Medical Handwashing Flashcards
The scrubbing of hands thoroughly to remove dirt and microorganisms
Handwashing
Invasion and growth of microorganisms in the body
Infection
Infection acquired in the hospital setting
Nosocomial Infection
Touching a clean or sterile surface with unsterile object that might contain pathogenic microorganisms
Contaminate
The state of being free from disease causing microorganisms
Asepsis
Microorganisms or infectious agent capable of producing a disease
Pathogens
A substance that stops or slows down the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses,and fungi on the skin surface (alcohol, hand sanitizer, betadine solution)
Antiseptic
Chemicals that kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi on nonliving surfaces(lysol, muriatic acid, chlorine)
Disinfectant
The infection control practice used to prevent contamination and transmission of microorganisms
Aseptic technique
Use practices to reduce the number, growth and spread of the microorganisms on the hands, referred to as the clean technique
Medical handwashing
A surgical hand scrub is done to remove microorganisms from the hands as possible before a sterile procedure, also called sterile technique
Surgical handwashing
Purposes of medical handwashing
To reduce the number of microorganisms on the hands
To reduce the risk of transmission of microorganisms to clients
To reduce the risk of cross contamination among clients
To reduce the risk of transmission of infectious organisms to oneself
Chain of infection
How germs get in
Next sick person
Germs
Where germs live
How germs get out
Germs get around
How germs get in
Mouth
Cuts in the skin
Eyes
Next sick person
Babies, children, elderly, people with a weakened immune system, unimmunized people, anyone
Germs
Bacteria, Viruses, Parasites
Where germs live
People, animals/pets, wild animals, food, soil, water
How germs get out
Mouth, cuts in the skin, during diapering and toileting stool
Germs get around
Contact(hands, toy, sand), Droplets(speak,sneeze,cough)
An infection that affects only one body part or organ-signs of infection: redness, tenderness, swelling/inflammation, pain and loss of function of affected part
Localized
Sepsis, is an infection that affects the entire body and involves multiple organs
Systemic
The time from exposure to an infectious agent until the onset of symptoms, the exact time frame of incubation depends on the causative agent
Incubation period
Refers to the period after incubation and before the characteristic symptoms of infection occur, during this period the infections agent continues to invade and multiply in the host. A client may also be infectious to other persons at this time
Prodromal stage
When the client is manifesting specific symptoms of an infectious process
Illness stage
