Microbiology Flashcards
What is microbiology?
study of small life forms only detected under a microscope
What are microorganisms?
- small living things
- everywhere in the environment
- can be beneficial
- can be harmful
What should MAs know about micorbiology?
- basic knowledge of cell structure
- ability to distinguish harmless from harmful
- understand which types of pathogens cause disease
- how to prevent and spread diseases
- education patient about disease
What are non-pathogens?
- can’t cause disease under normal conditions
What is normal flora?
bacteria that lives in and on the body that assists systems stay in homeostasis
- can cause infection if they invade other body areas or overgrow
Where are non-pathogens found?
- oral cavities
- GI tract
- on skin
- genital areas
What microorganism is found in the GI tract?
Lactobacillus acidophilus
How can microorganisms cause disease?
- use nutrients needed by the cells and tissues they invade
- damage body cells by reproducing themselves within cells
- make body cells that target the body’s own defenses
- produce cell and tissue-damaging toxins or poisons
- remain localized or may travel throughout the body, damaging or killing cells and tissues
What acts as a barrier for microorganisms?
- resident normal flora
- intact skin
- mucous membranes
What does means of transmission mean?
how the pathogen spreads to a host
What are examples of transmission?
- airborne
- droplet
- bloodborne
- foodborne
- fecal to oral
- mucus membranes
- vector-borne
- direct contact
- fomites (indirect contact)
What is the cycle of infection?
- means of transmission
- means of entrance
- susceptible host
- reservoir host
- means of exit
- means of transmission
- repeats
What is medical asepsis?
- maintain strict housekeeping standards
- adheres to government guidelines
What is hand hygiene?
- common means of transmitting pathogens via touch
- most important aseptic procedure that can break the cycle of infection
When should MAs wash hands?
- start of shift
- before/after eating
- before/after bathroom
- before/after smoking/vaping
- when hands are clearly dirty
What is the criteria for hand sanitizer?
at least 60% alcohol
What is bacteria?
- single cell microorganisms
- can survive without living tissues
- have various classification and shapes
What does aerobic mean?
bacteria that needs air to grow and multiply
What does anaerobic mean?
bacteria that can grow and multiply without air
What is rickettsiae?
- live and grow only inside other living things (vectors)
- acquired from insect bites
What are vectors?
animals that carry bacteria
- person infected from bites
What are diseases from ticks?
- rocky mountain spotted fever
- lyme disease
What are diseases from dogs/bats?
rabies
What are diseases from mosquitoes?
- encephalitis
- malaria
What are the common bacteria shapes?
- coccus
- spirillum
- vibrio
- bacillus
What is the pathogen and transmission for whooping cough?
bordetella pertussis
- airborne
What is the pathogen and transmission for chlamydia?
chlamydia trachomatis
- sexual
What is the pathogen and transmission for tetanus?
clostridium tetani
- deep wounds
What is the pathogen and transmission for diphtheria?
corynebacterium diphtheriae
- droplet
What is the pathogen and transmission for meningitis?
group b streptococcus
- droplet
What is the pathogen and transmission for peptic ulcer disease?
helicobacter pylori
- fecal to oral, oral to anal
What is the pathogen and transmission for tuberculosis?
mycobacterium tuberculosis
- airborne/droplet