FUNDS: EXAM 1 KEY TERMS

Infectious agent

microorganism that causes an infection

Reservoir

place where microorganisms survive and multiply

Portal of exit

route by which microorganisms leave the reservoir

Mode of transmission

way a microorganism spreads from one place/person to another

Portal of entry

route by which microorganisms enter the body

Susceptible host

person who is vulnerable to developing an infection

Standard precautions

treating blood and body fluids as potentially infectious

Hand hygiene

cleaning the hands to prevent the spread of microorganisms

Five moments of hand hygiene

before touching patient; before aseptic procedure; after body-fluid exposure; after touching patient; after touching patient surroundings

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

equipment worn to protect the nurse and patient from exposure to infection

Donning

putting on PPE

Doffing

removing PPE

Airborne precautions

precautions used for infections spread through very small particles that remain suspended in air

N95 respirator

respiratory protection used for airborne precautions such as TB

Droplet precautions

precautions used for infections spread through respiratory droplets

Contact precautions

precautions used for infections spread through direct or indirect contact

MRSA

methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; generally requires contact precautions

VRE

vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus; generally requires contact precautions

C. difficile

bacteria that produces hardy spores and requires contact precautions with soap-and-water handwashing

Atelectasis

collapse of alveoli that decreases gas exchange

Healthcare-associated infection (HAI)

infection acquired while receiving healthcare

CAUTI

catheter-associated urinary tract infection

Fall risk

increased likelihood that a patient will fall because of factors such as age

Restraint

physical or chemical method used to limit a patient's movement

De-escalation

techniques used to reduce anxiety or agitation before behavior progresses to aggression

Restraint alternatives

interventions attempted before restraints such as addressing pain

RACE

fire-response sequence: Rescue

PASS

fire-extinguisher sequence: Pull

Activity order

provider-ordered level of activity that must be checked before getting a patient out of bed

NPO

nothing by mouth; means the patient should not receive food or fluids unless the order is changed

Aspiration

entry of food

Body mechanics

coordinated use of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems to maintain alignment and safely move the body

Mobility

ability to move about freely

Immobility

inability to move about freely

Range of motion (ROM)

maximum amount of movement available at a joint

Active ROM

patient independently moves the joint through its range of motion

Passive ROM

nurse moves the patient's joint through its range of motion

Contracture

fixation of a joint caused by lack of movement

Disuse atrophy

loss of muscle size and strength caused by lack of use

Disuse osteoporosis

loss of bone density caused by prolonged lack of weight-bearing or movement

Orthostatic hypotension

drop in blood pressure associated with changing position

Venous stasis

slowing or pooling of venous blood that increases risk for clot formation

Thrombus

blood clot that can form when immobility causes venous stasis

Dependent edema

swelling caused by fluid accumulating in dependent areas of the body

Logrolling

moving the patient's body as one unit while maintaining spinal alignment

Activity tolerance

type and amount of activity or exercise a person is able to perform

Atelectasis

collapse of alveoli that can occur with decreased respiratory movement from immobility

Hypostatic pneumonia

pneumonia associated with prolonged immobility and lying in one position

Perineal care

cleansing of the genital and anal areas

Catheter care

cleansing around the urinary meatus and along the catheter to reduce infection risk

Pressure injury

skin and tissue damage caused by prolonged pressure and impaired circulation

Shearing

skin/tissue injury caused when skin stays in place while deeper tissues move

Halitosis

unpleasant or foul-smelling breath

Gingivitis

inflammation of the gums

Stomatitis

inflammation of the mouth

Glossitis

inflammation of the tongue