Principles of Infection Prevention and Control – Vocabulary Review

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from Chapter 4: Principles of Infection Prevention and Control.

Health care–associated infection (HAI)

An infection that develops in a patient during the course of medical treatment in a health-care setting.

Community-onset infection

An infection that develops outside the hospital environment.

Hospital-onset (nosocomial) infection

An infection that develops during a patient’s stay in the hospital.

Infection Prevention (IP) Program

A hospital-wide, organized effort charged with reducing the risk of HAIs for patients, employees, and visitors.

Source (reservoir)

The origin of pathogens—such as humans, animals, or contaminated objects—required for infection transmission.

Susceptible host

A person whose resistance to infection is lowered, allowing pathogens to establish disease.

Route of transmission

The pathway by which a pathogen travels from the source to a susceptible host.

Contact transmission

Spread of pathogens by direct touch or through contaminated objects (fomites).

Direct contact

Physical transfer of microorganisms between an infected and a susceptible person.

Indirect contact

Transfer of pathogens via a contaminated intermediate object or person; the most frequent contact route.

Droplet transmission

Infection spread by large respiratory particles that travel short distances before settling on surfaces.

Airborne transmission

Spread of organisms that remain infectious while suspended in air over time and distance.

Respiratory droplets

Large particles expelled when coughing, sneezing, or talking that can carry pathogens such as influenza.

Droplet nuclei

Small, desiccated particles capable of long-distance airborne spread (e.g., Mycobacterium tuberculosis).

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Barriers—gloves, gowns, masks, eye protection—used to prevent exposure to infectious agents.

Standard Precautions

The basic level of infection control applied to all patients to prevent healthcare transmission of infections.

Hand hygiene

Cleaning hands by washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand rub.

Transmission-Based Precautions

Extra protective measures (Contact, Droplet, Airborne) used in addition to Standard Precautions for specific pathogens.

Contact Precautions

Practices (e.g., gloves, gowns, dedicated equipment) aimed at reducing spread by direct or indirect contact.

Droplet Precautions

Measures such as surgical masks within close range (≈3–6 ft) to limit droplet spread.

Airborne Infection Isolation (AII)

Negative-pressure room and N-95 (or higher) respirator requirement for airborne pathogens.

Protective Environment

Positive-pressure, HEPA-filtered room designed to shield highly immunocompromised patients.

Comprehensive Unit-Based Safety Program (CUSP)

Team-based approach that promotes a culture of safety to reduce infections.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

U.S. agency that sets and enforces workplace safety standards, including infection-prevention regulations.

Bactericidal

Describes a method or agent that kills bacteria.

Bacteriostatic

Describes a method or agent that inhibits bacterial growth without killing them.

Sporicidal

Capable of destroying bacterial spores.

Virocidal

Capable of inactivating or destroying viruses.

Prevention bundle

A group of evidence-based practices applied together to reduce device-related infections.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)

Lung infection that develops in patients on mechanical ventilation.

Catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI / CLABSI)

Bloodstream infection linked to an intravascular catheter.

Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI)

Urinary tract infection occurring in patients with indwelling urinary catheters.

Cleaning

First step in equipment processing; removes dirt and organic matter with soap or detergent.

Disinfection

Process that destroys vegetative forms of pathogens but not spores.

Pasteurization

Heat-based disinfection method commonly used for respiratory equipment.

Sterilization

Process that destroys all microbial life, including spores.

Steam autoclave

Primary physical method of sterilization using heat under pressure.

Ethylene oxide (ETO) gas

Low-temperature chemical sterilant used for heat-sensitive devices.

Hydrogen peroxide plasma

Low-temperature sterilization method using vaporized hydrogen peroxide.

High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter

Filter removing ≥99.97 % of airborne particles ≥0.3 µm, used in ventilation and equipment.

Fomite

An inanimate object that can carry and transfer infectious agents.

Nebulizer

Aerosol-generating device that can disseminate pathogens if contaminated.

Bronchoscope reprocessing

Thorough cleaning and high-level disinfection or sterilization of bronchoscopes between uses.

Single-patient-use disposable device

Equipment intended for use by one patient only, eliminating reprocessing needs.

Surveillance

Ongoing monitoring of patients and staff to detect acquired infections and compliance with prevention practices.

Central line–associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI)

Bloodstream infection occurring in a patient with a central venous catheter.

Ventilator-associated event (VAE)

CDC surveillance category encompassing complications in mechanically ventilated patients.

Ventilator-associated condition (VAC)

First VAE tier signaled by a sustained increase in PEEP or FiO2 after stability.

Infection-related ventilator-associated complication (IVAC)

VAE tier defined by VAC plus fever/leukocytosis and new antibiotics for ≥4 days.

Possible ventilator-associated pneumonia (PVAP)

VAE tier where IVAC criteria plus positive respiratory culture or purulent secretions are present.

Source control mask

Facemask worn by patients to contain their respiratory secretions during transport or interactions.

Chemoprophylaxis

Administration of medication to prevent disease in exposed individuals.

High-level disinfection

Process that destroys all microorganisms except high numbers of bacterial spores; used for semi-critical devices.

Device-related infection

Infection associated with medical devices such as ventilators, catheters, or endoscopes.

Immunodeficiency

A state of weakened immune defense that increases susceptibility to infection.

Endogenous flora

Microorganisms normally residing in or on the body that can cause infection when immunity is compromised.

Negative-pressure room

Isolation room where air flows into the room but not out, preventing airborne pathogen escape.

Positive-pressure room

Protective environment where air flows out of the room, preventing entry of airborne contaminants.

Cough etiquette

Practices such as covering mouth/nose and using tissues or masks to reduce droplet spread.