Infection Prevention and Respiratory Care Microbiology

Vocabulary flashcards covering microbiology terms, transmission routes, isolation precautions, and infection prevention techniques in respiratory care.

Microbiology

The study of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi.

Microorganism

Microscopic lifeforms present in every environment.

Pathogenic

Capable of producing infectious diseases in susceptible hosts.

Normal flora

Microorganisms normally found in or on a particular body site that usually do not produce infectious diseases.

Clinical microbiology

The isolation, identification, and control of pathogenic organisms.

Germ theory

Described by Pasteur, the theory that diseases are caused by microorganisms.

Virulence

The ability of a microorganism to cause disease.

Gram positive

Bacteria that retain an initial gentian violet stain after an alcohol wash and appear blue or violet under a microscope.

Gram negative

Bacteria that do not retain initial violet stain after an alcohol wash and appear red under a microscope.

Acid-fast stain (Ziehl-Neelsen)

A biological staining technique used to identify bacteria belonging to the Mycobacterium classification that retain red dye after an acid wash.

Autotrophs

Bacteria that require simple inorganic nutrients for growth.

Heterotrophs

Bacteria that require complex organic nutrients for growth.

Aerobes

Microorganisms that require oxygen to grow.

Anaerobes

Microorganisms that can grow without oxygen.

Facultative

Microorganisms possessing limited tolerance to oxygen.

Virus

A pathogen composed of DNA or RNA that is non-living, cannot self-replicate, and can only replicate in a susceptible host.

Protozoan infection

An infection caused by single-celled parasites that may infect blood, intestinal tract, brain, skin, eyes, and other parts of the body.

Cross contamination

The transmission of microorganisms between places or persons.

Susceptibility

The likeliness of a host developing an infection.

Resistance

The body's ability to protect itself against infection.

Contact transmission

The most common route of infection transmission, occurring directly from person to person or indirectly.

Cohorting

Placing two patients who have the same infection with no additional infections in the same room.

Airborne transmission

The transport of microscopic and very light microorganisms through air currents from one area to another.

Droplet transmission

A form of contact transmission via larger respiratory droplets generated by coughing, sneezing, talking, or procedures.

Vehicle transmission

Indirect contact transmission through a contaminated intermediate object or person.

Fomites

Inanimate objects serving to transfer pathogens, such as equipment and surfaces.

Vector transmission

Transmission involving an intermediate host such as an insect, plant, or animal.

Community Acquired infection

An infection developed outside the hospital setting.

Nosocomial infection

An infection acquired at least 72 hours after admission to a hospital.

Healthcare Associated Infections

Infections that develop in a patient during the course of medical treatment from the home, community, or healthcare setting.

Asepsis

The absence of disease-producing microorganisms.

Sterility

The total absence of all microorganisms.

Aseptic technique

A method used to prevent the spread of germs that cause infection.

Standard precautions

Infection prevention practices strongly recommended for all healthcare facilities that require workers to make informed decisions about potential disease exposure.

N95 mask

A tight-fitting face covering required for airborne precautions that filters at least 95% of airborne particles.

PAPR (Powered Air Purifying Respirator)

A respirator system used if a healthcare worker cannot wear an N95 mask.

Just culture

An organizational environment where healthcare workers can report errors and mistakes without fear of retaliation.

Presenteeism

The practice of healthcare workers reporting to work while sick.

Biohazardous material

Waste including laboratory cultures, human blood, and body fluids such as pleural fluid and cerebrospinal fluid.

Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP)

An infection caused by aspiration of bacteria that have colonized the upper GI tract or oropharynx through small folds in an airway cuff.