Infection Control and Isolation

Vocabulary flashcards covering the ATI Engage Fundamentals lecture on Infection Control and Isolation, including the chain of infection, modes of transmission, immune responses, stages of infection, and preventive precautions.

The Chain of Infection

A sequence of necessary pieces for an infection to occur, including an infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host.

Infectious Agent

Something that contains bacteria, fungi, virus, parasite, or prion.

Reservoir

The habitat of the infectious agent where it lives, grows, and reproduces itself or replicates.

Portal of Entry

Any body orifice (for example, ears, nose, mouth) or the skin that provides a place for the infectious agent to replicate or for the toxin to act.

Portal of Exit

The means by which the infectious agent can leave the reservoir.

Susceptible Host

A host required for the infectious agent to take hold and become a reservoir for infection.

Contact Transmission

A mode of transmission that occurs when microorganisms move from an infected person to another person.

Droplet Transmission

A mode of transmission that occurs when airborne droplets from the respiratory tract of a client travel through the air and into the mucosa of a host.

Airborne Transmission

A mode of transmission that occurs when small particulates move into the airspace of another person.

Direct Contact Transmission

A type of contact transmission that occurs when microorganisms are directly moved from the infected person to another person without having a contaminated object or person between the two.

Indirect Contact Transmission

A type of contact transmission that occurs when microorganisms are moved from the infected person to another person with a contaminated object or person between the two.

Nonspecific Immunity

Immunity referring to neutrophils and macrophages acting as phagocytes to eat and destroy microorganisms, helping protect the body from harm.

Phagocytes

Cells such as neutrophils and macrophages that eat and destroy microorganisms during the inflammatory response.

Specific Immunity

Immunity referring to the work of antibodies (immunoglobulins) and lymphocytes, where antibodies bind to infectious agents and signal white blood cells and complement to destroy them.

Incubation Stage

The stage of infection when an infectious agent enters the host and begins to multiply.

Prodromal Stage

The stage of infection when the client begins having symptoms.

Acute Illness Stage

The stage of infection where manifestations of the specific infectious disease process are obvious and may become severe.

Decline Stage

The stage of infection where manifestations begin to wane as the degree of infectious disease decreases.

Convalescence Stage

The stage of infection where the client returns to a normal or a "new normal" state of health.

Local Infection

An infection confined to one area of the body that can be treated with topical antibiotics and oral antibiotics.

Systemic Infection

An infection that starts as a local infection and then spreads to the bloodstream to infect the entire body.

Hand Hygiene

A broad term covering any type of hand cleansing, including soap and water, alcohol-based hand sanitizers, antiseptic handwash or hand rub, and surgical hand antisepsis.

Medical Asepsis

Also known as clean technique, a term used to define the elimination of and absence of disease-causing microorganisms.

Standard Precautions

Infection prevention practices applied to all clients, whether or not they are known to have an infectious agent.

Central Line-associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSIs)

One of the four major health care-associated infections involving a central line.

Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTIs)

One of the four major health care-associated infections involving a urinary catheter.

Surgical Site Infections (SSIs)

One of the four major health care-associated infections occurring at a surgical site.

Ventilator-assisted Pneumonias (VAPs)

One of the four major health care-associated infections related to ventilator use.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Equipment required for nurses to protect themselves and clients, which must be selected, donned, and doffed appropriately.