Chapter 31: Infection Control and Medical Asepsis (FLASHCARDS)

Any disease that can be spread from one individual to another, either directly or indirectly is called a(n):

communicable disease

Transmission through physical touch or contact (e.g., skin-to-skin) is called:

direct contact

Involves a contaminated object or surface that transfers the infection to a susceptible host

indirect contact

Transmission through pathogens that are carried by air droplets and inhaled

airborne transmission

Transmission through larger droplets via coughing or sneezing

droplet transmission

Transmission of disease via animals or insects

vector-borne transmission

The pathogen (virus, bacteria, fungus) that causes a disease is called a(n):

infectious agent

The environment or host where the pathogen lives and multiplies is called a(n):

reservoir

The method by which the pathogen exits the host

portal of exit

The method by which the pathogen is transferred

mode of transmission

The site through which the pathogen enters the new host

portal of entry

An individual vulnerable to infection due to weakened immunity, age, or other factors

susceptible host

Time between exposure to the pathogen and the appearance of symptoms

incubation period

When early symptoms begin to appear, but the disease is not yet at its peak

prodromal stage

When the full-blown symptoms of the disease appear

acute period

The recovery period when symptoms subside and the patient regains strength

convalescence

Preventive measures to assume every patient may be infectious

universal precautions

Frequent hand washing or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers to prevent infection is called:

hand hygiene

Equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause injury or illness

personal protective equipment (PPE)

Regulations by OSHA to protect workers from occupational hazards

OSHA guidelines

Practices to prevent the spread of disease-causing microorganisms

medical asepsis

A sterilization process using steam under pressure to kill all forms of microorganisms

autoclaving

Painful blisters on lips, which turn pustular and then form crusted scabs is a symptom of:

herpes simplex virus

Crops of pruritic vesicular eruptions on the skin, slight fever and headache, malaise are symptoms of:

varicella zoster

Sudden onset of fever, intense headache, nausea, vomiting, sometimes petechial rash, irritability, sluggishness (possible seizures or coma) are symptoms of:

meningitis (bacterial)

Fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of appetite, swollen and tender salivary glands under the ears on one or both sides are symptoms of:

mumps

The incubation period for viral conjunctivitis is approximately:

24 hours to days

Painful blisters on the lips is a symptom of:

herpes simplex virus

Bed rest, increased fluid intake, and antipyretics are recommended for patients with:

influenza

The primary symptom of ____ is skin infections that may look like pimples or boils and can be red, swollen, painful, and full of pus.

methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Which disease is commonly known as whooping cough?

pertussis

Strawberry tongue is a symptom of:

scarlet fever

What are simple parasitic plants that depend on other life forms for a nutritional source?

fungi

The place where conditions are ripe for pathogens to replicate is called the:

reservoir

When a person with a cold coughs or sneezes, the vapor containing the microorganism causing the illness can travel up to ___ feet.

3

A disease reaches its highest point of development in which stage of the infectious disease process?

acute stage

Which component of an exposure control plan includes devices that isolate or remove the blood-borne pathogen hazard from the workplace?

engineering controls

The CDC recommends that you irrigate the eyes with _____ if a person’s blood gets in your eyes.

clean water or saline

Needles should be placed in a _____ container after they have been used.

puncture-proof

If you are putting latex gloves on after hand washing, it is important to avoid using lotions that contain:

mineral oil

When washing your hands, it is recommended that you distribute soap using circular motions constantly and vigorously for ____ seconds.

20

Disinfectants do not always kill:

spores

An autoclave is used for:

sterilization

You should not use any sterile package if it is more than ___ from the time it was sterilized.

30 days

An autoclave exerts approximately 15–30 pounds of steam pressure per square inch at a temperature between ____ degrees Fahrenheit.

250 and 270

Sterilization with a dry heat oven typically takes about:

1-2 hours

True or False: Medical asepsis refers to the practices used to reduce and eliminate pathogens in a healthcare setting.

True

True or False: Sterilization is the process of cleaning instruments to remove dirt and debris.

False

True or False: Hand hygiene is the most important procedure for preventing the spread of infection

True

True or False: Disinfection eliminates all microorganisms, including bacterial spores, from medical equipment.

False

True or False: Standard precautions should be used for all patients regardless of their diagnosis or infection status.

True

True or False: Gloves should always be changed after touching a contaminated surface to prevent cross-contamination.

True

True or False: Needles should always be recapped after use to avoid accidental injury.

False

True or False: A single-use syringe can be reused as long as it is cleaned thoroughly.

False

True or False: Microorganisms can only enter the body through breaks in the skin.

False

True or False: All sharps should be disposed of in puncture-resistant containers immediately after use.

True

A microorganism’s power to produce a disease

virulence

Parasites that depend completely on their host for survival are:

obligate parasites

Single-celled internal parasites that have a true nucleus and survive on living matter

protozoa

The cohabitation of microorganisms that live in or within an organism to provide a natural immunity against certain diseases

normal flora

Multicellular parasites that live on the surface of a host and include scabies and lice

ectoparasites

Microorganisms that need oxygen to grow

aerobes

Microorganisms that grow best in the absence of oxygen

anaerobes

Transmission via a disease-carrying insect, such as a mosquito or tick

vector-borne transmission