Week Three Glossary Terms Flashcards
Antiseptic
A chemical agent (dilute solution of chemical disinfectant) that inhibits microbial growth. Used on the living tissue prior to invasive procedures (non-toxic)
Asepsis
Free of microorganisms; Medical (clean) or Surgical (sterile)
Aseptic / Sterile
Free of any living microorganisms
Bacterial Agent
One which kills bacteria
Bacteriostatic Agent
One which inhibits the growth of bacteria
Biocidal
Kills all forms of life
Bacillus
Rod-shaped bacterium
Coccus
Spherical shaped bacterium
Clean
equipment - referring to that which has been sterilized, but is not packaged to preserve sterility
technique - referring to a procedure or method that prevents the spread of microorganisms from one place to another
Contaminated
That which has been rendered unsterile or unclean; opposite of sterile; one or more micro-organisms are present
Disinfectant
A toxic chemical agent used to kill microorganisms on inanimate surfaces (i.e. countertops, floors)
Disinfection
A process whereby the vegetative cells of infectious microorganisms may be destroyed or rendered non-functional.
Since a disinfectant may or may not be capable of killing any or all of the following: bacterial spores, fungi and their spores, viruses or Mycobacterium tuberculosis, sterilization cannot be considered to have occurred
Drape
A sterile cloth or paper (usually green) of varying sizes and shapes, used to create and demarcate the sterile field
Envelope Wrap
A standard type of packaging of some sterile items. IT involves four flaps, with the flap corners folded back to provide handles for aseptic opening
Fungicidal
Kills fungi
