Unit 3: Infection Control & Bloodborne Pathogens

Vocabulary flashcards covering the components of the Chain of Infection, mechanisms of transmission, methods for breaking each link, and aseptic techniques.

Pathogen

Any disease-causing microorganism.

Virus

A microorganism that needs a living host to survive and uses the host's metabolic process to produce more viral particles.

Bacteria

Single-celled organisms that produce their own energy and can reproduce on their own without requiring a host.

Fungus (Infection)

An organism that invades tissue to cause disease that can be confined to the skin, spread into tissue, bones, and organs, or affect the whole body.

Parasite

An organism that lives in or on an organism of another species.

Reservoir Host

The individual or environment (such as people, equipment, or water) in whom the infectious microorganism resides.

Carrier

A human or animal who can transmit disease to others but does not show signs and symptoms of the disease.

Portal of Exit

The pathogen's route of escape from the reservoir, including excretions, secretions, droplets, blood, saliva, or breaks in skin.

Route of Transmission

The method by which the pathogen gets from the reservoir to the new host, such as contact, droplets, airborne spread, or vectorborne transmission.

Portal of Entry

The route through which the pathogen enters its new host, including the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary tract, mucous membranes, or skin breaks.

Susceptible Host

The source, such as a human, who accepts and supports the pathogen's life and reproduction.

Medical Asepsis

A clean technique that reduces microorganisms using room or environmental sprays, wipes, and 10-1 bleach equipment cleaning.

Surgical Asepsis

The highest level of protection (sterile technique) that includes wound cleaning, autoclave sterilization, and following CDC guidelines.

Breaking the Link: Infectious Agent

Interventions to eliminate or identify the pathogen, including prompt treatment, decontamination, documentation, and rapid identification of the organism.

Breaking the Link: Reservoir

Infection control practices that target the source, including good overall health and hygiene, environmental sanitation, and disinfection or sterilization.

Breaking the Link: Portal of Exit

Measures aimed at containing infectious materials, such as proper attire/PPE, hand hygiene, trash and waste disposal, and control of secretions and excretions.

Breaking the Link: Mode of Transmission

Protocols that stop pathogen travel between hosts, including hand hygiene, airflow control, disinfection/sterilization, proper food handling, and isolation precautions.

Breaking the Link: Portal of Entry

Techniques that protect entry points into a host, such as aseptic technique/care, proper wound care, hand hygiene, and catheter care.

Breaking the Link: Susceptible Host

Measures to protect vulnerable individuals by recognizing high-risk patients, treating primary disease, and maintaining good overall health and nutrition.

Chain of Infection

A model consisting of six interrelated links (Infectious Agent, Reservoir, Portal of Exit, Mode of Transmission, Portal of Entry, and Susceptible Host) required for an infection to spread, along with strategies to break each link.