CNA Chapter 5 terms

infection prevention and control

antimicrobial

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

bloodborne pathogens

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

Bloodborne Pathogens Standard

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

causative agent

a pathogenic microorganism that causes disease

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

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

chain of infection

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

clean

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

Clostridioides difficile (C. diff, C. difficile)

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 (colitis).

dehydration

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

direct contact

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

dirty

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

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

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

disposable/ doff/ don

disposable

to be used only once and then discarded.

doff

to remove.

don

to put on.

exposure control plan

osure control plan

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

hand hygiene

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

healthcare-associated infection (HAI)

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

hepatitis

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

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)

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

indirect contact

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

infection/ infectious

infection

the state resulting from pathogens invading the body and multiplying.

infectious

contagious.

infection prevention

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

isolate

to keep something separate, or by itself.

jaundice

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

latent TB infection (LTBI)

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

localized infection

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

malnutrition

poor nutrition due to improper diet

medical asepsis

measures used to reduce and prevent the spread of pathogens.

microorganism (MO)

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

MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)

bacteria (staphylococcus aureus) that have developed resistance to the antibiotic methicillin.

mode of transmission

the method of describing how a pathogen travels.

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.

multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs)

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

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.

nonintact skin

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

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

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

pathogens

microorganisms that are capable of causing infection and disease.

perineal care

care of the genital and anal area

personal protective equipment (PPE)

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

phlegm

thick mucus from the respiratory passage

portal of entry

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

portal of exit

any body opening on an infected person that allows pathogens to leave

reservoir

a place where a pathogen lives and multiplies.

resistant

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

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.

sterilization

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

surgical asepsis

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

susceptible host

an uninfected person who could become sick.

systemic infection

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

TB disease

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

transmission

passage or transfer.

Transmission-Based Precautions

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

tuberculosis (TB)

a highly contagious disease caused by a bacterium, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, that is carried on mucous droplets suspended in the air; causes fatigue, loss of appetite, slight fever, prolonged coughing, and shortness of breath

Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE)

bacteria (enterococci) that have developed resistance to the antibiotic vancomycin