Chapter 6: Infection Prevention and Control

Nursing Assisting: A Foundation in Caregiving - 6th Edition

Antimicrobial

An agent that destroys, resists, or prevents the development of pathogens

Autoclave

Machine that sterilizes items using steam under pressure

Bloodborne Pathogens

Microorganisms in blood and other body fluids that cause disease

Bloodborne Pathogen Standard

Law requiring that facilities protect employees from bloodborne health hazards

Body Fluids

Liquids from the body such as blood saliva urine and semen

CRE

Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Bacteria

(Carbapenem=antibiotic)

Carrier

A person who carries and spreads a pathogen without symptoms

Catheter

A tube used to add or remove fluids from the body

C Diff

A bacteria spread by spores that causes severe diarrhea

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

US agency that protects public health

Clean

Free from pathogens in a healthcare setting

Communicable Disease

A disease that spreads between people

Contagious Disease

A disease that spreads easily person to person

Contaminated

Containing disease causing organisms or infectious material on it

Cross-Infection

Transfer of bacteria between people or body parts

Dehydration

Excessive loss of body water

Direct Contact

Spread of disease through physical touch

Dirty

Contaminated with pathogens

Disinfection

Kills most but not all microorganisms

Doff

To remove equipment

Don

To put on equipment

Drainage

Flow of fluid from a wound

Exposure Control Plan

Steps to prevent contact with infectious materials

Exposure Incident

Contact with potentially infectious material

Fomite

A contaminated object that spreads disease

Hand Hygiene

Cleaning hands with soap water or sanitizer

Hand Sanitizer

Alcohol based product that reduces germs on hands

Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI)

Infection acquired during medical care

Hepatitis

Inflammation of the liver

Immunity

Resistance to a specific disease

Incubation Period

Time between exposure and symptoms

Indirect Contact

Spread by touching contaminated objects

Infection

Pathogens invading and multiplying in the body

Infection Prevention

Methods to stop disease spread

Infectious Disease

Disease caused by pathogen growth

Isolate

To keep something separate

Jaundice

Yellowing of skin eyes and membranes

Localized Infection

Infection limited to one body area

Malnutrition

Lack of proper nutrition

Medical Asepsis

Practices that reduce the spread of pathogens

Microorganism

A tiny living organism only seen with a microscope

MRSA

Antibiotic resistant Staphylococcus bacteria

Mucous Membranes

Linings of body openings like mouth nose and eyes

Multidrug-Resistant Organisms (MDROs)

Bacteria resistant to multiple antibiotics

Noncommunicable Disease

A disease that cannot spread person to person

Nonintact Skin

Broken or damaged skin

Normal Flora

Harmless microorganisms normally on the body

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Agency that enforces workplace safety laws

Pathogens

Microorganisms that cause disease

Perineal Care

Cleaning of the genital and anal area

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Gear that protects workers from exposure

Reinfection

Becoming infected again with the same pathogen

Resistance

The body’s ability to fight disease

Sanitation

Practices that maintain clean and healthy environments

Standard Precautions

Treating all blood and body fluids as infectious

Sterilization

Destroying all microorganisms including spores

Surgical Asepsis

Sterile technique to remove all microorganisms

Systemic Infection

Infection that spreads through the bloodstream

Transmission

How disease is spread

Vaccine

A product that creates immunity

VRE

Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus Bacteria