Comprehensive Terminology Review: Infection Control, Immunity, Integumentary, Burns, Urinary, and Circulatory Systems

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the notes across infection control, immunity, skin disorders, burns, urinary system, and blood/circulatory disorders.

Hand hygiene

Act of cleaning hands to remove or destroy microorganisms, using soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizer, to prevent infection transmission.

Disinfection

Process of eliminating most or all pathogenic microorganisms from inanimate objects or surfaces; not always sterile.

Sterilization

Process that destroys all forms of microbial life, including spores.

Antiseptics

Chemical agents applied to living tissue to reduce risk of infection; not used for sterilizing equipment.

Fomites

Inanimate objects that can harbor pathogens and facilitate transmission.

Airborne transmission

Spread of infectious agents via aerosolized particles that remain suspended in air and can be inhaled.

Droplet transmission

Spread via large respiratory droplets that travel short distances and deposit on mucous membranes.

Indirect contact

Transmission via contaminated hands, objects, food, or surfaces (fomite) rather than direct contact.

Direct contact

Physical transfer of pathogens through touching an infectious lesion or body fluids.

Aerosol transmission

Transmission by small particles from the respiratory tract that stay suspended and travel farther than droplets.

Vector-borne transmission

Spread of disease through an intermediate host such as an insect or animal.

Virus

A noncellular pathogen that requires a host cell to replicate; consists of nucleic acid and protein coat.

Bacteria

Prokaryotic single-celled organisms with cell walls; do not require living tissue to survive.

Fungi

Eukaryotic organisms that can cause mycotic infections; found in the environment.

Protozoa

Unicellular eukaryotic parasites; lack cell walls and can live independently.

Helminths

Parasitic worms (flatworms and roundworms) that cause infection.

HAIs (nosocomial infections)

Infections acquired in health care settings, often associated with invasive devices.

Normal flora

Resident microorganisms normally present on body surfaces; can cause opportunistic infections if defenses are compromised.

Opportunistic infections

Infections caused by normal flora when host defenses are weakened.

Leukopenia

Low white blood cell count; increased infection risk.

Leukocytosis

Elevated white blood cell count; usually indicates infection or inflammation.

T cells

Lymphocytes central to cell-mediated adaptive immunity; mature in the thymus.

B cells

Lymphocytes that produce antibodies; mature in the bone marrow.

Lymph nodes

Secondary lymphoid organs where lymphocytes encounter antigens and become activated.

Adaptive immunity

Specific immune response involving T and B cells with memory.

Antigen-presenting cells (APCs)

Cells (e.g., dendritic cells) that display pathogen fragments to T cells to initiate activation.

Germinal centers

Areas in lymph nodes where B cells mature and refine antibody specificity.

Somatic hypermutation

Mutations in antibody genes in germinal centers increasing antibody affinity.

Class switching

Change of antibody class/isotype to tailor immune response.

Type I hypersensitivity

IgE-mediated allergic reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis, hay fever) with mast cell histamine release.

Type II hypersensitivity

Cytotoxic hypersensitivity; IgG/IgM target cells (e.g., ABO incompatibility) causing lysis.

Type III hypersensitivity

Immune complex-mediated; antigen–antibody deposits cause inflammation and vasculitis.

Type IV hypersensitivity

Cell-mediated (delayed) hypersensitivity; T cells mediate damage (e.g., contact dermatitis).

Macule

Flat, non-palpable skin lesion that is discolored.

Papule

Small, raised, solid skin lesion.

Nodule

Palpable, elevated lesion larger than a papule.

Pustule

Elevated skin lesion filled with pus.

Vesicle (blister)

Small, fluid-filled elevated skin lesion.

Plaque

Raised, flat-topped skin lesion with a broad surface.

Crust

Dried exudate on the skin.

Lichenification

Thickened, dry, rough skin from chronic scratching.

Keloid

Raised scar that extends beyond the wound margins.

Fissure

Linear crack or tear in the skin.

Ulcer

Loss of tissue with an exposed cavity; may weep or bleed.

Erosion

Partial-thickness skin loss affecting the epidermis.

Comedone

Plug of sebum and keratin in a hair follicle (blackhead/whitehead).

First-degree burn

Involves only the epidermis; redness, swelling, mild pain; usually heals without scarring.

Second-degree burn

Involves epidermis and dermis; red, swollen, vesicular; painful; may scar.

Third/Fourth-degree burn

Full-thickness burns with eschar; may have little pain early but cause severe systemic effects.

Eschar

Black, dead tissue that forms over a severely burned area.

Hypermetabolism (burn healing)

Increased metabolic rate during the healing process after a burn.

Infection in extensive burns

Infection is the leading cause of death in burns involving large surface areas.

Kidneys’ functions

Regulate blood pressure; produce erythropoietin; balance fluids, electrolytes, and acid–base; remove waste via urination.

Oliguria

Decreased urine output.

Flank pain

Pain in the side between the abdomen and back, common in kidney issues.

Edema

Excess fluid accumulation in tissues.

Hyperkalemia

Elevated potassium level in the blood.

Metabolic acidosis

Acid buildup due to reduced kidney function or loss of bicarbonate.

Nephron

Functional filtration unit of the kidney.

GFR (glom­erular filtration rate)

A measure of kidney function and renal disease staging.

EPO (erythropoietin)

Hormone that stimulates red blood cell production.

UTIs (urinary tract infections)

Infections of the urinary system, most commonly by E. coli.

Cystitis

Bladder infection.

Pyelonephritis

Kidney infection.

Urolithiasis / Nephrolithiasis / Renal calculi

Stone formation in the urinary tract or kidneys.

Calcium stones

Most common type of kidney stone, often due to calcium buildup.

Uric acid stones

Kidney stones formed from uric acid.

Hydration and analgesia for stones

Treat kidney stones with fluids, pain relief, and stone passage or removal if lodged.

Blood components

Plasma and formed elements (RBCs, WBCs, platelets) in blood.

Plasma

The liquid component of blood containing proteins and anticoagulants.

Albumin

Plasma protein that maintains oncotic (osmotic) pressure.

Fibrinogen

Clotting protein in plasma.

Hemoglobin

Oxygen-carrying protein in RBCs; composed of heme and globin.

Heme

Iron-containing component of hemoglobin.

Globin

Protein portion of hemoglobin.

RBCs (erythrocytes)

Cells that transport oxygen; produced in bone marrow; life span ~120 days.

Vitamin B12 and folic acid

Vitamins essential for red blood cell production.

WBCs (leukocytes)

Immune system cells that defend against infection.

Leukocytosis

Elevated WBC count indicating infection or inflammation.

Thrombocytes (platelets)

Cell fragments essential for blood clotting.

Thrombocytopenia

Low platelet count increasing risk of bleeding.

Sickle cell disease

Genetic disorder with misshapen hemoglobin; painful crises, anemia; more common in people of African descent.

DVT (deep vein thrombosis)

Formation of a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the legs.

Thrombus

A stationary blood clot within a vessel.

Embolus

A traveling clot or particle that can lodge elsewhere and block vessels.

Pulmonary embolism

Blockage of a pulmonary artery usually by an embolus, causing sudden shortness of breath and chest symptoms.