Protection: Infection and Inflammation

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to the protection against infection and inflammation as discussed in Nursing 134.

Immunizations

Vaccines that help prevent diseases by inducing immunity.

Health Care Acquired Infections (HAIs)

Infections acquired in a healthcare setting during the course of receiving treatment.

Nosocomial Infections

Infections originating in the hospital.

Inflammatory Response

The body's protective mechanism involving redness, heat, pain, and swelling.

Pathogen

Microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites that can cause disease.

Virulence

The ability of a pathogen to cause disease.

Transmission-based precautions

Infection control practices used to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Aseptic technique

Procedures aimed at minimizing contamination by pathogens.

Hand hygiene

The practice of cleaning hands to prevent the spread of infections.

Wound healing phases

Stages of recovery from an injury, which include hemostasis, inflammatory, proliferation, and maturation phases.

Dehiscence

The separation of wound edges, usually after surgery, often due to excessive stress.

Evisceration

The protrusion of internal organs through a wound.

Proliferation Phase

The phase of wound healing where new tissue is formed to fill the wound.

Cardinal Signs of Inflammation

Redness, heat, pain, swelling, and loss of function.

Susceptible Host

An individual with a compromised ability to resist infection due to various factors.