Module 6 Terminology Flashcards
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
a deficiency of cellular immunity induced by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1)
Airborne precautions
measures used for diseases that remain infectious over long distances when suspended in the air; require single-patient room that is equipped with special air handling and ventilation capacity
asepsis
the absence of disease-causing organisms
athlete’s foot
fungal infection of the foot, especially between the toes, causing redness, peeling, and cracking
bacteria
most common microorganism causing disease; not all bacteria produce diseases
barriers
items which prevent transmission of microorganisms from the worker to the resident or from the resident to the worker; actions to prevent the transmission of information; blocking access
biohazard symbol
identification for contaminated item containers; the background is red or orange and the symbol is black
blood-borne (pathogens)
pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, hep B virus (HBV), and HIV
carrier (spore)
a person who has an infectious agent in their body but does not exhibit symptoms
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
an agency of the federal government that researches and makes recommendations to prevent disease and control the spread of infection
chain of infection
a series of related events required for the transmission and development of an infectious disease
communicable
capable of being transferred from one person to another by direct or indirect contact
contact precautions
measure used to prevent transmission of infectious agents which are spread by direct or indirect contact with the patient or the patient’s environment
contagious microbes (contagious disease?)
also known as communicable disease; an infectious disease resulting from the presence of pathogenic microbial agents; can be spread from person to person or one species to another
contamination
a condition of being unclean or soiled with pathogens making an object unsafe for use
disinfection
a process using chemicals to kill or slow growth of pathogenic organisms
disorientation
loss of the ability to recognize time, place and/or people
disposable
made to be used once and then thrown away
droplet precautions
measures used to prevent transmission of pathogens spread through close respiratory or mucous membrane contact with respiratory secretions; mask is required
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
an agency of the federal government of the USA charged to regulate chemicals and protect human health by safeguarding the natural environment
Escherichia coli (E. coli)
excretions
process of eliminating substances through skin, kidneys, or intestines
exposure incident
direct contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials including body fluids
flora
the normal, usually non-harmful microorganisms found in a particular area of the body such as E. coli in the large intestine
fungus
a class of microorganisms to which mold and yeast belong
Health Care-Associated Infection (HAI)
Hepatitis A, B, C, D, E
viruses that causes different forms of infectious liver disease
Herpes zoster
contagious viral infection that appears along nerve tracts; caused by reactivation of the virus causing chicken pox; also called shingles
host
animal or plant that harbors and nourishes another organism
immunity
resistance of an organism to infection, disease, or other unwanted biological invasion
infection
multiplication of invasive pathogenic microorganism in the body causing disease
infectious agent
microorganism capable of causing disease
influenza
highly contagious acute infection of the respiratory tract spread by airborne droplets
isolation
separation of a resident from other residents; may be required when infection is present
lice
a common parasite of the skin and hair
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
a pathogenic organism highly resistant to most antibiotics, particularly methicillin
microorganisms
organism that can only be seen with a microscope
nausea
a sensation often leading to the urge to vomit
non-intact
broken, cut, cracked, or chapped
noscomial
infections that occur at least 72 hours after admission to a care facility; also called hospital-acquired infection
pathogens
disease producing microorganisms
personal protective equipment (PPE)
equipment such as waterproof gowns, masks, gloves and goggles needed to protect an employee from infectious materials
pneumonia
inflammation of the lungs usually caused by infection
precautions
measures taken to prevent spread of disease or protect from injury
protozoa
reservoir
the place where infectious organisms live and reproduce
reverse isolation
a method to prevent a resident in a compromised health situation from being contaminated by other people or objects
rickettsia
scabies
communicable skin condition caused by a mite and transmitted by close contact with an infected source
sepsis
a serious medical condition characterized by a whole-body inflammatory state usually caused by infection
standard precautions
practices developed by the CDC used will all residents to prevent or reduce the spread of microorganisms
sterilization
a process that destroys all microorganisms
streptococcus
a bacteria capable of causing infection in body tissues
transmission-based (precautions)
isolation procedures used in addition to standard precautions that prevent the spread of infection by interrupting the way in which microorganisms are spread
tuberculosis
a communicable lung infection easily spread by sneezing and coughing
Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE)
intestinal microorganism resistant to most antibiotics, in particular Vancomycin
virus
the smallest disease causing microbe; it depends on the invaded host for reproduction
