CNA Vocab: Block 5

Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)

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

Microorganism

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

Infection

The state resulting from pathogens invading the body and multiplying

Pathogen

A microorganism that is capable of causing infection and disease

Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI)

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

Chain of Infection

Way of describing how disease is transmitted from one being to another.

Bacteria

A one-celled organism including some that can cause disease.

Virus

A pathogen that can grow and reproduce only after infecting a host cell.

Normal Flora

Are bacteria which are found in or on our bodies on a semi-permanent basis without causing disease.

Non-Pathogens

Microorganisms incapable of causing disease

Mucous Membranes

The membranes that line body cavities that open to the outside of the body, such as the linings of the mouth, nose, eyes, rectum, or genitals

Communicable

(of a disease) able to be transmitted from one sufferer to another; contagious or infectious

Asepsis

Medical: refers to practices such as handwashing, that reduce, remove, or control the spread of microorganisms

• “clean technique“

• includes procedures to reduce number of microorganisms and their spread

Surgical: the state of being free of all microorganisms

• Sterile technique

• Eliminates microorganisms and spores

Sterile

Free from bacteria or other living microorganisms; totally clean

Localized Infection

An infection that is localized to a specific part of the body and has local symptoms.

Can spread to a systemic infection

systemic infection

An infection that has spread through the bloodstream and throughout the body with general symptoms.

Causative agents

a pathogenic microorganism that causes disease

Reservoir

a place where a pathogen lives and grows

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 by touching the infected person or their secretions

Indirect Contact

a way of transmitting pathogens by touching something contaminated by the infected person

Portal of Entry

any body opening on an uninfected person that allows pathogens to enter

susceptible host

An uninfected person who could get sick

Transmission

Passage or Transfer

Infectious

Contagious

Standard Precautions

Treating all blood and body fluid as if it is infected

• saliva

• sputum/mucus

• urine

• feces

• semen

• vaginal secretions

• pus

• vomit

Guidelines for Standard Precautions

• wash hands

• wear gloves

• remove gloves immediately after finishing

• immediately wash contaminated skin surfaces

• wear gowns/goggles/masks

• never recap needles or sharps

• bag all contaminated supplies

• dispose of waster properly

When to Wash your Hands

• when arriving to work

• when hands are visibly soiled

• before/after gloves

• after contact with bodily fluids

• before/after feeding

• before getting clean linen/meal trays

• after sneezing/coughing

• before and after makeup

When to use Hand Sanitizer

• Before, between, after all resident contact

• after handling contaminated items

• contact with items in a resident’s room

• picking things up from the floor

• touching your own face/hair/ears/etc..

• contact with pets/animals

Center for Disease Control (CDC)

A government agency under the U.S. department of Health and Human Services that issues information to protect the health of individuals and communities.

Standard Precautions

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

Biohazardous/Biohazard

A risk to human health or the environment arising from biological work, especially with microorganisms.

Contamination

The action or state of making or being made impure by polluting or poisoning.

Cross Contamination

The process by which bacteria or other microorganisms are unintentionally transferred from one substance or object to another, with harmful effects.

Hand Hygiene

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

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

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

Don

To put on

Doff

To remove

Clean

in healthcare, a condition in which objects are not contaminated with pathogens.

Dirty

in healthcare, a condition in which objects have been contaminated with pathogens.

Disinfect

An act or process that destroys most, but not all, pathogens by reducing the pathogen count to a level that is considered not infectious.

Disinfectant

a chemical liquid that destroys bacteria

Disposable

only to be used once and then discarded.

Anti-Microbial

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

Transmission-Based Precautions

a method of infection control used when caring for persons who are infected or suspected of being infected with a disease; also called Isolation Precautions. The three categories are airborne, droplet, and contact.

Airborne Precautions

infectious control measures taken to prevent the spread of pathogens that can be transmitted through the air after being expelled and remain floating in the air for a long time. These measures include using a special mask such as an N95 or HEPA respirator.

Droplet Precautions

infection control measures taken to prevent the spread of pathogens that are spread through droplets in the air that don’t normally travel more than 6 feet. These measures include wearing a face mask during care.

Contact Precautions

precautions used when there is a risk of transmitting or contracting a microorganism from touching an infected object or person.

Isolation

the physical separation of individuals with certain infections from other people to prevent or limit the transmission of disease.

Reverse Isolation

isolation procedures designed to protect a patient from infectious organisms that might be carried by staff or visitors. Patients who have a decreased immune system, usually from chemotherapy, may be laced in reverse isolation.

Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP)

pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause disease in humans.

Hepatitis

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

Tuberculosis (TB)

a highly contagious lung disease caused by a bacterium that is carried on mucous droplets suspended in the air.

COVID-19

a droplet and airborne disease transmitted through droplets and particles produced by an infected person; often characterized by respiratory symptoms and capable of progressing to severe symptoms, even death, especially in people who are older or have underlying health conditions.

Influenza

a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory passages causing fever, severe aching, and catarrh, and often occurring in epidemics.

Multidrug-Resistant Organisms (MDRO’s)

are defined as bacteria that have become resistant to more than one class of antimicrobial agents and usually are resistant to all but one or two commercially available antimicrobial agents, complicating treatment of illnesses they cause.

Shingles

an acute, painful inflammation of the nerve ganglia, with a skin eruption, often forming a girdle around the middle of the body. It is caused by the same virus as chickenpox.

Clostridioides/Clostridium difficile (C. diff)

Bacterial illness that can cause diarrhea and colitis

Exposure Control Plan

Designed to identify in writing, tasks, and procedures, as well as job classifications where occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials occurs.