Chapter 6: Infection Prevention and Control

Vocabulary flashcards covering key infection prevention and control terms from the lecture notes.

Antimicrobial

An agent that destroys, resists, or prevents the development of pathogens.

Autoclave

An appliance that sterilizes medical instruments or other objects using steam under pressure.

Bloodborne Pathogens

Infectious microorganisms found in human blood and other body fluids that can cause disease.

Bloodborne Pathogen Standard

Federal law requiring healthcare facilities to protect employees from bloodborne health hazards.

Body Fluids

Tears, saliva, sputum, urine, feces, semen, vaginal secretions, pus or wound drainage, and vomit.

Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE)

Enterobacteriaceae bacteria that have developed resistance to carbapenem antibiotics.

Carrier

A person who harbors a pathogen without signs or symptoms but can transmit the disease.

Catheter

A tube inserted through the skin or into a body opening to administer or drain fluid.

C. difficile (C. diff)

Spore-forming bacterium spread in feces; causes diarrhea, nausea, and potentially severe colitis.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Federal agency responsible for improving the overall health and safety of people in the United States.

Clean (Healthcare)

Condition in which an object is not contaminated with pathogens.

Communicable Disease

Infectious disease transmissible by direct or indirect contact.

Contagious Disease

Type of communicable disease that spreads quickly from person to person.

Contaminated

Soiled, unclean; having disease-causing organisms or infectious material on it.

Cross-Infection

Transfer of harmful bacteria from one person, object, or place to another, or within the body.

Dehydration

Excessive loss of water from the body when fluid loss exceeds fluid intake.

Direct Contact

Transmission of pathogens via touching the infected person or their secretions.

Dirty (Healthcare)

Condition in which an object has been contaminated with pathogens.

Disinfection

Process that destroys most, but not all, pathogens and other microorganisms.

Doff

To remove (e.g., PPE).

Don

To put on (e.g., PPE).

Drainage

Flow of fluids from a wound or body cavity.

Exposure Control Plan

Written plan outlining work practices to prevent exposure to infectious material and steps to follow if exposure occurs.

Exposure Incident

Specific contact with blood or potentially infectious materials that occurs during performing job duties.

Fomite

Object contaminated with a pathogen that can transfer the pathogen to another person.

Hand Hygiene

Washing hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Hand Sanitizer

Preparation with at least 60 % alcohol designed to reduce microorganisms on hands.

Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI)

Infection acquired within a healthcare setting during medical care for another condition.

Hepatitis

Inflammation of the liver caused by viruses, alcohol abuse, medications, or trauma.

Immunity

Resistance to infection by a specific pathogen.

Incubation Period

Time between exposure to a pathogen and onset of signs and symptoms.

Indirect Contact

Transmission of pathogens by touching something contaminated by the infected person.

Infection

State resulting from pathogens invading the body and multiplying.

Infection Prevention

Set of methods used to prevent and control the spread of disease.

Infectious Disease

Any disease caused by growth of a pathogen.

Isolate

To keep something or someone separate from others.

Jaundice

Yellow appearance of skin, eyes, and mucous membranes due to elevated bilirubin.

Localized Infection

Infection limited to a specific body location with local symptoms.

Malnutrition

Serious condition in which a person is not receiving proper nutrition.

Medical Asepsis

Measures used to reduce, remove, and control the spread of pathogens.

Microorganism (MO)

Living thing so small it is visible only under a microscope; also called a microbe.

MRSA

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; bacteria resistant to methicillin and other antibiotics.

Mucous Membranes

Membranes lining body cavities that open to the outside, such as mouth, nose, eyes, rectum, and genitals.

Multidrug-Resistant Organisms (MDROs)

Microorganisms, mostly bacteria, resistant to one or more commonly used antimicrobial agents.

Noncommunicable Disease

Disease not capable of being spread from one person to another.

Nonintact Skin

Skin that is broken by abrasions, cuts, rashes, acne, lesions, surgical incisions, or boils.

Normal Flora

Microorganisms that normally live in or on the body without causing harm when in their usual location.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Federal agency that makes and enforces rules to protect workers from job hazards.

Pathogens

Microorganisms capable of causing infection and disease.

Perineal Care

Care of the genital and anal areas.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Equipment that protects employees from serious workplace injuries or illnesses due to hazards.

Reinfection

Being infected again with the same pathogen.

Resistance (Body)

Body’s ability to prevent infection and disease.

Sanitation

Ways individuals and communities maintain clean, hygienic conditions to help prevent disease.

Standard Precautions

Infection-prevention method treating all blood, body fluids, nonintact skin, and mucous membranes as potentially infectious.

Sterilization

Cleaning measure that destroys all microorganisms, including spores.

Surgical Asepsis (Sterile Technique)

State of being completely free of microorganisms.

Systemic Infection

Infection in the bloodstream that spreads throughout the body, causing general symptoms.

Transmission

The way and means by which disease is spread.

Vaccine

Product administered to produce immunity to a specific disease.

VRE

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus; enterococci bacteria resistant to the antibiotic vancomycin.

Doff

Another entry removed to avoid duplication.