Medical Laboratory Assistant/Technician Program

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary related to sterilization, disinfection, and laboratory safety as outlined in the Medical Laboratory Assistant/Technician Program.

Sterilization

The process of killing or destroying all microorganisms, including bacterial spores.

Disinfection

The process of destroying pathogenic organisms, but not necessarily all microorganisms or bacterial spores.

Sanitization

The process of reducing the number of microorganisms to a level considered safe.

Autoclave

A heavy metal chamber that uses high pressure and high temperature steam to sterilize materials.

Moist Heat Sterilization

A method of sterilization using steam under pressure, typically in an autoclave.

Dry Heat Sterilization

A method using dry heat to kill bacteria by oxidation and denaturing proteins.

Biosafety Hood

A ventilated enclosure that provides a safe environment for handling pathogenic agents.

Risk Group 1

Pathogens that pose a low individual and community risk.

Risk Group 2

Pathogens with moderate individual risk but low community risk.

Risk Group 3

Pathogens that pose high individual risk and low community risk.

Risk Group 4

Pathogens that pose high individual risk and high community risk, like Ebola.

Antisepsis

The process of reducing the number of microorganisms on the skin.

Biological Indicators

Tools used to validate the effectiveness of sterilization by testing for spore survival.

Chemical Indicators

Materials that change color to indicate the conditions of sterilization have been met.

Heat-Sensitive Tape

Tape that changes color to indicate exposure to high temperatures during autoclaving.

Spore Strips

The best type of biological indicator used to verify effective autoclave use.

Latent Heat of Evaporation

The amount of heat needed to convert water at boiling point to steam.

Steam Penetration

The ability of steam to move through packaging and sterilize the contents.

Primary Container

The container that comes into direct contact with contaminated materials.

Secondary Container

The outer container that provides structural integrity during the autoclave process.

Preventative Maintenance

Scheduled inspections and repairs to ensure proper functioning of equipment.

Decontamination Bags

Special bags for disposing of contaminated materials to prevent exposure.

Steam Displacement

The method by which steam replaces air in an autoclave chamber to enable sterilization.

Sterilization by Filtration

A method used to sterilize heat-sensitive solutions using thin membrane filters.

Material that Can be Autoclaved

Items such as glassware, media, and contaminated solid waste that can withstand steam and pressure.

Material that Cannot be Autoclaved

Items like those containing volatile solvents or radioactive materials that pose hazards.

Unloading Autoclave Procedure

Steps taken to safely remove items from an autoclave while preventing burns or breakage.

Moist Heat Effect

The process of destroying organisms by denaturing proteins in the presence of heat.

Dry Heat Effect

The process of destroying microorganisms through oxidation.

Daily Maintenance Activities

Routine tasks such as disinfecting surfaces and checking door gaskets to maintain autoclave.

Yearly Maintenance

Annual inspection performed by qualified individuals with all documentation being kept.

Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC)

A type of hood designed to provide protection for the user and the environment from infectious agents.

Aerosolization Prevention

Methods used to reduce the risk of inhaling infectious aerosols in a laboratory setting.

Steam Quality

The purity of steam used; it must be free of droplets or air pockets to effectively sterilize.

Heat Resistance

The ability of materials to withstand high temperatures during the sterilization process.