Chapter 15 - Key Terms Flashcards
a disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) which attacks the immune system destroying the body’s ability to fight infections
acquired immune deficiency syndrom (AIDS)
requiring oxygen to live and grow
aerobic
methods of infection control that must be used for patients known or suspected to be infected with pathogens transmitted by airborne droplet nuclei
airborne precautions
not requiring oxygen to live and grow; able to thrive in the absense of oxygen
anaerobic
aseptic control that inhibits, retards growth f, or kills pathogenic organisms; not effective against spores and viruses
antisepsis
being free from infection
asepsis
piece if equipment used to sterilize articles by way of steam under pressure and/or dry heat
autoclave
one-celled microorganisms, some of which are beneficial and some of which cause disease
bacteria
the use of biological agents, such as pathogens, for terrorist purposes
bioterrorism
the cleaning process employed in an ultrasonic unit; bubbles explode onto article being cleaned
cavitation
factors that lead to the transmission or spread of disease
chain of infection
chemicals used for aseptic control
chemical disinfection
free from organisms causing disease
clean
a disease that is transmitted from one individual to another
communicable disease
methods of infection control that must be used for patients known or suspected to be infected with epidemiological microorganisms that can be transmitted by either direct or indirect contact
contact precautions
containing infection or infectious organisms or germs
contaminated
aseptic-control method that destroys pathogens but does not usually kill spores and viruses
disinfection
methods of infection control that must be used for patients known or suspected to be infected with pathogens transmitted by large particle droplets expelled during coughing, sneezing, talking, or laughing
droplet precautions
a filovirus that causes hemorrhagic fever disease
ebola
infection or disease originating within the body
endogenous
an infectious disease that affects a large number of people within a population, community, or region at the same time
epidemic
infection or disease originating outside of or external to the body
exogenous
substances or objects that adheres to and transmits infectious material
fomites
a group of simple, plantlike animals that live on dad organic matter (mold, yeast)
fungi
an infction acquired by an individual in a health care facility such as a hospital or long-term care facility
health care associated infection (HAI)
a parasitic worm (tapeworm, leech)
helminths
a virus cause by the OBV virus and is transmitted by blood, serum, and other body secretions; affects the liver and can lead to the destruction and scarring of liver cells; also called serum hepatitis
hepatitis B
a virus caused by the hepatitis C virus, or HCV; transmitted by blood and blood-containing body fluids; any individuals who cotract the disease are asymptomatic; others have mild symptoms that are often diagnosed as influenza or flu; can cause serious liver damage that may result in death
hepatitis C
a pathogen, such as bacterium or virus that can cause a disease
infectious agent
small, living plant or animal not visible to the naked eye; a microbe
microorganism
a way that the infectious agent can be transmitted to another reservoir or host where it can live
mode of transmission
microorganisms that are not capable of causing disease
nonpathogens
characterizes infections that occur when the body’s defenses are weak
opportunistic
an infectious disease that affects many people over a wide geographic area; a world-wide epidemic
pandemic
organism that lives on or within another living organism
parasite
disease-producing organisms
pathogens
protective barriers such as a mask, gloves, and protective eyeware that helps a person from contact with infectious material
personal protective equipment (PPE)
a way for the infectious agent to enter a new reservoir or host
portal of entry
a way for the infectious agent to enter a new reservoir in which it has been growing
portal of exit
the practices used for protecting vulnerable persons for contracting an infection
protection (reverse) isolation
microscopic, one-celled animals often found in decayed materials and contaminated water
protozoa
an area where the infectious agent can live
reservoir
parasitic microorganisms that live on other living organisms
rickettsiae
recommendations that must be followed to prevent transmission of pathogenic organisms by way of blood and body fluids
standard precautions
free of all organisms, including spores and viruses
sterile
an area that is set up for certain procedures and is free from all organisms
sterile field
process that results in total destruction of all microorganisms; also, a surgical procedure that prevents conception of a child
sterilization
a person likely to get an infection or disease, usually because body defenses are weak
susceptible host
methods or techniques of caring for patients who have communicable diseases
transmission-based precautions
pieces of equipment that clean using sound waves
ultrasonic units
smallest microorganisms; cannot reproduce unless they’re inside another cell
viruses
