CMA ch 34

aerobes

microorganisms that need oxygen to grow

airborne

transported or carried through the air

anaerobes

microorganisms having the ability to live without oxygen

asepsis

a condition free of organisms

autoclave

a pressurized device designed to heat aqueous solutions above their boiling point to achieve sterilization

bacteria

unicellular microorganisms concerned with the fermentation and putrefaction of matte: disease causing agents

biohazardous

any material that has been in contact with body fluid and is potentially capable of transmitting disease

blood borne

capable of being transported in blood

clinical laboratory improvement amendments (CLIA)

legislation dealing with the operation of a clinical laboratory

coma

an abnormal deep stupor from which a person cannot be aroused by external stimuli

communicable

capable of being transmitted from one person or species to another; also known as contagious

disinfection

the process of applying antimicrobial agents to nonliving objects to destroy microorganisms

droplet infection

a disease that results from contamination with water-based microorganisms

exudative

pertaining to any fluid that filters from the circulatory system into lesions or areas of inflammation

fecal

pertaining to feces

flora

plant life as distinguished from animal life; plant life occurring or adapted for living in a specific environment, as flora in the intestines

fomite

an object, such as clothing, towels, or utensils, that may harbor a disease agent, and is also capable of transmitting it

fungi

simple parasitic plants, such as yeast or mold, that depend on other life forms for a nutritional source

hygiene

that study of health and observance of health rules

incineration

Burn, setting afire

incubation period

the interval between exposure to infection and the appearance of the first symptom

invasive

diagnostic methods involving entry into living tissue

malaise

a feeling of discomfort or uneasiness

microorganism

a microscopic living body not perceivable by the naked eye

morphology

a branch of biology dealing with the form and structure of organisms

nits

the egg of a louse or other parasitic insect

obligate

to bind legally or morally

occupational safety and health administration (OSHA)

an agency of the US department of labor. its mission is to prevent work related injuries, illnesses, and deaths

parasites

organisms that live in or on another organism without rendering it any service in return

pathogens

any microorganism or substance capable of producing a disease

personal protective equipment (PPE)

protective clothing, goggles, or gloves designed to protect the wearers body or clothing from contamination

petechial

small, purplish, hemorrhagic spots on the skin

pH

a measure of acidity or alkalinity

protozoa

a single cell animal

pruritic

pertaining to an itching sensation

pustular

pertaining to a collection of pus that has accumulated in a cavity formed by the tissue on the basis of an infectious process

resusutation

an emergency first aid procedure

rickettsiae

any of a family of rod shaped, coccoid, or diplococcus shaped, often pleomorphic gram- negative bacteria that are intracellular parasites of anthropods and when transmitted to humans cause various diseases

sanitization

the process of applying antimicrobial agents to nonliving objects to destroy microorganisms

seizures

a sudden attack of pain, disease, or certain symptoms

serrations

etchings located on the blades of an instrument to keep it from slipping

shelf life

the length of time that sterile items are given before they are considered unsuitable as maintaining sterility

spores

hard capsules formed by certain bacteria that allow them to resist prolonged exposure to heat

standard precautions

guidelines for the prevention of infectious diseases and nosocomial infections established by the centers for disease control and prevention

sterilization

the elimination of all transmissible agents from a surface, a piece of equipment, food, or biologic culture medium, including spores

susceptible

having little resistance to a disease or foreign protein

vector

an organism that transmits a pathogen

vigilant

alertly watchful especially to avoid danger or harm

virulence

the disease-evoking power of a pathogen

viruses

very simple, frequently pathogenic, microorganisms capable of replicating within living cells

vulnerable

liable to injury or hurt, capable of being wounded

PPE

specialized clothing or equipment worn by an employee for protection against infectious materials

OSHA

specifies when PPE is indicated

CDC

recommends when, what and how to use PPE

OSHA

issues workplace health regulations