Infection Control, VRE & C. difficile – Lecture Review

75 vocabulary flashcards reviewing key terms on VRE, C. difficile, risk factors, treatments, and infection-control practices discussed in the lecture.

Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE)

Enterococcal bacteria that have acquired genes making them resistant to the antibiotic vancomycin.

Vancomycin

Glycopeptide antibiotic formerly relied upon to treat serious Enterococcal infections.

Contact Isolation

Precaution requiring gown and gloves to prevent spread of pathogens by direct or indirect contact.

Direct Transmission

Spread of microorganisms through person-to-person physical contact.

Indirect Transmission

Spread of pathogens via contaminated objects, surfaces, or vectors rather than direct touch.

Plasmid

Small, transferable DNA circle that can carry antibiotic-resistance genes between bacteria.

Colonization (microbiology)

Presence of microorganisms on or in a host without causing symptomatic infection.

Protease (bacterial)

Enzyme produced by bacteria that breaks down host tissues and aids invasion.

Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea

Loose stools resulting from disruption of normal gut flora during antibiotic therapy.

Clostridioides difficile (C. diff)

Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium causing severe toxin-mediated colitis and diarrhea.

Pseudomembranous Colitis

Life-threatening inflammation of the colon characterized by yellow plaques; often due to C. diff.

Fecal-Oral Route

Pathogen transmission path in which infectious particles from stool are ingested.

Metronidazole (Flagyl)

Antimicrobial drug commonly used IV or orally to treat anaerobic infections, including C. diff.

Amoxicillin

Broad-spectrum penicillin-class antibiotic sometimes effective against VRE.

Ampicillin

Extended-spectrum penicillin antibiotic occasionally active against VRE strains.

Polymyxin

Older antibiotic class with activity against certain multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria.

Imipenem

Carbapenem antibiotic used for serious multidrug-resistant infections including some VRE.

Antibiotic Stewardship

Coordinated strategies to optimize antibiotic use and reduce resistance.

Hand Hygiene

Critical infection-control step of washing with soap and water or using sanitizer to remove microbes.

Disposable Gloves

Single-use protective hand coverings worn when contact with body fluids is expected.

Routine Linen Change

Regular replacement and laundering of bedding to remove microbial contamination.

Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI)

Infection acquired in a hospital or long-term care facility.

Compromised Immune System

Reduced host defenses due to disease, therapy, or age, increasing infection risk.

Indwelling Device

Medical tube or catheter left inside the body that can serve as a focus for infection.

Urinary Catheter

Tube inserted into the bladder to drain urine; a risk factor for UTIs.

Intravenous Line

Catheter placed in a vein for fluids or drugs; can become infected with VRE.

Abdominal Abscess

Localized pus collection within the abdomen, possible complication of VRE overgrowth.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Bacterial infection of the urethra, bladder, or kidneys causing dysuria and frequency.

Endocarditis

Infection of the heart valves or endocardium; VRE can be a causative agent.

Meningitis

Inflammation of the meninges around the brain and spinal cord; VRE bacteremia can seed the CNS.

Pneumonia

Infection causing inflammation of lung tissue; can result from VRE bloodstream spread.

Infection Control Bundle

Set of evidence-based practices used together to reduce healthcare infections.

Head-of-Bed Elevation

Positioning the patient 30–45° upright to reduce aspiration risk.

Aspiration Pneumonia

Lung infection caused by inhalation of oropharyngeal or gastric contents.

Incentive Spirometer

Device encouraging deep breaths to prevent atelectasis and lung infection.

Respiratory Tract Infection

Infection involving airways or lungs, producing cough, dyspnea, fever.

Dyspnea

Subjective sensation of difficult or labored breathing.

Hypoxia

Low oxygen level in tissues; may accompany severe respiratory infection.

Sputum Culture

Laboratory test growing microorganisms from mucus to guide antibiotic therapy.

Acid-Fast Culture

Lab method detecting Mycobacteria such as TB in respiratory secretions.

Peak and Trough Levels

Highest and lowest blood concentrations of a drug, monitored for dosing safety.

Fluconazole (Diflucan)

Systemic antifungal agent used orally or IV for Candida and other fungal infections.

Acyclovir

Antiviral medication for herpes viruses; ends in “-vir” like many antivirals.

Antiviral Medication

Drug class that inhibits replication of viruses inside host cells.

Antifungal Medication

Agents, e.g., azoles, that treat infections caused by fungi.

Cephalosporins

Beta-lactam antibiotic group often implicated in triggering C. diff.

Penicillin

Classic beta-lactam antibiotic; broad use but can precipitate C. diff.

Clindamycin

Lincosamide antibiotic with high C. diff–inducing potential.

VRE Risk Factors

Prior antibiotic use, immune suppression, indwelling devices, GI surgery, chronic disease.

C. diff Risk Factors

Recent antibiotics, advanced age, hospitalization, proton pump inhibitors, immunosuppression.

Watery Diarrhea

Frequent liquid stools; hallmark of both antibiotic-associated and C. diff colitis.

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation

Therapeutic transfer of screened donor stool to restore healthy gut flora in recurrent C. diff.

Toxic Megacolon

Acute colonic dilation with systemic toxicity; serious C. diff complication.

Kidney Failure

Loss of renal function that may follow severe dehydration from infection.

Dehydration

Deficit of body water and electrolytes, common with profuse diarrhea.

Bowel Perforation

Hole in intestinal wall; life-threatening complication of severe colitis.

Bleach Cleaning

Use of sodium hypochlorite solution to kill resilient C. diff spores on surfaces.

Standard Precautions

Minimum infection-control measures assumed for all patient care to prevent exposure to blood and body fluids.

Teach-Back Method

Education technique asking patients to restate information to confirm understanding.

Malaise

General feeling of discomfort or fatigue often accompanying infection.

Colonoscopy

Endoscopic examination of the entire colon; route for FMT delivery.

Sigmoidoscopy

Endoscopic visualization of the sigmoid colon; limited FMT route.

Oral Poop Capsule

Encapsulated donor stool taken by mouth for microbiota transplantation.

Specific Gravity (Urine)

Measure of urine concentration used to assess hydration status.

Dysuria

Painful or burning urination typical of UTIs.

Flank Pain

Discomfort in the side of the torso, suggesting kidney involvement in UTI.

Front-to-Back Wiping

Perineal hygiene method preventing fecal bacteria from entering the urethra.

Sterile Technique

Procedures used to eliminate all microorganisms from an area or instrument.

Nephrostomy Tube

Catheter inserted into the kidney to drain urine externally; infection risk site.

Foley Catheter

Indwelling urinary catheter with a balloon to keep it in the bladder.

Osmolality

Concentration of solutes in urine or plasma; rises with dehydration.

Cloudy Urine

Turbid appearance of urine indicating presence of pus, bacteria, or crystals.

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

Gram-negative rod commonly causing UTIs and present in fecal flora.

Universal Precautions

Older term for treating all human blood and certain body fluids as potentially infectious.

Infection Prevention

Series of actions aimed at stopping pathogens from entering or spreading within a host or setting.