General, Growth, & Infection Process

Question 1

Define: asepsis

Answer 1

Asepsis: free from infection or pathogens

Question 2

Define: medical asepsis

Answer 2

Medical asepsis: an object or area is clean and free from infection, and though non-pathogens may still be present, pathogens are eliminated

Question 3

Define: microorganisms

Answer 3

Microorganisms: tiny, living animals or plants that cannot be seen by the naked eye

Question 4

List 5 kinds of microorganisms. (5)

Answer 4

1. Bacteria
2. Viruses
3. Protozoa
4. Fungi
5. Animal parasites

Question 5

Differentiate between autotrophs and heterotrophs. (2)

Answer 5

1. Autotrophs → feed on inorganic or non-living substances

2. Heterotrophs → feed on organic or living substances

Question 6

Differentiate between aerobes and anaerobes. (2)

Answer 6

1. Aerobes → need oxygen

2. Anaerobes → do not need oxygen

Question 7

What temperature do most microorganisms like to grow at?

Answer 7

37C/98F → human body temperature

Question 8

What pH do most organisms require?

Answer 8

pH = 7.0

Question 9

What does it mean when a disease is “communicable”?

Answer 9

Communicable disease → infection that may spread from person to person

Question 10

How does a “nosocomial or iatrogenic infection” come on?

Answer 10

Nosocomial or iatrogenic infection → occurs from contact with other infected patients, employees, visitors, or contaminated equipment

Question 11

What are the six factors for a microorganism’s survival? (6)

Answer 11

1. Proper nutrition
2. Level of oxygen
3. Optimum temperature
4. Level of light or darkness
5. Moisture
6. pH

Question 12

List the 5 stages in the infection chain/cycle. (5)

Answer 12

1. Reservoir host
2. Means of exit
3. Means of transmission
4. Means of entry
5. Susceptible host

Question 13

What are 2 sources of infections (reservoir hosts)? (2)

Answer 13

1. People and other living beings

2. Contaminated objects

Question 14

List 6 means of exit. (6)

Answer 14

1. Mouth
2. Nose
3. Throat
   4, Ears
   5, Eyes
4. Wounds

Question 15

List the 3 main means of transmission, and 2 lesser means of transmission. (5)

Answer 15

1. Inhalation
2. Ingestion
3. Absorption
4. Percutaneous exposure (injections, bites, breaking through the skin)
5. Permucosal contact (through mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, eyes, aerosols, and using contaminated hands to rub eyes)

Question 16

List 6 means of entry. (6)

Answer 16

1. Mouth
2. Nose
3. Throat
   4, Ears
   5, Eyes
4. Wounds

Question 17

Who is a susceptible host?

Answer 17

ANYONE

Question 18

What are 3 factors determining a host’s susceptibility?

Answer 18

1. Age
2. Health
3. Immune status

Question 19

How do you reduce a host’s susceptibility? (3)

Answer 19

1. Maintain good physical and mental health → good nutrition, sleep, exercise, etc
2. Learn to manage stress → workshops, seminars, literature, etc
3. Immunizations → keep them up to date

Question 20

How do you break the chain of infection? (3)

Answer 20

1. Stop the infection at the source (eg. wash hands)
2. Eliminate the means of transmission (eg. stay home, don’t touch others)
3. Reduce susceptibility of a potential host