MEDICAL TERMS Flashcards
biosecurity
set of measures to prevent introduction and spread of
infectious diseases
asepsis
absence of microorganisms that cause disease
aseptic technique
method to prevent contamination by
microorganisms
antisepsis
exclusion, destruction, or inhibition of growth or
multiplication of microorganisms from body tissues and fluids
antiseptics
chemical compounds inhibiting growth of
microorganisms without necessarily killing them
sterile
free of living organisms
to sterile
to make an object sterile (destroying bacteria, viruses, fungi,
protozoa)
sterile technique
method by which contamination with microorganisms is
prevented to maintain sterility throughout surgical procedure
-To prevent transmission of microorganisms into body during
invasive procedures
disinfection
chemical or mechanical destruction of pathogens
decontamination
cleaning and disinfecting or sterilizing processes carried out to make contaminated items safe to handle
infection
- Invasion and multiplication of microorganisms (e.g. bacteria, viruses,
parasites) that are not normally present at the site - Potentially devastating and challenging complication of surgery
- In hospital settings, transmission of microorganisms is most
commonly contact-related - All possible measures should be taken to reduce risk of iatrogenic
infection
draping
- Creating and maintaining sterile field around operative site with
nonabsorbant towels - Performed by gowned and gloved team member when antiseptics
have dried - One at a time
- Drapes should not be flipped or shaken
- Once placed, should not be readjusted
- After the animal and nearby nonsterile surfaces have been covered
with sterile drapes, instrument tray can be arranged, and surgery
can begin
hemorrhage
=(bleeding) – an abnormal escape of blood from an
artery, a vein, an arteriole, a venule or a capillary network
- Caused by traumatic injury/medical condition
- External/internal
- Primary hemorrhage occurs soon after an injury
- Secondary hemorrhage follows an injury after a considerable lapse of
time - Arterial/venous/capillary/parenchymatous
surgical site infection (SSI)
- Infections that directly result from surgical procedures
- Incisional (actual site of incision)
- Superficial (skin and subcutaneous tissue)
- Deep (deep soft tissue layers [muscle, fascia])
- Organ/space (infection of an anatomic part that was manipulated)
- Infection occurs within 30 days of the surgical procedure or within 1
year if associated with surgical implant - ‘’Nothing spoils a good result as quickly as follow-up“
implants
foreign substances used to support, rebuild or mimic function of
an anatomic structure
biofilm
colony of microorganisms, within a matrix of extracellular
polymeric substance that they produce (biofilm microorganisms usually
resistant to AB)
1.prophylactic /
2. therapeutic use of antibiotics
- Prophylactic use (prevention)
- Significant risk of infection
- Infection would be catastrophic - Therapeutic use (infection is allready present)
- Ideally based on culture and susceptibility results
- Delay might be problematic
wound
=injury to the body that results in disruption of the continuity
of the body structure
* Can be classified in several ways (clean, contaminated etc.)
* The main principles of wound healing are the same for all types
- Open wound (surgical incision)
- Closed wound (hematoma)
dead space and drainage
- Dead space =resulting from suturing of large wounds promotes fluid
accumulation, which is a good medium for growth of bacteria - Drainage= used in moderate contamination or large dead space
-Passive drains (Penrose drain)
* Easier to insert, cost less
* Draining under gravity
* Risk of ascending infection
- Active drains
- Creation of a vacuum that removes fluid by suction
- Can be placed anywhere on the body
- Containers need to be emptied regularly
> Removal as soon as possible (usually 2-4 days)
debridement
- In case of debris or necrotic tissue
- Anaesthesia often required
- Objective to convert the open contaminated wound into a surgically
clean wound - Different methods (choice depends on the patient): surgical,
mechanical, autolytic, enzymatic, chemical, biosurgical - More than one procedure may be necessary
nosocomial infections
= caused by environmentally resistant bacteria
during hospitalization/surgery
- Risk factors:
- Overuse of antibiotics
- Indwelling catheters
- Diagnostic procedures
- Advanced age
- Chronic debilitating disease
- Prevention – control of the hospital
environment, rational AB use
flail chest
‘’paradoxical“ movement of a floating thoracic segment
* Diagnosis: physical examination
* Treatment: mostly conservative, surgery sometimes indicated
ribs move out even when breathing in
