Module B: Definitions Flashcards
Aerobic
requires oxygen to survive
Airborne Precautions
a transmission based precaution that prevents spread of harmful germs that travel in the air at a distance, using Standard Precautions, plus a respirator, depending on specific disease.
Anaerobic
does not need oxygen to survive
Aseptic
clean
Bloodborne Pathogens
harmful germs found in human blood and can cause infection and disease
Body Fluids
blood, pus, liquid from sores, urine, stool, tears, spit, droplets from sneezes and coughs, and sputum
Carriers
people who have harmful germs living on or in their body, but are not visibly sick
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
an agency of the federal government that is in charge of the control and prevention of disease, in our country
Chain of Infection
way to explain how infection is passed around from one host to another host by using a picture of a chain
Contact Precautions
a transmission based precaution that prevents spread of harmful germs by direct contact, using Standard Precautions, plus gown and gloves
Direct Contact
mutual touching of two things, people, or organisms which may cause the spread of harmful germs
Droplet Precautions
a transmission based precaution that prevents spread of harmful germs that travel by droplets in the air, using Standard Precautions, plus mask and gloves
Droplets
particles of liquids that are sprayed from the nose or mouth when a person sneezes, coughs, sings, talks, or laughs
Goggles
personal protective equipment used to protect eyes from harmful germs
Gloves
personal protective equipment used to protect skin on hands from harmful germs
Gowns
personal protective equipment used to protect skin and clothes from harmful germs
Hand Hygiene
washing hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rubs
Healthcare-associated infection (HAI)
an infection that a resident gets while staying or living in a a living in a health care setting
Hepatitis B
a disease of the liver caused by a virus
Host
an animal or a person
Indirect Contact
harmful germs spread by an object that has touched body fluids from infected person
Infection
a disease or condition of the body that occurs when harmful germs get into the body and grow in number
Infection Prevention
all of the things that people do to control and prevent the spread of infection
Infectious Agent
a harmful germ that causes an infection
Influenza (flue)
a contagious respiratory illness
Localized Infection
an infection found in one part of the body with symptoms noted that one part of the body
Masks
personal protective equipment used to protect mouth and nose from harmful germs
Medical Asepsis (clean technique)
practice used to remove or destroy germs and to prevent their spread from one person or place to another person or place
Microorganisms
Small living plant or animal that can only be seen with a microscope also called germs that live almost everywhere and may cause problems or diseases
Mode of Transmission
how harmful germs travel or get around from place to place
Mucus Membranes
linings of natural body openings, such as mouth, nose, rectum, genitals, and eyes
Non-Intact Skin
cuts, scratches, and sores of the skin
Non-Pathogen
microorgansim that will not cause illness, infection, or disease
Normal Flora
non-pathogens that live and grow in certain areas that benefit us by maintaining a balance in our environment
Norovirus
a contagious gastrointestinal illness
Outbreak
more illness in more residents than what is expected or what is normal for the facility of a healthcare associated infection
Pathogen
microorgansim that may cause illness, infection, or disease
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
a group of items used to block harmful germs from getting on skin and clothes
Point of care
refers to the place where three (3) elements occur together: the resident, the nurse aide, and the care of treatment involving resident contact; most point of care occurs in resident’s room
Portal of Entry
a body opening of a person that allows harmful germs to enter into the body
Portal of Exit
any way that harmful germs escape from reservoir
Sharps
items that have corners, edges, or projections that can cut of pierce the skin, such as needles and razor blades
Sharps Container (needle disposal container or sharps box)
hard and leak-proof biohazard container used only for sharps
Shields
personal protective equipment used to protect the who face from harmful germs
Sputum
mucous coughed up from lungs
Standard Precautions
the first of 2 levels to prevent/control infections; the basic tasks that health care workers must do in order to prevent and control spread of infection, whereby all body fluids, non-intact skin, and mucus membranes are treated as if they were infected
Susceptible Host
person who does not have an infection now, but is at risk for becoming infected from harmful germs
Systemic Infection
an infection that affects an entire body part of whole body system
Transmission Based Precautions
the second of two levels to prevent/control infections; specific tasks and measures that health care workers must do when caring for residents who are infected or may be infected with specific types of infections
World Health Organization (WHO)
an organization within the United Nations whose purpose is to aid in the achievement of highest level of health for all of the world’s people
