Vocab Flashcards
Antibacterial
directed or effective AGAINST BACTERIA
Antiseptic
Preventing or arresting the growth of microorganisms
Asepsis
The condition of being aseptic
Aseptic technique
Preventing infection
Bacteria
Single-called microorganisms that may lack well walls or are gram-positive or gram-negative
Where can bacterium be found?
Soil, water, organic matter, or the bodies of plants and animals
Blood-born pathogen
A specific causative agent of disease located in the blood (bacterium or virus)
Another word for contagious decease
Communicable disease
Contagious disease
An infectious disease communicable by contact with one who has it, bodily discharge, or an object touched by the patient
Contaminated
To soil, stain, or infect by contact or association
Direct contact
Union or junction of body surfaces
Disinfectant
To free from infection especially by destroying harmful microorganisms
Disinfection
To free from infection especially by destroying harm microorganisms
Fungi (fungus)
Filamentous organisms formerly classified at plants that lack chlorophyll
Examples of fungi
Molds, rusts, mildews, smuts, mushrooms and yeasts
HAIs
Health Care Associated Infections: acquired or occurring in a hospital
Another term for health care associated infections
Nosocomial infection
Infection
An infective agent or material CONTAMINATED WITH AN INFECTIVE AGENT
Isolation
A separation to prevent or limit the direct or indirect transmission of the infectious agent from those who are infected to those who are susceptible
Microorganism
An organism of microscopic or ultra microscopic size
Pathogen
A disease producing microorganisms
Standard precautions
Group of infection prevention practices that apply to ALL patients.
Infectious agent (pathogen)
Disease causing microorganisms
(Pathogen) bacteria
SINGLE CELL microorganisms that multiply rapidly
(Pathogen) viruses
DNA or RNA is encased in a PROTEIN COATING. Viruses can’t produce outside of living host cell
(Pathogen) Protozoa
UNICELLULAR microorganisms that infect the blood, brain, intestines, and other body areas or organs
(Pathogen) fungi
Tiny primitive organisms, that contain no chlorophyll
(Pathogen) helminthes
Parasitic worms or flukes
Reservoir
A place where the pathogen grows. May or may not multiply
Examples of reservoirs
Patient, staff member, animal, food
Portal of exit/ portal of entry
Route where pathogens enter/ exit the body
Portal of exit examples
Blood, skin, mucous membranes, respiratory tract, genitourinary tract, gastrointestinal tract
Portal of entry examples
Break in skin, mucous membrane, mouth, nose, genitourinary tract
Mode of transmission
Infectious agents move from one source to another (touch, airborn,droplets, medical instruments, mosquitos, vermin)
Most frequent source of HAIs and how many types?
Contact. 2 types: direct and indirect
Direct contact
Person to person or physical contact source and susceptible host (fecal, oral)
Indirect contact
Contact with contaminated inanimate object (needles, utensils, hospital equipment)
Vector transmission
Occurs through bite (fleas, ticks, mosquitos)
Droplet infection
When droplets from infected are projected a short distance to the host’s nasal mucosa, mouth, or conjunctiva
Airborne transmission
When infectious particles are dispersed in the air and enters host by inhalation (mist) examples: coughing or sneezing
Most effective barrier to infection
Intact skin
Susceptible host
Person who becomes ill after pathogens enter body (age, weak health, broken skin, surgery, IV, venipuncture)
