Communicable Disease Nursing Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards focusing on key definitions, etiologic agents, diagnostic tests, pathognomonic signs, and terminology from the Communicable Disease Nursing module.

Infection

Implantation and successful replication of an organism in the tissue of the host resulting to signs and symptoms as well as immunologic response.

Carrier

An individual who harbors the organism and is capable of transmitting it to a susceptible host without showing manifestations of the disease.

Communicable Disease

An illness caused by an infectious agent or its toxic products that are transmitted directly or indirectly to a well person through an agency, a vector, or an inanimate object.

Contagious Disease

A term given to a disease that is easily transmitted from one person to another through direct or indirect means.

Concurrent Disinfection

A method of disinfection done immediately after the infected individual discharges infectious material/secretions, while the patient is still the source of infection.

Terminal Disinfection

Disinfection applied when the patient is no longer the source of infection, done after the patient is discharged from the hospital to prepare the room for the next patient.

Quarantine

The limitation of freedom of movement of persons or animals which have been exposed to communicable disease/s for a period of time equivalent to the longest incubation period of that disease.

Epidemiology

The study of occurrences and disturbance of diseases as well as the distribution and determinants of health states or events in specified populations and application of this study to the control of health problems.

Sporadic

Intermittent occurrence of a few isolated and unrelated cases in a given locality, where cases are few and scattered.

Endemic

Continuous occurrence throughout a period of time, of the usual number of cases in a given locality.

Epidemic (Outbreak)

An unusually large number of cases in a relatively short period of time.

Pandemic

The simultaneous occurrence of epidemic of the same disease in several countries.

Droplet Spread

Transmission through contact with respiratory secretions when the infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, limited within 3 feet.

Airborne Transmission

Transmission occurring when fine microbial particles or dust particles containing microbes remain suspended in the air for a prolonged period, reaching more than 3 feet.

Reverse/Neutropenic Isolation

Isolation category where an immunocompromised client is separated to prevent contracting infection from the environment.

Koplik Spots

Pathognomonic sign of Measles found inside the mouth during the pre-eruptive stage.

Stimson's Line

A red line on the lower conjunctiva present during the pre-eruptive stage of Measles.

Lepromatous (Multibacillary) Leprosy

The most serious, non-infectious type of leprosy causing damage to the respiratory tract, eyes, testes, nerves, and skin, presenting a negative Lepromin test.

Tuberculoid (Paucibacillary) Leprosy

A form of leprosy affecting peripheral nerves and surrounding skin with elevated macules clearing at the center, presenting a positive Lepromin test.

Forchheimer's Spot

Pinkish rash on the soft palate occurring during the eruptive period of German Measles (Rubella).

Schick Test

A diagnostic test for Diphtheria involving intradermal injection of 0.1 mL of dilute diphtheria toxin, where inflammation or induration indicates a lack of antibodies.

Bull Neck

Swelling of the soft tissues of the neck observed as a clinical manifestation in Diphtheria.

Complement Fixation Test

An immunological medical test used in Influenza diagnosis to detect specific antibodies or antigens in a patient's serum.

Wool-sorter's Disease

Another term for Anthrax, an acute bacterial disease caused by Bacillus anthracis.

El Tor

Another term for Cholera, an acute bacterial enteric disease caused by Vibrio El Tor characterized by profuse rice-watery stool.

Rose Spots

Abdominal spots that appear during the onset phase of Typhoid Fever.

Shigellosis

Another term for Bacillary Dysentery, an acute bacterial infection of the intestine characterized by diarrhea, fever, tenesmus, and bloody-mucoid stools.

Infectious Parotitis

Another term for Mumps, an acute viral disease caused by Paramyxoviridae manifested by swelling of one or both parotid glands.

Botulism

A rare but severe illness caused by Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin characterized by descending flaccid paralysis and autonomic dysfunction.

Katayama Fever

A clinical constellation in the 2nd stage of Schistosomiasis consisting of fever, headache, cough, chills, sweating, lymphadenopathy, and hepatosplenomegaly.

Painless Chancre

A painless sore appearing at the site of entry during the primary stage of Syphilis.

Herman's Sign

Pathognomonic sign of Dengue Fever described as a maculopapular rash with patches of normal skin.

Tourniquet Test (Rumpel - Leede Test)

A diagnostic procedure used in Dengue Fever to check for capillary fragility.

Elephantiasis

A chronic manifestation of Filariasis caused by thread-like worms such as Wuchereria bancrofti.

Hydrophobia

Another term for Rabies, an acute viral infection caused by Rhabdovirus leading to severe spasms of the mouth, pharynx, and larynx.

Trismus

Lockjaw; painful spasms of the masticatory muscles causing difficulty in opening the mouth, seen in Tetanus.

Risus Sardonicus

A characteristic sustained facial muscle spasm producing an abnormal grin, seen in Tetanus.

Hoyne Sign

A clinical manifestation of Poliomyelitis where the head falls back when surprised and shoulders are elevated.

Tripod Sign

A position where a patient extends arms behind for support when sitting up, indicative of Poliomyelitis.