CMA - CH 9 Key Terms - Infection Control and Medical Asepsis Flashcards
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
disorder of the immune system caused by HIV, a retrovirus that destroys the body’s ability to fight infection. As the disease progresses, the individual becomes overcome by disorders, including cancers and opportunistic infections. No known cure.
aerobic
organism that requires O2 for survival and growth.
airborne transmission
spread of disease causing microorganisms through the air.
amoebic dysentery
infectious intestinal disease caused by amoebas and characterized by inflammation of the mucous membrane of the colon.
anaerobic
organism that needs little or no O2 for survival/growth.
antibodies
specific chemicals produced by B cells of the immune system in response to an antigen.
aseptic
freedom from any infectious material; absence of microorganisms.
bacilli
one of the three classifications of bacteria; rod shaped.
barriers
obstacles that exist to protect an individual from contact with blood or other potentially infected materials. Called personal protective equipment (PPE), includes gloves, masks, face shields, laboratory coats, protective eyewear, and gowns.
bloodborne pathogen
microorganism capable of disease and found in blood or components of blood.
carrier
person who harbors a pathogenic organism and who is capable of transmitting the organism to others.
caustic
corrosive and burning; destructive to living tissue.
cell-mediated immunity
the regulatory activity of T cells during the specific immune response
chlamydiae
obligate intracellular parasites that are totally dependent on the host cell for energy.
cocci
bacteria that are round, spherical, oval, or ovoid in shape.
communicable
contagious; Capable of being transmitted from one person to another either directly or indirectly.
Contact Precautions
x
contact transmission
spread of disease-causing microorganisms by directly or indirectly touching the source of the infection or by touching an object or environmental surface.
contracting
acquiring an infection from pathogens
coryza
inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose due to an allergic reaction such as hay fever, or a cold.
debris
remains of broken down or damaged cells or tissues.
declination form
x
droplet transmission
method of spreading disease from respiratory secretions through the air. Spread is usually confined to within 3 feet of infected patient.
epidemic
an infectious disease that attacks many persons at the same time in the same location.
epidemiology
field of science that studies the history, cause, and patterns of infectious disease.
excoriated
scratches or superficial abrasions on the skin.
fomites
substance that absorbs and transmits infectious material; IE: contaminated equipment.
genotypes
genetic constitution of an organism (DNA sequence)
gross contamination
highly infectious material present
helminths
a general term meaning worms
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
virus causing AIDS; it is a retrovirus that ultimately destroys immune system cells.
humoral immunity
immunity mediated by antibodies in the body fluids such as plasma and lymph.
immune system
body’s strong line of defense against invading microorganisms. The body recognizes foreign substances such as microorganisms and produces substances to fight them off. Antibodies, white blood cells, digestive enzymes, and resistance of the skin are some examples.
immunoglobulins
family of proteins capable of acting as antibodies, thereby protecting individuals from pathogenic microorganisms; also, antibodies produced by the cells of the immune response system.
immunomodulators
substance that has the ability to change immune responses.
immunosuppressed
refers to a patient whose immune system is unhealthy because of disease, medication, and/or genetics; these patients can be particularly susceptible to attack by microorganisms
infection control
methods to eliminate or reduce transmission of infectious microorganisms
infectious agents
pathogens responsible for a specific infectious disease
imflammatory response
body’s defense against the threat of infection or trauma. Characterized by redness, pain, heat, and swelling.
intracellular
inside the cell; located or occurring inside the cell.
isolation
separating a patient with certain infections or communicable diseases from other individuals
isolation categories
system of 7 categories developed by the CDC that isolates patients according to known infections. These have been condensed into three Transmission-Based Precautions based on air, contact, and droplet routes of transmission.
lymphadenopathy
chronic enlargement or swelling of the lymph notes due to a disease process.
malaise
discomfort, uneasiness, or indisposition, often indicative of infection.
malaria
acute infectious disease caused by the presence of protozoan parasites within the red blood cells; usually comes from the bite of a female mosquito.
medical asepsis
clean and free from infection.
microorganisms
living creatures capable of transmission and reproduction in specific circumstances.
morbidity
number of cases of a disease in a specific population
mortality
the ratio of a number of deaths to a given population
normal flora
microorganisms that are normally present in a specific site
nosocomial
infection acquired in a health care setting
one-handed technique
scooping technique for covering a dirty needle with it’s cover using only one hand, therefore decreasing risk of needle stick in absence of biohazard container.
opportunistic infections
infection that results from a deficient immune system that cannot defend itself from pathogens normally found in the environment.
palliative
refers to measures taken to relieve symptoms of disease.
parenteral
injection of a liquid substance into the body via a route other than the alimentary canal.
pathogens
disease causing microorganisms
protozoa
one-celled animal divided into four groups: amoebae, flagellates, ciliates, and coccidia.
pruritus
itchiness
regulated waste
any waste that contains infectious material that would pose a threat due to possible transmission of pathogenic microorganisms
resistance
ability of immune system to resist or withstand an infectious disease.
rickettsiae
intracellular parasiticsmallnonmotive bacteria
secretions
substance produced by the cells of glandular organs from materials in the blood
severe acute respiratory syndrome
viral outbreak of a respiratory illness first reported in Asia in 2003; spread by close person-to-person contact and characterized by fever and respiratory symptoms.;
sharps
needles, scalpels, and other sharp instruments that are capable of causing a penetrating or puncture wound of the skin.
solvent
producing a solution, dissolving.
spill kits
x
sputum
substance from the respiratory tract expelled by coughing.
Standard Precautions
guidelines recommended by the CDC to prevent the spread of microorganisms through direct or indirect contact. Contact precautions included donning of gown, gloves, and mask if there is to be contact with the patient or prolonged contact with their environment. This is in addition to Standard Precautions.
Transmission-Based Precautions
second tier of CDC guidelines that applies to specific categories of patients and that includes air, contact, and droplet precautions. Always used in addition to Standard Precautions.
trichomoniasis
infestation with a Trichomonas parasite, which may be transmitted through sexual intercourse.
ultrasonic cleaner
machine that uses the energy of high-frequency sound waves that agitate to sanitize instruments before sterilization.
Universal Precautions
guidelines established by the CDC to protect health care workers from infectious disease.
vaccines
pharmacological agents capable of producing artificial active immunity.
vector
a carrier of disease, usually an insect, that is the causative organism of disease from infected to noninfected individuals.
virulence
an organisms relative power and degree of pathogenicity.
