Infection Control for Respiratory Therapists

Vocabulary flashcards covering infection transmission routes, isolation precautions, hand hygiene standards, cleaning/sterilization protocols, and clinical infection control details.

Direct Contact Transmission

Infection transmission involving direct physical contact between a susceptible host and a colonized infected person.

Indirect Contact Transmission

Infection transmission involving physical contact between a susceptible host and an infected object (a fomite).

Standard Precautions

Basic infection prevention practices that include hand hygiene, gloves, masks, gowns, and eye protection.

Contact Precautions

Transmission-based isolation precautions used for MRSA and VRE, requiring gloves and a gown.

Droplet Precautions

Transmission-based isolation precautions used for influenza, requiring a surgical mask.

Airborne Precautions

Transmission-based isolation precautions used for TB, requiring an N95 respirator and a negative pressure room.

Hand Hygiene Routine

Infection prevention practice requiring a $3\,\text{minute}$ wash at shift start and $20\text{--}30\,\text{seconds}$ between patients, or alcohol-based hand rub if hands are not visibly soiled.

Cleaning

The first step in equipment processing that removes visible debris.

Disinfection

The process that destroys most pathogens, but not spores.

Sterilization

The process that destroys all microbial life.

Low-Level Disinfectants

Disinfecting agents including Quats and acetic acid, used in home care.

Intermediate-Level Disinfectants

Disinfecting agents including alcohol and iodophors.

High-Level Disinfectants

Disinfecting agents including glutaraldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and OPA.

Autoclave Sterilization

A sterilization method using steam under pressure at $15\,\text{psi}$ and $121\,^{\circ}\text{C}$ for $15\,\text{min}$.

Ethylene Oxide (ETO)

A toxic gas sterilization technique used for heat-sensitive tools.

Plasma Gas Sterilization

A fast and safe sterilization method using free radicals to disrupt microbe DNA.

Indicator Strips

Monitoring devices placed in every sterilization cycle to confirm that proper temperature, pressure, and time were achieved.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

A pathogen causing multiple hospitalizations for pulmonary exacerbations in Cystic Fibrosis patients.