically

Question 24

surgical asepsis

Answer 24

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

Question 25

virulence

Answer 25

vigor with which an organism can grow and multiply

Question 26

neutropenia

Answer 26

low number of neutrophils in blood