week 2 infection control Flashcards
what is an infection
is the invasion and multiplication of microorganisms in body tissues which may be unapparent or the result of local cellular injury
categories of pathogens
parasitic or protozoal infections
fungal infections
bacterial infections
viral infection
what are some descriptors of infections
endemic infection
epidemic infection
pandemic infection
what is the chain of infection
pathogen susceptible host reservoir portal of exit mode of transmission portal of entry
consequence of uncontrolled infection
septic shock
multi system failure
death
who are at greater risk for infection
very young
poor
residents of geographic areas where an infection is prevalent
what is the most common infection screening
STI
tuberculosis
what is symptomatic
if pathogens multiply and cause clinical signs and symptoms
what is asymptomatic
if clinical signs an symptoms are not present the illness
what is the most important technique in preventing and controlling transmission of infection
hand hygiene
what is immunocompromised
means having an impaired immune system
what is virulence
is the ability to produce disease
what is aerobic bacteria
require oxygen for survival and for multiplication sufficient to cause disease
what is anaerobic bacteria
thrive where little or no free oxygen is available
what is bacteriostasis
prevention of growth and reproduction of bacteria
what is bactericidal
destructive to bacteria
what are the 4 stages of infectious process
incubation period
prodromal stage
illness stage
convalescence
what does normal flora of the body help with
to resist infection by releasing antibacterial substance and inhibiting multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms
who are at greater risk of HAI
multiple ilnesses
older adults
poorly nourished
lowered resistance to infection
what is iatrogenic
health care associated infection from a procedure
what is exogenous
health care associated infection from microorganisms outside the individual
what is endogenous
health care associated infection when the patients flora becomes altered and an overgrowth results
what are the major sites for HAI infections
surgical or traumatic wounds
urinary and respiratory tracts
bloodstream
what is asepsis
absence of pathogenic microorganisms
what is aseptic technique
practices/procedures that assist in reducing the risk for infection
what is medical asepsis
includes procedures for reducing the # of organisms present and preventing the transfer of organism
what is surgical asepsis
prevents contamination of an open wound, serves to isolate the operative area from the unsterile environment, and maintains a sterile field for surgery
what is disinfection
a process that eliminates many or all microorganisms with the exception of bacterial spores, from inamimate objects
what is sterilization
the complete elimination or destruction of all microorganisms including spores
