Nosocomial Infections and Infection Control Glossary

Vocabulary flashcards defining essential terminology related to nosocomial infections, pathogens, immunology, and infection control in health care facilities.

Acid-fast bacillus (AFB)

A type of bacillus that resists decolorizing by acid after accepting a stain.

Amebiasis

A protozoal infection transmitted by food or water contaminated with human feces that primarily affects the colon, but also the liver and other sites.

Amniotic fluid

A liquid produced by the fetal membranes and the fetus during pregnancy.

Angiography

The radiographic visualization of the internal anatomy of the heart and blood vessels after administration of a contrast agent.

Anorexia

Lack or loss of appetite resulting in the inability to eat.

Antigen

Any substance eliciting an immunological response, such as production of an antibody specific for that substance.

Antimicrobial

A type of agent that kills or inhibits the growth or replication of microorganisms.

Antiseptic

Any substance that inhibits the growth of bacteria.

Asepsis

Freedom from infectious material.

Asymptomatic

Exhibiting or producing no symptoms.

Autoimmune

A condition in which an immune response is directed against constituents of an organism's own body.

Body fluid

Any fluid produced by the human body.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

A basic emergency procedure for life support that consists of artificial respiration and manual external cardiac massage.

Cerebrospinal fluid

The fluid that flows through and protects the four ventricles of the brain, the subarachnoid space, and the spinal canal.

Ciliate

Of or having cilia; a cell having hairlike projections on its surface.

Cyst wall

An abnormal sac formed by microorganisms when they are inactive or dormant that may serve as a reproductive structure.

Cytotoxic drugs

Chemical substances used to destroy or prevent multiplication of particular cells; used in treatment of cancer.

Dementia

Deterioration or loss of intellectual faculties, reasoning power, memory, and will, due to organic brain disease.

Disinfectant

An agent that destroys or inhibits the microorganism causing disease.

Dormant

Concealed, inactive potential.

Enteric

Pertaining to the intestine.

Enzymes

Proteins produced by living cells that assist in chemical actions on organic matter; present in all living organisms.

Epidemic

A disease that is widespread and rapidly affects a great number of people in one location.

Etiology

The causes of a disease.

Exudate

Types of fluid, cell, or other substance with a high content of cellular material from blood vessels.

Fatigue

A state of exhaustion, or a loss of strength or endurance.

Flagella

Whiplike projections on protozoa, whose movements propel the organism.

Flora

Plant life adapted for living in a specific environment; may be microscopic in size.

Fomes

(Plural, fomites) An inanimate object that may be contaminated with infectious organisms and thus serves to transmit disease.

Ganglion

A knot or knotlike mass; in neurology designates a group of nerve cell bodies.

Gastrointestinal

Pertaining to the stomach and intestines.

Germicide

Substance that kills bacteria on contact.

Helminth

A class of parasitic worms.

Hemophilia

A group of hereditary bleeding disorders in which there is a deficiency of one of the factors necessary for blood to coagulate, or clot.

Heterosexual

Sexual orientation toward the opposite sex.

Histamine

A compound found in all cells produced by the breakdown of histidine; functions to dilate capillaries, to constrict bronchial smooth muscles, and to induce gastric secretion.

Host

An organism in which another, usually parasitic, organism is nourished and harbored.

Interferon

A protein formed by animal cells in the presence of a virus that prevents viral reproduction.

Latent phase

When disease is not manifesting symptoms.

Lipoprotein

A protein in which lipids (substances insoluble in water) form an integral part of the molecule.

Lymphocyte

A leukocyte (white blood cell) that participates in humoral and cell-mediated immunity.

Lysis

Disintegration or dissolution, as of cells, bacteria, or tissue.

Malaise

A feeling of bodily weakness or discomfort that often proceeds illness.

Metabolic rate

The amount of energy liberated or expended in a given period of time.

Microbe

A microorganism.

Microorganism

A microscopic, living plant or animal.

Mucous membrane

Any one of four kinds of thin sheets of protective tissue that cover or line various parts of the body.

Neuropathy

Any disease affecting neurons.

Nosocomial

Infections acquired while receiving medical care.

Parasite

An organism that spends part of its existence on or in another organism, its host, at whose expense it obtains nourishment and is able to survive.

Pathogenic

Capable of producing a disease.

Pericardial

Referring to the sac that surrounds the heart and the roots of the great vessels of the heart.

Peristalsis

Progressive wave of contractions seen in tubes, such as gastric intestinal tract, that provide the means by which contents of the tube are forced toward an opening.

Phagocyte

A cell that is able to surround, engulf, and digest microorganisms and cellular debris.

Prostaglandins

One of several potent, hormone-like, unsaturated fatty acids that act to stimulate uterine and other smooth muscle contractility, to lower blood pressure, and to effect action of hormones in the body.

Protozoa

Broad, basic classification of unicellular animals.

Pseudopod

Protruding process of protozoa used for purpose of movement and obtaining nourishment.

Purulent

Producing or containing pus.

Replicate

To repeat, duplicate, or reproduce.

Resistance

The means by which the body defends itself against invasion by infectious organisms and their toxic byproducts.

Serum

Any serous fluid (the clear portion of any animal liquid).

Staphylococcal infection

An infection caused by a pathogenic species of staphylococci, commonly characterized by formation of abscesses of the skin or other body organs.

Synovial fluid

A transparent, viscous fluid secreted by the synovial membranes that acts as a lubricant for many joints, bursae, and tendons.

Transmission

Transfer of disease from one person to another.

Tuberculosis

A chronic, granulomatous infection caused by an acid-fast bacillus that affects the lungs or other body organs.

Universal precautions

A widespread set of procedures and regulations instituted for the safe handling and disposal of blood and body substances.

Vector

An agent that carries microorganisms from an infected person to another, previously uninfected person.

Vegetative

Inactive.

Vehicle

A transporting agent.

Virulence

The disease-producing power of a microorganism.

Virus

Minute microorganism that cannot be seen under an ordinary microscope.