Immunity, Inflammation, and Infection

A set of 50 vocabulary flashcards covering the concepts of immunity, inflammation, systems, and infection management based on the lecture notes.

Skin and mucous membranes

Considered the first line of defense in the body's protective barriers.

Phagocytosis

A process involving the ingestion of bacteria by white blood cells; part of the second line of defense.

Inflammation

A nonspecific body reaction to tissue injury literally meaning 'the fire within.'

Antigen

Substances that provide resistance to invading organisms; triggers for the immune response.

Antibodies

Proteins that enable the body to fight off invaders once they have gained access.

Innate (natural) immunity

Immunity present at birth consisting of physical and chemical barriers and substances that protect and repair tissues.

Acquired immunity

Resistance to invading organisms that is not present at birth; enables fighting invaders after they gain access.

Leukocytes

Colorless white blood cells that are able to phagocytose bacteria that cause infection.

Thymus

One of the primary organs of the immune system involved in the development of leukocytes.

Bone marrow

An organ of the immune system where blood cells, including leukocytes, are produced.

Lymph nodes

Small organs of the immune system that act as filters for foreign particles.

Spleen

An organ involved in the immune system's response to invading organisms.

Liver

One of the organs identified as being involved in the body's immune system.

Hemodynamic changes

The first category of actions in the inflammatory process which includes changes in blood flow.

Increased capillary permeability

An action in the inflammatory process that allows substances to move from blood vessels into tissues.

Prostaglandins

Chemical mediators that help facilitate hemodynamic changes and vascular permeability.

Histamine

A chemical mediator whose release is slowed by cortisol to impede the inflammatory process.

Leukotrienes

Chemical mediators that work alongside histamine and prostaglandins in the inflammatory response.

Cytokines

Chemical mediators involved in helping hemodynamic changes and vascular permeability occur.

Eicosanoids

A class of chemical mediators mentioned as helping the hemodynamic and vascular changes of inflammation.

Kinin System

The system that produces bradykinin to mediate blood vessel dilation and permeability.

Bradykinin

A substance produced by the kinin system that mediates dilation and produces the classic sign of pain.

Complement System

A system important in immunologically mediated reactions involving antigen-antibody complexes.

Cortisol

A hormone produced by the adrenal cortex that slows histamine release and stabilizes lysosomal membranes.

Local inflammation

Produces signs of heat, swelling, redness, pain, and loss of function at the specific site of injury.

Systemic inflammation

Inflammation characterized by fever, headache, muscle aches, chills, sweating, and leukocytosis.

Leukocytosis

An increase in the number of white blood cells; a sign of systemic inflammation.

Heat, swelling, redness, and pain

The four classic manifestations or signs of local inflammation.

Loss of function

The functional result of the four classic signs of local inflammation.

Tissue repair and regeneration

Processes set in motion from the beginning of the inflammatory process to heal the host.

Infection

The invasion by microorganisms, their multiplication, and the resulting tissue damage.

Bacteria

One-celled microorganisms that multiply rapidly and are classified by shape, cluster pattern, and oxygen needs.

Viruses

A type of infectious agent that can cause disease and is sometimes used in bioterrorism.

Fungi

One of the main categories of infectious agents listed as causing infections in susceptible hosts.

Protozoa

A category of microorganisms listed as infectious agents.

Rickettsiae

Specific infectious agents mentioned as a cause of infection.

Helminths

Parasitic organisms classified as infectious agents.

Mycoplasmas

A type of microorganism identified as an infectious agent.

Chain of Infection

A sequence of six factors that must occur in order for infection to be possible.

Causative agent

The first link in the chain of infection.

Reservoir

The second link in the chain of infection where the agent resides.

Portal of exit

The third link in the chain of infection; the route by which the agent leaves the reservoir.

Mode of transfer

The fourth link in the chain of infection describing how the agent moves to a new host.

Portal of entry

The fifth link in the chain of infection; the route by which the agent enters a susceptible host.

Susceptible host

The final link in the chain of infection; an individual at risk of contracting the infection.

Medical Asepsis

The 'clean technique' used to limit the spread of microorganisms.

Surgical Asepsis

The 'sterile technique' used to eliminate microorganisms from objects that contact the patient.

Handwashing

The most effective method to prevent cross-contamination in medical asepsis.

Standard Precautions

Infection control guidelines used for all patients regardless of isolation status when contacting blood or bodily fluids.

Anaphylaxis

A severe allergic reaction most commonly caused by antimicrobials, especially penicillin.