Patient Care Tech Module 2 -4

Disease transmission

Spread of infectious agents between individuals.

Personal protective equipment

Gear used to protect against exposure risks.

Types of precautions

Measures taken to prevent disease spread.

Bloodborne pathogens standard

Regulations for handling bloodborne infectious agents.

Equipment sanitization

Process of cleaning to remove contaminants.

Disinfection

Killing of pathogens on surfaces or objects.

Sterilization

Complete destruction of all microorganisms and spores.

Exposure control plan

Strategy to minimize risk of exposure incidents.

Biohazard material disposal

Safe disposal of hazardous biological waste.

Needlestick injury protocol

Steps to follow after accidental needlestick exposure.

Antiseptic decontamination

Using substances like iodine to clean wounds.

Sharps injury log

Record of incidents involving sharp objects.

Postexposure prophylaxis

Preventive treatment after potential exposure to pathogens.

HIV testing

Screening for Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection.

HBV immunization

Vaccination against Hepatitis B Virus.

Infection control practices

Methods to prevent infection in healthcare settings.

Accidental exposure examples

Needlestick, splash, or cut from contaminated instruments.

Detergent and water cleaning

Initial cleaning step before disinfection process.

Alcohol-based cleaner

Disinfectant containing alcohol for sanitizing surfaces.

1:10 bleach solution

Dilution ratio for effective disinfection with bleach.

Contact and dry time

Duration surfaces must remain wet for effectiveness.

Medical equipment sterilization methods

Techniques like steam, heat, and chemicals used.

Training for employees

Education on bloodborne pathogen safety standards.

Labeling of hazardous substances

Marking dangerous materials for safety awareness.

Personal protective equipment

Gear worn to minimize exposure to hazards.

Types of precautions

Methods to prevent disease spread in healthcare.

Bloodborne pathogens standard

Regulations to prevent exposure to bloodborne diseases.

Equipment sanitization

Process of cleaning equipment to remove contaminants.

Disinfection

Killing of most pathogens on surfaces or objects.

Sterilization

Complete elimination of all microorganisms from items.

Exposure control plan

Strategy to minimize employee exposure to hazards.

Biohazard material disposal

Safe disposal of materials that pose biological risks.

NIOSH

Agency focused on occupational safety and health.

Sharps containers

Specialized containers for safe disposal of sharps.

Functionality of sharps containers

Must be leak-proof, puncture-resistant, and secure.

Accessibility of sharps containers

Should be easy to reach and operate.

Visibility of sharps containers

Must display fill level and biohazard symbol clearly.

Accommodation of sharps containers

Designed for minimal training and one-handed use.

Needlestick injuries

Injuries caused by accidental puncture from needles.

One-handed scoop method

Technique to safely recap needles using one hand.

Engineering controls

Physical changes to workplace to reduce exposure risk.

Record-keeping requirements

Documentation of incidents and safety practices.

HBV vaccination

Vaccine for Hepatitis B for at-risk employees.

Sharps disposal

Immediate disposal of sharps into designated containers.

Impenetrable sharps container

Container that prevents retrieval of disposed items.

PPE donning and doffing

Wearing before and removing after patient contact.

Infection Signs

Symptoms indicating potential infection presence.

Droplet Transmission

Infection spread through respiratory droplets.

Airborne Transmission

Infection spread through airborne particles.

Contact Precautions

Measures for infections spread by direct contact.

Direct Contact

Physical interaction with an infected person.

Indirect Contact

Transmission via contaminated surfaces or items.

Diphtheria

Bacterial infection affecting throat and nose.

Herpes Simplex

Viral infection causing sores on skin.

Scabies

Skin infestation by mites causing itching.

Hepatitis A

Liver infection caused by hepatitis A virus.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Common virus causing respiratory infections.

Wound Infections

Infections occurring in broken skin areas.

MRSA

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

VRE

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci, resistant to antibiotics.

C. diff

Bacterial infection causing severe diarrhea.

Gown Usage

Wear gown before gloves; replace between encounters.

Shoe Covers

Protective covers for shoes in infectious settings.

Head Covers

Protective gear for head in high-risk areas.

Eye Protection

Goggles or shields to protect eyes from splashes.

Face Mask

Worn to cover nose and mouth during procedures.

Standard Precautions

Basic infection control practices for all patients.

Glove Protocol

Wash hands before and after glove use.

Glove Change Protocol

Replace gloves between different procedures on the same patient.

Proper Glove Fit

Ensure gloves fit securely to prevent contamination.

Glove Inspection

Check gloves for holes or rips before use.

Venipuncture Safety

Never remove glove tips to palpate veins.

Glove Removal Technique

Remove gloves by turning them inside out.

Biohazard Disposal

Dispose of gloves in designated biohazard containers.

Chain of Infection

Six links must connect for disease transmission.

Infectious Agent

Pathogen present for disease transmission to occur.

Susceptible Host

Individual who can contract the disease.

Portal of Entry

Pathway for pathogens to enter a host.

Reservoir

Place where pathogens live and multiply.

Portal of Exit

Pathway for pathogens to leave the host.

Mode of Transmission

How pathogens are spread between hosts.

Cough Etiquette

Cover mouth/nose when coughing or sneezing.

Hand Hygiene

Wash hands after contact with respiratory secretions.

Mask Offering

Provide masks to those coughing or sneezing.

Social Distance

Maintain 0.9 meters (3 feet) distance from sick individuals.

Sterile Field Rules

Nonsterile persons must not lean over sterile fields.

Sterile Gown Protocol

Gown is sterile from waist up, anterior side.

Unattended Sterile Field

Leaving a sterile field unattended contaminates it.

Contaminated Field Exposure

Sterile fields exposed to air become contaminated.

Contamination Indicators

Edges and below waist level of fields are contaminated.

Medical asepsis

Reduces pathogen numbers to prevent infection.

Surgical asepsis

Eliminates all microorganisms from an area.

Disease transmission

Spread of pathogens from one host to another.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Gear worn to minimize exposure to hazards.

Types of precautions

Strategies to prevent disease transmission.

Bloodborne pathogens

Infectious microorganisms in human blood.

Standard precautions

Basic infection prevention practices for all patients.

Equipment sanitization

Cleansing to remove dirt and microbes.

Disinfection

Process to eliminate many pathogens on surfaces.

Sterilization

Complete destruction of all microorganisms.