Foundations- Hygiene and infection control

Surgical asepsis

Sterile technique to prevent infection of a surgical wound that includes procedures to prohibit the presence of pathogens from the client, medical personnel, equipment, and surgical environment

Medical asepsis

Practices and procedures to reduce the risk of infection, including, but not limited to hand hygiene, environmental cleaning, and barrier techniques

Personal protective equipment

Devices used to protect employees from workplace injuries or illnesses resulting from biological, chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, or other workplace hazards

Standard precautions

standard precautions include a group of infection prevention practices that apply to all clients, regardless of suspected or confirmed infection status, in any setting in which health care is delivered. theses includes hand hygiene and the use of gloves, gown, mask, eye protection, or face shield

Airborne Precautions

measures taken to prevent the spread of disease transmitted by small respiratory droplets from an infected person

Transmission-based precautions

measures taken in addition to standard precautions to interrupt transmission of pathogens from clients who may be infected or colonized with certain infectious agents; specifically, airborne droplet, and contact precautions

Isolation precautions

isolation precautions comprise standard, contact airborne, and droplet precautions in addition to protective environments for immunocompromised clients, the goal is to eliminate or reduce infection transmission from one person to another

Contact precautions

measures taken to prevent the spread of diseases transmitted by the physical transfer of pathogens via direct or indirect contact

droplet precautions

measures taken to prevent the spread of disease transmitted by small respiratory droplets from an infected person

Aseptic technique

Techniques and measures used to keep a person, object, or area free from contamination by pathogens

Circulating nurse

a nurse who assist before, during, and after surgery to promote client safety. duties include positioning the client and equipment, obtaining additional supplies, and adjusting lighting as needed

Antimicrobial agent

agent that destroys or prevents the multiplication and growth of microbes and pathogens

Subungual area

space under a fingernail or toenail, including the free edge

neuropathy

any condition resulting from disease or damage to the peripheral or autonomic nervous system that results in loss of signal or errors in signals between the peripheral nerve and the central nervous system

excoriation

skin abrasion that may be caused by scratching, trauma, or chemicals

Fowler’s

Position with head of the bed raised between 45 and 60 degrees

Semi-Fowler’s

Position with the head of the bed raised between 15 and 45 degrees usually about 30 degrees

Gingivitis

inflammation of the gums

periodontitis

Inflammation or degeneration of the tissues surrounding the teeth

halitosis

bad breath