Chapter 7: Microorganisms and Infection Control

Question 1

Microorganisms

Answer 1

An extremely small life form, only able to be seen with a microscope

Question 2

Infection

Answer 2

The invasion and multiplication of harmful microbes with the body’s tissues

Question 3

Types of Microorganisms

Answer 3

1) Bacteria
2) Viruses
3) Fungi
4) Protozoa
5) Prions

Question 4

Bacteria

Answer 4

Single-celled microorganisms, widely dispersed in nature
Most are harmless, and some are capable of causing disease

Question 5

Gram Staining

Answer 5

The procedure for identifying bacteria and certain other microbes according to their reaction to the dye
Either Gram Positive (stains blue/purple) or Gram Negative (stains pink/red

Question 6

Staphylococcus aureus

Answer 6

A Gram positive bacteria, frequently cause blepharitis, conjunctivitis and keratitis

Question 7

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Answer 7

A S. aureus bacteria that is resistant to most antibiotics

Question 8

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Answer 8

A Gram negative bacteria, often seen with over use of contact lenses. Can result with permanent vision loss within 48 hours.

Question 9

Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Answer 9

A Gram negative bacteria that is typically transmitted through sexual activity or exposure through birth

Question 10

Mycobacteria

Answer 10

A bacteria capable of intracellular growth, was once common with LASIK surgery

Question 11

Chlamydia trachomatis

Answer 11

A bacteria responsible for neonatal conjunctivitis, inclusion conjunctivitis, trachoma

Question 12

Treponema pallidum

Answer 12

The bacteria responsible for Syphilis

Question 13

Borrelia burgdorferi

Answer 13

The bacteria responsible for Lyme Disease

Question 14

Virus

Answer 14

A microorganism smaller than the smallest bacterium that has no cellular structure and can cause infectious disease
Many viruses have a finite, definitive course that they run.
Treatment is aimed at alleviating symptoms

Question 15

Herpes Virus

Answer 15

A family of viruses

Question 16

Herpes Simplex virus Type 1

Answer 16

A herpes virus that causes recurrent fever blisters on the lips and mouth, and can cause keratitis

Question 17

Herpes Simplex virus Type 2

Answer 17

A Herpes virus that causes fever blisters on the genitals and is spread through sexual contact

Question 18

Varicella-zoster virus

Answer 18

A herpes virus that produces chicken pox, shingles, and herpes zoster ophthalmicus

Question 19

Herpes zoster ophthalmicus

Answer 19

A condition in which the varicella zoster virus that can cause painful blistering rash that involves the forehead, eyelids, uveitis, corneal inflammation, and more

Question 20

CMV Retinitis

Answer 20

An ocular infection due to Cytomegalovirus, common in HIV patients

Question 21

Cytomegalovirus

Answer 21

A member of the herpes virus family that can cause CMV retinitis

Question 22

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Answer 22

A retrovirus that causes AIDS, a disorder of the immune system that increases the patient’s susceptibility to infections

Question 23

Adenovirus

Answer 23

A family of viruses involved primarily in respiratory infections, but can also cause highly contagious conjunctivitis (Viral Pink Eye)

Question 24

Fungus

Answer 24

A multi-celled microorganism that differs from bacterium in that it has a more complex structure
Includes yeast and mold
Ocular infections are typically due to trauma with vegetative matter

Question 25

Yeast

Answer 25

A form of fungus that produces creamy or pasty colonies

Question 26

Mold

Answer 26

Aa form of fungus that produces wooly, fluffy, or powdery growth

Question 27

Candida albicans

Answer 27

A type of fungus (yeast) commonly found on the body that can cause opportunistic infections

Question 28

Histoplasma capsulatum

Answer 28

A type of fungus (mold) that is commonly found in soil and in animal droppings in certain areas of the US. Capable of causing mild to life-threatening infections

Question 29

Protozoans

Answer 29

A large, single-celled microbe found in fresh and salt water, soil, plants, insects, and animals

Question 30

Acanthamoeba

Answer 30

A free-living amoeba, commonly found in water. Can cause keratitis, and is most commonly seen in contact lens wearers with poor hygiene habits

Question 31

Toxosplasma gondii

Answer 31

A Protozoan responsible for Toxoplasmosis infections

Question 32

Toxoplasmosis

Answer 32

A infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii, which can cause lesions in the retina and brain

Question 33

Prions

Answer 33

Extremely small pathologic protein elements responsible for brain disorders that occur in certain animals EX: Mad Cow Disease or Laughing Disease

Question 34

Transmission of Infectious Disease

Answer 34

1) Airborne 2) Direct contact with contaminated individual 3) Indirect contact 4) Common-vehicle Transmission 5) Vector borne

Question 35

Reservoir

Answer 35

An inanimate or animate object that provides a microorganism the means for survival and opportunity for transmission

Question 36

Host

Answer 36

The animal or plant from which a microbe gains nutrients and the conditions necessary for its survival and reproduction

Question 37

Airborne Transmission

Answer 37

The transfer of microbes through a water droplets that have been produced through someone sneezing or coughing

Question 38

Direct-Contact Transmission

Answer 38

The form of infection transmission between people usually requiring body contact, or contact with blood/body fluids EX: Hand shaking

Question 39

Indirect-Contact Transmission

Answer 39

The form of infection transmission involving an intermediate, inanimate object EX: Touching an infected doorknob

Question 40

Common-Vehicle Transmission

Answer 40

The form of infection transmission involving the transfer of infectious microbes from one reservoir to many people EX: Using an eyedrop bottle that has been contaminated on many people

Question 41

Vector-Borne Transmission

Answer 41

The form of infection transmission involving the transfer of infectious microbes from a vector (organism) to another host EX: Rabies

Question 42

Infection Control Precautions

Answer 42

A series of protocols designed to prevent the spread of infection

Question 43

Universal Precautions

Answer 43

An approach to infection control in which all human blood and certain human bodily fluids are treated as if known to be infectious for HIV virus, Hep B virus, or other blood borne pathogens. This approach is based on the concept that a medical history and examination cannot reliably identify all patients infected (or potentially infected) with a blood borne pathogen, so care of all patients should include these precautions. EX: Hand washing, gloves, masks and goggles

Question 44

Standard Precautions

Answer 44

A program of sanitation and microbial control in the medical office, intended to reduce the opportunity for harmful microbes to flourish and threaten patients and medical personnel. Includes universal precautions and body substance isolation precautions.

Question 45

Disinfection

Answer 45

The process of inactivating or eliminating pathogenic microorganisms

Question 46

Germicide

Answer 46

A chemical that kills germs

Question 47

Sterilization

Answer 47

A process that utilizes heat or chemicals to destroy all living or dormant microorganisms

Question 48

Sterilization Methods

Answer 48

Dry heat, Moist heat, and Ethylene Oxide

Question 49

Autoclave

Answer 49

A metal chamber equipped to use steam of gas under high pressure and temperature to destroy microorganisms

Question 50

Aseptic Technique

Answer 50

A range of procedures used in medical environments to prevent the spread of infectious microbes

Question 51

Empiric Treatment

Answer 51

The institution of medical treatment based on probable cause, before test results or time-consuming procedures confirm a diagnosis Any samples or specimens should be collected before beginning treatment, so as not to interfere with test results.