Infection Prevention and Control Principles

Flashcards covering key terms, infection chains, aseptic techniques, and precautions discussed in the infection prevention lecture.

MRSA

Methicillin resistant staph aureus, an antimicrobial resistant type of infection found in hospital settings.

VRE

Aecomycin resistant anterior coccyte, an antimicrobial resistant infection.

Community Acquired Pneumonia

Pneumonia present upon arrival at the hospital, requiring a different set of antibiotics than hospital-acquired pneumonia.

Hospital Acquired Infection

An infection that develops after a patient has been in the hospital for more than 24 hours.

Incubation Period

The period following pathogen exposure where a patient undergoes a latent period before symptoms actually start to develop.

Subclinical Period

The stage following the latent period where a patient is not symptomatic, has the potential to yield a first positive test, and can pass the infection to another person.

Infectious Period

The stage where a patient actively shows signs and symptoms of infection, tests positive, and can make other people sick.

Mode of Transmission

The process or pathway by which a microorganism transmits from one person to another person.

Portal of Entry

The route by which an infectious microorganism enters a vulnerable host.

Portal of Exit

The route by which an infectious agent leaves an infected host's body, such as through an active cough.

Reservoir

A place or host in which a microorganism can live and thrive.

Vulnerable Host

A host susceptible to infection due to factors such as being immunocompromised, unimmunized, tired, or stressed.

Medical Asepsis

Clean technique aimed at reducing the overall presence of microorganisms in a clean environment.

Surgical Asepsis

Sterile technique anticipating no microorganism contamination, used when entering body systems during procedures like central line dressing changes or Foley catheter insertion.

CAUTI

Catheter associated urinary tract infection, which can develop from catheter insertion or improper peri and catheter care.

Malaise

A systemic sign of infection described as a generalized feeling of tiredness.