Asepsis & Infection Control

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions from the Asepsis and Infection Control lecture.

Asepsis

Practice of reducing or eliminating microorganisms to prevent infection.

Infectious agent

Bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites capable of causing infection.

Reservoir

Natural habitat where the infectious agent lives, grows, or multiplies.

Portal of exit

Route by which an infectious agent leaves its reservoir.

Mode of transmission

How an infectious agent spreads (direct contact, indirect contact, airborne).

Portal of entry

Route by which the infectious agent enters a new host.

Susceptible host

Individual at risk of infection due to weakened defenses.

Direct contact transmission

Transfer of pathogens via physical contact between source and host.

Indirect contact transmission

Transfer via contaminated objects or surfaces (fomites).

Airborne transmission

Spread of microorganisms through the air via aerosols or droplet nuclei.

Bacteria

Single-celled microorganisms; examples include E. coli, Enterococcus, Pseudomonas, Staph.

Viruses

Infectious agents like Hep B, HIV, and the common cold; require host cells.

Fungi

Organisms such as yeasts and molds that can cause infection.

Parasites

Infectious organisms such as ticks and malaria parasites.

HAIs (nosocomial infections)

Infections acquired in healthcare settings; about 2 million annually in the US.

MRSA

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; resistant to many antibiotics.

VRSA

Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

VISA

Vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus.

VRE

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus.

C. diff (Clostridioides difficile)

Bacterium causing diarrhea and infection, often after antibiotics.

Candida auris

Emerging multidrug-resistant fungus; difficult to diagnose and control; persists on surfaces.

Standard precautions

Infection prevention practices applied to all patients.

Transmission-based precautions

Additional precautions for known or suspected infections (contact, droplet, airborne).

Contact precautions

Private room or cohort; PPE before entering; dedicated equipment.

Droplet precautions

Private room; PPE (gloves, gown); mask; limit exposure within about 3 feet.

Airborne precautions

Negative-pressure room; N95 respirator (or PAPR); gloves, gown; door kept closed.

PPE

Personal protective equipment: gloves, gown, mask/respirator, eye protection.

N95 respirator

Particulate respirator that filters at least 95% of airborne particles.

Hand hygiene

Washing hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand rub to remove/kill pathogens.

Five Moments for Hand Hygiene

Before touching a patient; before aseptic task; after body fluid exposure; after touching a patient; after touching patient surroundings.

Surgical asepsis

Sterile technique that eliminates microorganisms for invasive procedures.

Medical asepsis

Clean technique that reduces microorganisms to prevent spread.

ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate)

Laboratory marker of inflammation; non-specific indicator of infection.

Leukocytosis

Elevated white blood cell count, often indicating infection or inflammation.

Neutropenia

Low white blood cell count; increased infection risk.

Immunization

Vaccination or natural immunity that protects against disease.

Immunocompromised

Weakened immune system; higher risk for infection.

Antigen

Foreign substance that elicits an immune response.

Antibody

Protein produced in response to an antigen; part of humoral immunity.

Humoral immunity

Antibody-mediated immune response.

Cell-mediated immunity

T-cell–mediated immune response.

Invasive devices

Medical devices (e.g., catheters) that breach barriers and raise infection risk.

Antibiotic stewardship

Coordinated efforts to optimize antibiotic use and reduce resistance.

Isolation

Nursing practices to prevent spread of infectious agents when needed.

Cough etiquette

Measures to prevent respiratory spread (covering cough, using tissues, mask when needed).

Negative pressure room

Room with lower pressure that helps contain airborne pathogens.

Private vs semi-private room

Private room for infectious patients; semi-private for non-identical risks or space constraints.

Closed-loop hand hygiene compliance

Adherence to hand hygiene practices to prevent transmission (concept referenced in lecture).