Asepsis & Infection Control

100 vocabulary flashcards covering infection control concepts, terms, and practices from the video notes.

Asepsis

Practices that prevent infection by removing or reducing contamination and breaking the chain of infection.

Infection

A state of disease caused by the presence of pathogens in or on the body.

Pathogen

A disease-causing microorganism.

Reservoir

A place where pathogens live and multiply (humans, animals, soil, water, inanimate objects).

Portal of Exit

The route by which pathogens leave the reservoir.

Portal of Entry

The route by which pathogens enter a new host.

Susceptible Host

An individual at risk of infection due to weakened defenses or immune status.

Chain of Infection

The sequence: infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, means of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host.

Means of Transmission

Ways pathogens move from reservoir to host (direct contact, indirect contact, vector, fomite, droplet, airborne).

Direct Contact

Transmission through physical contact with an infected person or their secretions.

Indirect Contact

Transmission via contaminated objects or surfaces.

Vector

A living organism that transmits pathogens.

Fomite

An inanimate object that can harbor and transmit pathogens.

Droplet

Large respiratory droplets that travel short distances during coughing or sneezing.

Airborne

Small particles that remain suspended in the air and can travel longer distances.

Hand Hygiene

Washing hands or using hand antisepsis to remove or kill pathogens.

Endemic

A disease or condition regularly found among particular people or in a certain area.

Pandemic

A global outbreak of a disease.

Bacteria

A significant and prevalent group of microorganisms in hospital settings; many pathogens are bacteria.

Virus

The smallest infectious agents; can cause a wide range of diseases.

Fungi

Plant-like organisms found in air, soil, and water; can cause infections in susceptible hosts.

Parasites

Organisms that live on or in a host and rely on it for nourishment.

Cocci

Spherical-shaped bacteria.

Bacilli

Rod-shaped bacteria.

Spirochetes

Corkscrew-shaped bacteria.

Gram-Positive

Bacteria that stain purple with Gram stain due to thick peptidoglycan layer.

Gram-Negative

Bacteria that stain pink; thinner peptidoglycan layer and outer membrane.

Aerobic

Organisms that require oxygen to grow.

Anaerobic

Organisms that do not require oxygen for growth.

Incubation Period

Time between infection and onset of symptoms.

Prodromal Stage

Early infectious period with nonspecific symptoms; often highly contagious.

Acute (Full) Stage

Stage where infection symptoms are clear and specific.

Convalescent Period

Recovery period when symptoms subside and health improves.

Inflammation

Body's defensive response to infection or injury to neutralize the pathogen and begin repair.

Vascular Phase

Initial inflammatory phase where vessels constrict and then dilate, causing redness and heat.

Cellular Stage

Leukocytes migrate to the injury site to fight infection and repair tissue.

Histamine

Chemical mediator that increases vascular permeability and causes redness, heat, and swelling.

Neutrophils

First responders among WBCs that phagocytose pathogens and debris.

Monocytes

Phagocytes that become macrophages and help in cleanup and defense.

Lymphocytes

WBCs responsible for humoral and cell-mediated immunity.

Eosinophils

WBCs elevated in allergic reactions and parasitic infections.

Basophils

WBCs involved in inflammatory responses; usually small in number.

Phagocytosis

Process of engulfing and digesting pathogens.

ESR

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate; elevated in inflammation.

Humoral Immunity

Antibody-mediated immune response against antigens.

Antibody

Protein produced by the body in response to an antigen.

Antigen

Foreign material recognized by the immune system.

Cell-Mediated Immunity

T-cell–driven defense against infected or abnormal cells.

Immune Memory

The immune system remembers antigens for faster future responses.

Leukocytosis

Elevated white blood cell count.

Differential Count

Percentage of each type of white blood cell in a sample.

WBC Count

Total white blood cell count in a sample.

Cultures

Laboratory growth of pathogens from samples to identify infection.

Antibiotics/Antimicrobials

Drugs used to treat bacterial and other infections.

MDRO

Multidrug-Resistant Organisms that are resistant to multiple antimicrobial drugs.

MRSA

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; resistant to methicillin and related antibiotics.

VISA

Vancomycin-Intermediate Staphylococcus aureus; reduced susceptibility to vancomycin.

VRSA

Vancomycin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; resistant to vancomycin.

VRE

Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci; resistant to vancomycin.

CRE

Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae; highly resistant Gram-negative bacteria.

CRAB

Acinetobacter baumannii with carbapenem resistance.

CDI

Clostridioides difficile infection; causes severe diarrhea and colitis.

HAIs

Healthcare-Associated Infections acquired in health care settings.

CAUTI

Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection.

SSI

Surgical Site Infection.

CLABSI

Central-Line–Associated Bloodstream Infection.

PPE

Personal Protective Equipment used to protect staff and patients.

Gloves

Barrier protection for hands; worn during patient care.

Gown

Protective clothing barrier to protect skin and clothing.

Mask

Face covering to protect mucous membranes from exposure.

Eye Protection

Goggles or face shield to protect eyes from splashes.

Respiratory Hygiene/Cough Etiquette

Measures to prevent respiratory pathogen spread by coughing or sneezing.

Safe Injection Practices

Techniques to prevent infections from injections (single-dose vials, sterile equipment).

Sharps Safety

Safe handling and disposal of needles and sharps.

Needle Recapping Device

Device to allow one-handed recapping to prevent needle-stick injuries.

One-Handed Scoop Technique

Recapping technique using one hand to reduce needlestick risk.

Five Moments for Hand Hygiene

WHO framework: before touching patient, before clean procedures, after body fluid exposure, after touching patient, after touching patient surroundings.

Standard Precautions

Infection prevention measures for all patients, regardless of infection status.

Transmission-Based Precautions

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

Airborne Precautions

Private room with negative pressure and respirator use for entry.

Droplet Precautions

Private room; mask; keep distance; protect caregivers and visitors."

Contact Precautions

Private room; PPE; dedicated equipment for MDROs.

Private Room

A room for one patient to prevent cross-contamination.

Negative Pressure

Air pressure setup to prevent contaminated air from leaving the room.

Environmental Controls

Cleaning, disinfection, and facility measures to reduce pathogens.

Hand Hygiene Technique

Proper method for handwashing or using antiseptics to remove pathogens.

Clean Technique

Medical asepsis approach to reduce microorganisms.

Medical Asepsis

Clean technique intended to reduce microorganisms and prevent spread.

Surgical Asepsis

Sterile technique designed to keep an area free from all microorganisms.

Sterile Technique

Technique to achieve complete absence of microorganisms for invasive procedures.

Dry Intact Dressing

A dressing that remains dry and intact to reduce infection risk.

CDC Isolation Guidelines

2007 guidelines outlining Standard and Transmission-Based precautions for infection control.

Box 25-2 Basic Principles of Medical Asepsis

Key principles for maintaining medical asepsis in patient care.

Box 25-4 Summary of Isolation Precautions

Summary of isolation precautions and when to use them.

Home Teaching for Medical Asepsis

Educating patients and families at home about aseptic practices.

Nutritional Status & Infection Risk

Adequate nutrition supports immune function and may reduce infection risk.

Immunizations

Vaccinations that reduce the risk of infectious disease.

Patient Education for Infection Control

Teaching patients signs of infection and hygiene practices at home.

Dry Dressing Care

Maintaining dry dressings to prevent infection at wound sites.

Health Care–Associated Infections (HAIs)

Infections acquired while receiving care in a health care setting.