Chapter 2: Workforce Safety & Wellness Flashcards
Cumalative Stress Reactions
Prolonged or excessive stress
Indirect Contact
Exposure or transmission of disease from one person to another by contact w/ a contaminated object
Foodborne Transmission
The contamination of food or water w/ an organism that can cause disease
Hepatitis
Inflammation of the liver (usually caused by viral infection). Causes:
- fever
- loss of appetite
- jaundice
- fatigue
- altered liver function
Designated Officer
The individual in the department who is charged w/ the responsibility of managing exposures and infection control issues
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) caused by HIV. Damages cells in the body’s immune system so the body is unable to fight infection/cancers
Cover
The tactical use of an impenetrable barrier for protection
Exposure
A situation in which a person has had contact w/ blood, body fluids, tissues, airborne particles, in a manner that suggests disease transmission may occur
Standard Precautions
Protective measures developed by the CDC for dealing w/ objects, blood, body fluids, & other exposure risks of communicable disease
Delayed Stress Reactions
Reactions to stress that occur AFTER a stressful situation
Vector-borne Transmission
The use of an animal to spread an organism from one person/place to another
Aerosol-generating Procedure
An airway manipulation that induces the production of aerosols that may present a risk for airborne transmission of pathogens (ex: CPR)
Infectious Disease
A medical condition caused by the growth & spread of small, harmful organisms within the body
Critical Incident Stress Management
A process that confronts the responses to critical incidents & defuses them, directing EMS personnel toward physical/emotional equilibrium
Infection
The abnormal invasion of a host by organisms (ex: bacteria, viruses, parasites) with or without symptoms of disease
Pathogen
A microorganism capable of causing disease in a susceptible host
Eustress
A beneficial response to a stressor
Acute Stress Reactions
Reactions to stress that occur DURING a stressful situation
Compassion Fatigue
A stress disorder characterized by gradual lessening of compassion over time
Infection Control
Procedures to reduce transmission of infection among patients & health care personnel
Bloodborne Pathogens
Pathogenic microorganisms present in human blood & can cause disease in humans (ex: hepatitis B, HIV)
Resilience
The capacity of an individual to cope w/ & recover from distress
Immunity
The body’s ability to protect itself from acquiring a disease
Wellness
The active pursuit of a state of good health
Distress
A negative response to a stressor
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
A delayed stress reaction to a prior incident. Often the result of 1+ unresolved issues concerning the incident, may relate to an incident involving physical harm or the threat of physical harm.
Communicable Disease
A disease that can be spread from one person/species to another
Transmission
The way in which an infectious disease is spread (contact, airborne, by vehicle, vectors)
Host
The organism/individual attacked by the infecting agent
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
The primary federal agency that conducts & supports public health activities in the US
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Protective equipment that blocks exposure to a pathogen/hazardous material
Airborne Transmission
The spread of an organism via droplets/dust
Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)
The federal regulatory compliance agency that develops, publishes, and enforces guidelines concerning safety in the workplace
Contamination
The presence of infectious organisms on/in objects (ex: dressings, water, food, needles, wounds, patient’s body)
Direct Contact
Exposure or transmission of a communicable disease from one person to another by physical contact
Burnout
A combination of exhaustion, cynicism, & reduced performance resulting from long-term job stresses in health care & other high-stress professions
Concealment
The use of objects to limit a person’s ability to see you
General Adaptation Syndrome
The body’s response to stress:
1. Alarm Response
2. Reaction & Resistance
3. Recovery
OR
4. Exhaustion
