Chapter 4: Infection Control — Principles and Practices

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the key terms, regulatory agencies, microorganisms, levels of decontamination, and infection control procedures from Chapter 4 Review Notes.

Infection control

Methods used to eliminate or reduce the transmission of infectious organisms.

Infection

The invasion of body tissues by disease-causing pathogens.

Infectious disease

A disease caused by pathogenic organisms entering the body.

Contagious/communicable disease

A disease that can spread from one person to another.

OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration; part of the U.S. Department of Labor that protects employees, regulates workplace safety, establishes/enforces health and safety standards, and addresses employee exposure to hazardous materials.

Hazard Communication Standard (HCS)

An OSHA standard that requires employers and employees to have information about chemicals and their hazards.

EPA

Environmental Protection Agency; a federal agency that registers disinfectants and requires registration numbers on disinfectants used in the barbershop.

Laws (Statutes)

Written by federal and state legislatures to establish scope of practice and determine what a professional license allows.

Rules and regulations

Specific guidelines written by regulatory agencies or state barber boards that explain how the law is applied.

Bacteria

One-celled microorganisms that can exist as nonpathogenic or pathogenic forms.

Nonpathogenic bacteria

Harmless microorganisms that may perform helpful functions such as breaking down food, protecting against infection, and supporting the immune system.

Pathogenic bacteria

Harmful microorganisms that can cause disease and infection.

Cocci

Round or spherical-shaped bacteria.

Staphylococci

Pus-forming bacteria that grow in clusters like grapes and can cause abscesses, pustules, and boils.

Streptococci

Pus-forming bacteria that grow in curved chains or strings of beads and can cause strep throat and blood poisoning.

Diplococci

Spherical bacteria that grow in pairs and can cause diseases such as pneumonia.

Bacilli

Rod-shaped bacteria associated with diseases such as tetanus, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, and diphtheria.

Spirilla

Spiral or corkscrew-shaped bacteria associated with diseases such as syphilis and Lyme disease.

Pus

A fluid containing white blood cells, bacteria, and dead cells, whose presence can indicate a bacterial infection.

Local infection

An infection confined to a single area of the body, such as a pimple or an abscess.

Systemic infection

An infection in which a pathogen spreads throughout the entire body.

MRSA

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; a type of staph infection resistant to certain antibiotics that may initially appear as pimples, rashes, or boils.

Viruses

Microscopic agents that must enter and take over a living host cell in order to reproduce, and generally cannot be treated with antibiotics.

Bloodborne pathogens

Disease-causing microorganisms carried in the body by blood or body fluids, such as hepatitis and HIV.

Hepatitis

A bloodborne virus that damages the liver and can survive outside the body for longer periods than HIV.

HIV

Human Immunodeficiency Virus; a bloodborne virus that weakens the immune system and can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).

Fungi

Organisms such as molds, mildews, and yeasts that can cause contagious diseases such as ringworm.

Tinea

The general medical term for a fungal or ringworm infection.

Tinea barbae

A fungal infection affecting the beard, face, and neck.

Tinea capitis

A fungal infection of the scalp.

Parasites

Organisms that live on or inside another organism (called a host) and depend on that host to survive.

Pediculosis capitis

An infestation of the scalp and hair with head lice.

Scabies

A contagious skin disease caused by the itch mite, which burrows under the skin.

Immunity

The body's ability to resist and destroy pathogens.

Natural immunity

Immunity that is partly inherited and partly developed through healthy living.

Acquired immunity

Immunity developed through recovering from a disease, vaccination/inoculation, or exposure to allergens.

Cleaning

The mechanical process of removing visible dirt, hair, debris, and many germs using soap or detergent, water, and scrubbing.

Disinfection

A chemical process that destroys most harmful organisms on surfaces, though it does not necessarily destroy bacterial spores.

Bactericidal

A term indicating that a disinfectant is capable of killing bacteria.

Virucidal

A term indicating that a disinfectant is capable of killing viruses.

Fungicidal

A term indicating that a disinfectant is capable of killing fungi.

Tuberculocidal

A term indicating that a disinfectant is proven to be effective against tuberculosis organisms.

Sterilization

The highest level of decontamination that destroys all microbial life, including spores.

Autoclave

A sterilization device that uses heat and pressure to destroy all microbial life, including spores.

Sanitizing

Reducing the number of disease-causing germs on a cleaned surface to a safe level.

Complete immersion

Placing an implement into disinfectant solution so that the entire tool, all surfaces, and handles are completely covered for the required contact time.

Quats

Quaternary ammonium compounds; commonly used barbershop disinfectants that typically disinfect implements in about 10 minutes.

Phenolic disinfectants

Powerful tuberculocidal disinfectants that can cause irritation or damage to skin, eyes, and certain materials.

Antiseptics

Chemical germicides formulated for use directly on the skin.

Nonporous

Describes materials that do not absorb liquids easily (e.g., metal, glass, certain plastics) and can generally be properly disinfected.

Porous

Describes materials that can absorb liquid; many porous disposable items cannot be disinfected and must be discarded after use.

Standard Precautions

CDC guidelines requiring workers to assume that all human blood and body fluids are potentially infectious.

Asymptomatic

Showing no visible signs or symptoms of infection.

Exposure incident

An incident involving occupational contact with blood, body fluids, broken/non-intact skin, or other potentially infectious material during work.

Direct transmission

The transmission of pathogens through person-to-person physical contact such as touching, kissing, or coughing/sneezing at close range.

Indirect transmission

The transmission of pathogens through contact with an intermediate contaminated object such as a comb, razor, clippers, towel, or countertop.