Ch. 15 Infection Control - Key Terms
AIDS
Caused by the human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) and suppresses the immune system
autoclave
The most common piece of equipment used for sterilization
chemical disinfection
A process that uses chemical disinfectants to destroy or kill pathogenic organisms. Not always effective against spores and viruses.
disinfection
A level of aseptic control that destroys pathogens but is used mainly on objects because it can irritate the skin.
exogenous
Infection or disease originates outside the body
Aerobic
Require oxygen to live.
bacteria
Simple, one-celled organisms that multiply rapidly
clean
Absence of disease-producing microorganisms or pathogens.
droplet precautions
Used for diseases spread by large respiratory droplets.
fungi
Simple, plant like organism that live on dead organic matter.
Airborne precautions
Used for patients known or suspected to be infected with pathogens transmitted by airborne droplet nuclei.
bioterrorism
The use of microorganisms or biologic
communicable disease
Transmitted from one individual to another.
ebola
The first ebola outbreak to reach epidemic proportions occurred in West Africa in 2014.
health care-associated
Formally, “nosocomial” an infection acquired by am individual in health care facility.
anaerobic
Live and reproduce in the absence of oxygen.
cavitation
Sound waves produce millions of microscopic bubbles in a cleaning solution. When the bubbles strike the items being cleaned, they explode.
contract precautions
Used for diseases spread by direct or indirect contact.
endogenous
Infection or disease originates within the body.
helminths
Multicellular parasitic organisms commonly called worms or flukes.
asepsis
Absence of disease-producing microorganisms or pathogens
chain of disinfection
A process that uses chemical disinfectants to destroy or kill pathogenic organisms.
contaminated
Any object or area that may contain organisms or pathogens.
epidemic
Occurs when the communicable disease spreads rapidly from person to person and effects a large number of people at the same time.
hepatits B
Caused by the HBV virus and is transmitted by blood, serum and other body secretions.