Health Science Theory: Safety, Infection Control, Immune System, and Transfer Skills

Aerobe

microorganisms that require oxygen to live

Disinfection

use of antimicrobial agents on nonliving objects to destroy or deactivate microorganisms (Ex: floors and walls of a hospital room are disinfected)

Indirect contact

pathogens come from food, air, soil, feces, equipment, clothing

Asepsis

the absence of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms

Ergonomics

practices seek to maximize efficiency and prevent discomfort or injury during the time a person is performing work tasks

Parasites

organism that live in or on another organism. They normally choose fleas, lice, ticks, or mites as their host. If one of these creatures bite a human, that body becomes the host

Autoclave

machine that employs hot, pressurized steam for cleaning purposes. The high temp kills all microorganism and their spores

Fungi

can cause disease, including athletes foot and certain lung diseases

Sterilization

kills all microorganisms on the surface. The most common method is the use of an autoclave

Chain of Infection

Illustrates the sequence of events that allows infection to invade the body. Reservoir of host, Susceptible host, Portal of entry, Mode of transmission, Portal of exit

Anaerobe

microorganism that require no oxygen

Direct contact

person to person contact with infectious body secretions (germs on hands)

Antibiotics

Bacterial infections are treated with them

Hand hygiene

most important way to prevent spread of infection, takes 20 seconds to wash

Code blue

cardiac arrest

Code pink

child abduction

Code black

bomb threat

Lymph node

have 500-700 throughout the body, small organs made of lymphatic tissue, house lymphocytes and antibodies, trap and destroy cells from cancerous tumors

Lymphatic duct

Lymphatic vessels drain into one of two large ducts: right lymphatic duct and thoracic duct

OSHA hazard

requires employers to educate employees about chemical hazards in the workplace

ROM Excercises

used to promote circulation and increased flexibility, are standardized and structured movements

Immunization

the process whereby a person is made resistant to a disease, typically by the administration of a vaccine

Passive Immunity

type of immunity that occurs when a person is given antibodies rather than making them through his or her own immune system

Active Immunity

Immunity you develop after being exposed to an infection or from getting a vaccine

Innate Immunity

the first response of the body's immune system to a harmful foreign substance

Acquired Immunity

Immunity that develops during your lifetime

Natural Immunity

acquired from exposure to the disease organism through infection with the actual disease

Spleen

located in the upper left quadrant, destroys old red blood cells, recycles iron, and stored blood

Appendix

a tube-shaped sac attached to and opening into the lower end of the large intestine, not significant

Thymus

located in the upper portion of the mediastinum, essential for immune development

Standard Precautions

basic practices intended to prevent the spread of infection

Airborne Precautions

protect against small airborne droplets or dust particles containing microorganisms

Droplet Precautions

protect against large droplet transmission, as in coughing or sneezing

Contact Precautions

protect against the spread of microorganisms through direct or indirect contact

Crutches

used for short term conditions, such as sprained ankle or broken leg

PPE

Personal protective equipment, protects workers from serious workplace injuries or illnesses resulting from contact with various hazards

Nosocomial Infections

acquired in the hospital and are why healthcare workers follow Standard Precautions by washing hands and wearing gloves when contacting any patient

Virus

much smaller than bacteria and depend on a living cell to survive because they cannot reproduce on their own. They cause the common cold, smallpox, chicken pox, measles, influenza, HPV, herpes, AIDS

Pathogens

microorganisms that can cause infectious disease

Fire Extinguisher; Type A, Type B, Type C

Type A - pressurized water (for ordinary combustibles)

Type B - carbon dioxide (for flammable liquids)

Type C - dry chemical (for combustible metals)