Infection Prevention and Management

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering terms, infection stages, healthcare-associated infections, and procedures from Chapter 27.

Abscess

A localized accumulation of pus within tissue caused by an infectious process.

Agranulocytes

White blood cells lacking distinct cytoplasmic granules, including lymphocytes and monocytes.

Anaerobes

Microorganisms that grow and thrive only in the absence of free oxygen.

Antibodies

Immunoglobulins produced by B lymphocytes that specifically bind to target antigens.

Antigens

Foreign substances or molecules that trigger a specific immune response in the host body.

Bacteremia

The presence of viable bacteria circulating within the blood stream.

Colonization

The presence and multiplication of microorganisms on or within a host without causing tissue damage or infection.

Communicable disease

An infectious disease capable of being transmitted directly or indirectly from one person to another.

Communicable period

The time frame during which an infectious agent can be transmitted from an infected host to another individual.

Complement system

A group of circulating plasma proteins that enhance immune responses, inflammation, and pathogen lysis.

Endotoxins

Toxic lipopolysaccharide components located in the cell walls of gram-negative bacteria released upon cell disruption.

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs)

Enzymes produced by certain bacteria that confer resistance to a broad range of beta-lactam antibiotics.

Granulocytes

Leukocytes containing prominent cytoplasmic granules, comprising neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils.

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)

Infections acquired by patients while receiving treatment for other medical conditions in a healthcare facility.

Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection (CLABSI)

A primary bloodstream infection developing in a patient with a central intravenous line.

Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI)

An infection of the urinary tract related to the use of an indwelling urinary catheter.

Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP)

A lung infection occurring in patients receiving mechanical ventilatory support.

Surgical Site Infection (SSI)

An infection occurring at the location of a recent surgical procedure.

Clostridium difficile Infection (CDI)

A healthcare-associated intestinal infection causing severe diarrhea and colitis following antibiotic exposure.

Interferon

Nonspecific antiviral proteins produced by host cells to inhibit viral replication and modulate immune activity.

Leukocytosis

An abnormally high number of circulating white blood cells in response to infection or inflammation.

Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)

The lowest concentration of an antimicrobial drug that prevents visible growth of a microorganism.

Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs)

Microorganisms that demonstrate resistance to one or more classes of antimicrobial agents.

Neutropenia

An abnormally low concentration of neutrophils in the blood, predisposing the host to severe infections.

Normal flora

Microorganisms normally residing in or on human tissue that provide protection against foreign pathogens.

Nosocomial infection

An infection originating or acquired specifically during hospitalization.

Opportunistic pathogen

An organism capable of causing disease primarily in a host with weakened immune defenses.

Purulent

Containing, consisting of, or exuding pus.

Sepsis

A life-threatening systemic dysfunction resulting from an dysregulated body response to an infection.

Shift to the left

An increased presence of immature band neutrophils in circulating blood, signaling acute infection.

Superinfection

A secondary infection occurring during antimicrobial treatment of a primary infection, often due to antibiotic-resistant flora overgrowth.

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)

An overwhelming systemic inflammatory reaction caused by severe physiological insults including infection.

Vaccination

Administration of antigenic material to induce active immunity against specific infectious agents.

Nonspecific Natural Defenses

Includes anatomic, mechanical, and chemical barriers. White blood cells. Inflammatory response. Fever.

Inflammatory Response Pathway

Sequence triggered by tissue disruption leading to vascular and cellular changes and subsequent local and systemic body responses.

Local versus Systemic Infection

Local infection affects a specific area, while systemic infection spreads throughout the body, often via the bloodstream.

Acute versus Chronic Infection

Acute infection is characterized by a rapid onset and a short duration, while chronic infection persists over a longer period, often with fluctuating symptoms.

Cellular immunity

Specific acquired defense mechanism driven principally by T-lymphocyte activity.

Humoral immunity

Specific acquired defense mechanism in which B lymphocytes produce antigen-specific antibodies.

Active immunity

Immunity produced when the recipient immune system is directly stimulated to create antibodies.

Passive immunity

Immunity resulting from the transfer of preformed antibodies directly to a recipient.

Compromised Host

Characterized by breaks in skin and mucous membranes, invasive devices, stasis of body fluids, inadequate nutrition, stress, hyperglycemia, immune system dysfunction, coexisting medical problems, and drug therapy.

Incubation period

The interval between initial exposure to an infectious pathogen and the first appearance of symptoms.

Prodromal period

The phase of an infection between vague, early symptoms and full clinical manifestation.

Acute phase of illness

The stage of an infection where specific signs and symptoms reach peak intensity.

Convalescent period

The recovery phase following an infection as symptoms resolve and tissue heals.

Dysuria

Painful or burning sensation during urination, typical of urinary tract infection.

Factors Predisposing to Wound Infection

Risk factors characterized by the location of the wound, the degree of contamination of the wound, and the presence/type of foreign bodies.

Obtaining a Wound Culture

Nursing procedure for collecting a swab sample from a wound bed for microbiological culture.

Factors Predisposing to Urinary Tract Infection

Risk factors categorized by increased urethral contamination, facilitated urethral ascent, reduced urine flow, and promoted bacterial colonization.

Collecting Sterile Specimen From an Indwelling Catheter

Procedure for aspirating a sterile urine sample using a syringe attached to an indwelling catheter sampling port.

Factors Predisposing to Respiratory Infection

Risk factors categorized by increased secretion production, decreased chest wall movement, inhibited clearance, respiratory center depression, and microbial colonization.

Obtaining a Sputum Specimen

Clinical procedure involving the collection of deep-cough respiratory secretions in a sterile specimen container.

Common Manifestations of Infection

Key clinical manifestations categorized across wound, urinary tract, respiratory, and gastroenteritis infections.

Normal Pattern Identification

Usual pattern of rest and exercise; nutrition; use of vitamins, herbs, and folk remedies; history of immunizations; usual experience of illness

Risk Identification

Recent disease exposure or travel; presence of chronic diseases; history of medications and therapeutic treatments.

Dysfunction Identification

The types of symptoms are occurring, the length of present symptoms, and how the infection affects the ability to perform activities of daily living.

Physical Assessment

Includes general inspection, vital signs, auscultation of breath sounds, auscultation of bowel sounds, palpation of lymph nodes, and sepsis surveillance.

Diagonstic Tests and Procedures

Includes white blood cell (WBC) count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), complete blood count (CBC), lactate level, urinalysis, therapeutic drug monitoring, diagnostic imaging, culture and sensitivity testing to identify infection and guide treatment (blood, nasal, sputum, throat, wound, body cavity, fluid, stool).

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)

A blood test that measures how quickly red blood cells settle at the bottom of a test tube, indicating the presence of inflammation or infection in the body.

Health Promotion

Includes personal hygiene, protection of skin and mucous membranes, rest and relaxation, nutrition, hydration, and immunization programs.

Nursing Intervention

Inlcudes comfort measures, ambulation and positioning, respiratory interventions, fever management, neutropenic precautions, antimicrobial therapy, and prevention of infection spread.

Antipyretics

Medications used to reduce fever by acting on the hypothalamus to promote heat loss.

Tepid baths

A form of physical intervention used to reduce body temperature by immersing the patient in lukewarm water, which enhances heat loss through evaporation and conduction.