Infection Prevention and Control - Hartman

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards based on the Hartman lecture notes regarding infection prevention, the chain of infection, PPE, and bloodborne pathogens.

Infection prevention

The set of methods practiced in healthcare facilities to prevent and control the spread of disease.

Microorganism (MO)

A living thing or organism that is so small that it can be seen only under a microscope; also called microbe.

Infection

The state resulting from pathogens invading the body and multiplying.

Pathogens

Microorganisms that are capable of causing infection and disease.

Localized infection

An infection that is limited to a specific location in the body and has local symptoms.

Systemic infection

An infection that travels through the bloodstream and is spread throughout the body, causing general symptoms.

Healthcare-associated infection (HAI)

An infection acquired in a healthcare setting during the delivery of medical care.

Chain of infection

A way of describing how disease is transmitted from one human being to another.

Causative agent

A pathogenic microorganism that causes disease.

Reservoir

A place where a pathogen lives and multiplies.

Portal of exit

Any body opening on an infected person that allows pathogens to leave.

Mode of transmission

The method of describing how a pathogen travels.

Direct contact

A way of transmitting pathogens through touching the infected person or his secretions.

Indirect contact

A way of transmitting pathogens from touching something contaminated by the infected person.

Portal of entry

Any body opening on an uninfected person that allows pathogens to enter.

Mucous membranes

Membranes that line body cavities that open to the outside of the body, such as the linings of the mouth, nose, eyes, rectum, and genitals.

Susceptible host

An uninfected person who could become sick.

Medical asepsis

Measures used to reduce and prevent the spread of pathogens.

Surgical asepsis

The state of being free of all microorganisms; also called sterile technique.

Nonpathogenic microorganism

A type of microorganism that is incapable of causing or unable to cause infection or disease.

Pathogenic microorganism

A type of microorganism that is capable of causing infection or disease; it is also called a pathogen.

Bacteria

Single-celled microorganisms that lack nuclei and organized cell structures; can exist independently or as parasites.

Virus

Small packages of DNA or RNA encased in protein shells that invade a host cell and incorporate themselves into the host cell's DNA.

Fungi

Multi-celled or single-celled organisms that receive nourishment by secreting enzymes that break down surrounding cells; examples include yeasts and molds.

Parasite

An organism that lives on or in an organism of a different species.

Disease

Occurs when tissue that has been damaged due to the entry and multiplication of microorganisms results in clinical signs and symptoms of a recognizable process.

Host

An organism or cell on or in which a microorganism lives or feeds.

Malnutrition

Poor nutrition due to improper diet.

Dehydration

A serious condition resulting from an inadequate amount of fluid in the body.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

A federal government agency that makes rules to protect workers from hazards on the job.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

A federal government agency that issues guidelines to protect and improve the health of individuals and communities.

Standard Precautions

A method of infection prevention in which all blood, body fluids, nonintact skin, and mucous membranes are treated as if they were infected with an infectious disease.

Sharps

Needles or other sharp objects.

Sputum

Mucus coughed up.

Hand hygiene

Washing hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rubs.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Equipment that helps protect employees from serious workplace injuries or illnesses resulting from contact with workplace hazards.

Don

To put on.

Doff

To remove.

Perineal care

Care of the genital and anal area.

Nonintact skin

Skin that is broken by abrasions, cuts, rashes, acne, pimples, lesions, surgical incisions, or boils.

Clean

In health care, a condition in which an object has not been contaminated with pathogens.

Dirty

In health care, a condition in which an object has been contaminated with pathogens.

Disinfection

A process that destroys most, but not all, pathogens; it reduces the pathogen count to a level that is considered not infectious.

Sterilization

A cleaning measure used to decrease the spread of pathogens and disease by destroying all microorganisms, including those that form spores.

Disposable

To be used only once and then discarded.

Transmission-Based Precautions

A method of infection prevention used when caring for persons who are infected or may be infected with certain infectious diseases.

Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs)

Microorganisms, mostly bacteria, that are resistant to one or more antimicrobial agents that are commonly used for treatment.

Antimicrobial

An agent that destroys, resists, or prevents the development of pathogens.

Isolate

To keep something separate, or by itself.

Bloodborne pathogens

Microorganisms found in human blood that can cause infection and disease in humans.

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)

The virus that attacks the body’s immune system and gradually disables it; eventually can cause AIDS.

Hepatitis

Inflammation of the liver caused by certain viruses and other factors, such as alcohol abuse, some medications, and trauma.

Jaundice

A condition in which the skin, whites of the eyes, and mucous membranes appear yellow.

Bloodborne Pathogens Standard

Federal law that requires that healthcare facilities protect employees from bloodborne health hazards.

Exposure control plan

Plan designed to eliminate or reduce employee exposure to infectious material.

Tuberculosis (TB)

A highly contagious disease caused by a bacterium, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, that is carried on mucous droplets suspended in the air.

Latent TB infection (LTBI)

Type of tuberculosis in which the person carries the disease but does not show symptoms and cannot infect others.

TB disease

Type of tuberculosis in which the person shows symptoms of the disease and can spread it to others.

Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB)

Type of tuberculosis that is caused by an organism that is resistant to medication that is used to treat TB.

Resistant

A state in which drugs no longer work to kill specific bacteria.

Phlegm

Thick mucus from the respiratory passage.

SARS-CoV-2

The new coronavirus identified in Wuhan, China in 2019 that causes COVID-19.

MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)

Bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) that have developed resistance to the antibiotic methicillin.

Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE)

Bacteria (enterococci) that have developed resistance to the antibiotic vancomycin.

Clostridioides difficile (C. diff)

A bacterium that is spread by spores in feces that are difficult to kill; it causes symptoms such as diarrhea and nausea and can lead to serious inflammation of the colon.