Fundamentals chapter 16 Flashcards
Agent that is capable of killing or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms
Antibiotic
Substance capable of killing or suppressing the multiplication and growth of microorganisms
antimicrobial
Chemical compound used on skin or tissue to eliminate microorganisms
antiseptic
Destruction and/or containment of infectious agents after they leave the body of a patient with an infectious disease
asepsis
Free of microorganisms
aseptic
single celled microorganisms lacking a nucleus, which can reproduce as quickly as every few minutes, depending on conditions
bacteria
To make unclean
contaminate
Dead tissue or foreign matter
debris
Tiny, primitive organisms of the plant kingdom that contain no chlorophyll and reproduce by means of spores; present in soil, air, and water
fungi
Parasitic worms or flukes that belong to the animal kingdom
helminths
Reaction of the body to substances interpreted as non-self
immune response
Biologic response modifier that affects cellular growth
interferon
The practice of reducing the number of organisms present or reducing the risk for transmission of organisms
medical asepsis
Organism only visible with a microscope
microorganism
Any disease-producing organism
pathogen
Items such as gloves, gowns, masks, protective eyewear, and hair covering used to protect the health care team member from infectious organisms
Personal protective equipment
Proteinaceous particles believed to be responsible for transmissible neurodegenerative diseases
prions
One-celled microscopic organisms belonging to the animal kingdom
protozoa
Genus of small, rod-shaped to round microorganisms found in tissue cells of lice, fleas, ticks, and mites and transmitted to humans by their bites
Rickettsia
Precautions that protect both the nurse and patient from infection and are to be used for every patient contact
standard precautions
without pathologic organisms
sterile
The process of rendering an article free of microorganisms and their pathogenic products
Sterilization
The practice of preparing and handling materials in a way that prevents the patient’s exposure to living microorangisms
surgical asepsis
Extremely small particles of nucleic acids, either DNA or RNA, with a coat of protein, and in some cases a membrane envelope, that can trigger an immune reaction or damage cells in other ways
Viruses
___ are responsible for the symptoms seen in diseases such as botulism, tetanus, diphtheria, and Escherichia coli infection
endotoxins
___ are abundant in our environment, and many can cause infection if not controlled
Microorganisms
Pathogens include :
bacteria, viruses, protozoa, rickettsia, fungi, prions, and helminths
What is the most effective way to destroy many kinds of microorganisms?
expose them to moist heat at a high temperature for 15 to 20 minutes