Finals Outline Medical and Surgical Asepsis

A collection of key vocabulary and concepts related to medical and surgical asepsis for effective study and understanding.

Asepsis

Absence of illness-producing microorganisms.

Medical Asepsis

Also known as 'Clean Technique'; involves reducing the number and spread of microorganisms.

Surgical Asepsis

Also known as 'Sterile Technique'; involves eliminating all microorganisms.

Hand Hygiene

Primary behavior to reduce microorganism transmission.

Sterile Field Rules

Guidelines to maintain a sterile field, such as only sterile items allowed and avoiding talking over it.

Protective Equipment (PPE)

Equipment like masks, gloves, gowns, and eyewear used to control microorganism spread.

Cough Etiquette

Maintaining a distance from coughing individuals and encouraging mask use.

Infection Control

Practices to break the chain of infection using medical asepsis and surgical asepsis.

Chain of Infection

The series of events that lead to the spread of infection, including causative agent and susceptible host.

Influenza A

A viral infection that can necessitate droplet precautions and increased monitoring of oxygenation.

Nonspecific Innate Immunity

Immediate body response to any foreign organism, including barriers like skin and phagocytic cells.

Specific Adaptive Immunity

Immune response involving B- and T-lymphocytes that provides permanent immunity.

Nurse’s Role in Infection Control

Utilize aseptic techniques to prevent infections in healthcare settings.

Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs)

Infections acquired during healthcare, prevented with hand hygiene and standard precautions.

Triage System

Method to prioritize patient treatment based on the severity of their condition.

Pain Physiology

The processes of transduction, transmission, perception, and modulation of pain.

Acute Pain

Protective, temporary pain that resolves with healing.

Chronic Pain

Ongoing pain that lasts beyond the expected timeframe for healing.

Pain Assessment

Determining pain intensity and impact on daily life through patient self-report.

Standard Precautions

Basic infection control measures applied to all patients to prevent disease transmission.

Transmission-Based Precautions

Additional precautions for specific pathways of infection transmission.

Palliative Care

Holistic care focused on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life for patients with serious illness.

Biofeedback

Technique used to improve health by gaining control over physiological functions.

Transcutaneous Stimulating Technique

Method using electrical impulses for pain relief and rehabilitation.

Intravenous (IV) Therapy

System for delivering medications and nutrients directly into the bloodstream.

Hypoxia

Condition of insufficient oxygen in the tissues, leading to potential complications.

Fluid Volume Deficit (FVD)

Condition marked by inadequate fluid in the body, often leading to hypovolemia.

Fluid Volume Excess (FVE)

Condition characterized by overhydration, leading to fluid overload in the body.

Wound Healing Stages

Inflammatory, Proliferative, and Maturation stages critical for proper healing.

Supplemental Oxygen

Therapeutic oxygen supplied to patients to treat or prevent hypoxia.

Medication Reconciliation

Process of ensuring a patient’s medication lists are accurate and complete as they transition between different settings.

Patient Education

Teaching clients about their conditions, treatments, and self-care to empower them in their health journey.