Key Terms #12

Airborne precautions

precautions taken to prevent the spread of pathogens through the air

Airborne transmission

transmission method of either airborne droplet nuclei or particles small enough to be inhaled that contain infectious agents that remain infective over time and distance

Asymptomatic

showing no symptoms

Bacteria 

one-celled microorganisms of varying shapes that contain both DNA and RNA 

Bloodborne pathogen

a disease-causing microorganism that is contained in paralysis in muscles

Botulism

potentially deadly illness caused by toxins from bacteria that can result in paralysis in muscles 

Carrier

a mode of transmission of an infectious disease; examples include hands, a sneeze, or an inanimate object

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

US agency that tracks and investigates public health trends and concerns

Chlamydia

Sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis

Chronic hepatitis

the chronic inflammation of the liver that may be the result of long-standing viral hepatitis

Cirrhosis

condition defined as hepatocyte death, fibrosis, and necrosis of the liver

Clinically silent

no apparent signs or symptoms resulting from a disease or disorder; asymptomatic

Clostridium difficile

a spore-forming bacterium that release toxins into the bowel

Colonization

the presence of bacteria on a body surface that does not cause disease in the person

Communicable

capable of being transmitted between persons

Contact precautions

measures used to block the spread of pathogens by either direct or indirect contact

Contact transmission

transference of microorganisms from one infected person to another person by direct touch or by indirect transmission from a contaminated intermediate object or person

Contagious

communicable by contact

Disinfection

the process that inactivates virtually all recognized pathogenic microorganisms except for spores on inanimate objects 

Droplet precautions

precautions that block the spread of pathogens within moist droplets larger than 5 um

Droplet transmission

infection transmission by respiratory droplets carrying infectious pathogens directly from the respiratory tract of the infectious individual to susceptible mucosal surfaces of the recipient, generally over short distances 

Echinococcus granulosus

a parasitic disease of tapeworms that can infect a human

Endocavity sonogram

a sonogram that involves inserting the transducer into a body orifice such as the mouth, anus, or vagina

Enteric precaution

special precautions taken when there is potential for someone to come into contact with infectious waste, such as diarrhea

Epidemic

the rapid spread of disease to a large number of individuals

Fecal-oral route

means of transmission by which infected feces are directly or indirectly ingested

Flora

normal or pathologic bacteria or fungi found within or on an organ

Fungi

microorganisms that require an oxygen-rich environment to live and survive, including both yeasts and molds

Gastroenteritis

inflammation of the stomach and bowel that typically results in watery diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and vomiting

Gonorrhea

sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Healthcare-associated infections

an infection acquired by any means of healthcare delivery in any setting, including home health, ambulatory services, and long-term facilities

Hemoptysis

coughing up blood

Hepatomegaly

enlargement of the liver

High-level chemical disinfectant

a disinfectant used to sterilize endocavity equipment

Histoplasmosis

an infection caused by breathing in spores of a fungus often found in bird and bat droppings

Human immunodeficiency virus

the virus responsible for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

Immunocompromised

a person with an impaired immune system

Indirect transmission

a means of disease transmission by a contaminated objected termed a vector

Infection

a condition that results when microorganisms cause injury to a susceptible host

Infection control precautions

physical measures that are taken to restrain the transmission of infectious diseases

Infectious diseases

diseases that are spread from one person to another

Influenza

viral infection commonly known as the flu

Jaundice

the yellowing f the skin and white (sclera) of the eyes

Kaposi sarcoma

a form of cancer associated with AIDS

Malaria

a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by parasitic protozoa

Measles

a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the measles virus

Medical asepsis

the practices used to render an object or area free of pathogenic microorganisms

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

a type of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that easily colonizes on the skin and transmits from patient to patient by either direct or indirect contact

Microbial intoxication

disease that results when a person ingests a toxin that has been produced by pathogen outside of the body

Microorganisms

living organisms that can only be seen with a microscope

Mode of transmission

the manner in which a microorganisms can be transmitted

Mumps

a viral infection that primarily affects the parotoid glands but can affect other organs

N95 respirator

respirator that can be worn to avoid contracting airborne pathogens such as tuberculosis

Nosocomial infections

healthcare-acquired infections

Pandemic

an epidemic of an infectious disease that has spread to a large human population across a large region of the world 

Parasite

an organism that lives in or on another organisms from which it gathers its nourishment 

Pathogenicity

the ability of an organism to cause disease

Pathogens

disease-causing organisms

Personal protective equipment

items that are worn by healthcare professional to protect them from exposure or contact with infectious agents

Portal hypertension

hypertension in the portal venous system of the liver

Portal of entry

route for a pathogen to enter the body, such as a wound, mucous membrane, and the mouth, nose, and genitourinary tract of someone who is susceptible to infection

Portal of exit

route for a pathogen to exit the body, such as the nose, throat, mouth, ear, intestinal tract, or urinary tract or an open wound

Probe cover

a latex or nonlatex drape in which the ultrasound transducer is placed before a sonographic examination

Pseudomembranous colitis

an infection of the large intestine caused by Clostridium difficile bacterium and resulting in infectious diarrhea

Pulmonary tuberculosis

tuberculosis found within the lungs and transmitted via airborne transmission

Purified protein derivative skin test

type of skin test used for detecting tuberculosis

Reservoir

a human or animal, plant, water, food, or any combination of organic material that can support the growth of a pathogen

Sanitization

the lowest level of infection control that includes the use of soap or detergent, warm water, and manual friction

Sepsis

a life-threatening immune response that is the result of a bacterial infection

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)

a life-threatening form of pneumonia that results from a virus 

Splenomegaly

enlargement of the spleen

Spores

bacterial seeds that are resistant to many attempted forms of destruction and thus remain dormant for a long period of time until optimal growth situations arise

Standard precautions

measures for reducing the risks of microorganism’s transmission from both recognized and unrecognized sources

Sterilization

the complete destruction of all microorganisms, including spores, on inanimate objects

Streptococci

a group of bacteria that cause infection in some parts of the body and on the skin

Susceptible host

a person whose body cannot repel the pathogen

Tetanus

a bacterium found in soil, saliva, dust, and manure that causes a serious disease affecting the nervous system

Thrush

a yeast infection of the tongue, inner cheek, lip, or gums that causes white patches to develop within the mouth and on the tounge 

Toxoplasmosis

a disease that results from an infection by a parasite that can be found in cat feces

Transmission-based precautions

precautions taken based on airborne, droplet, or contact transmission

Trichomoniasis

a sexually transmitted disease caused by a parasite that leads to foul-smelling vaginal discharge, genital itching, and painful urination

Tuberculosis

a bacterial infection that can affect many different organs of the body

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE)

an antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection found within the stool of patients who have been colonized

Vector

a contaminated object such as insects, food and water, drinking glasses, computer keyboards, infected medical equipment, etc.

Viral hepatitis

inflammation of the cells of the liver due to a viral infection

Viruses

the smallest organisms known to cause disease in humans