Ch. 15 Infection Control
AIDS
caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and suppresses the immune system
Autoclave
a piece of equipment that uses steam under pressure or gas to sterilize equipment and supplies. Pg 427
chemical disinfection
chemicals that do not kill spores and viruses. Pg 433
Disinfection
This is a process that uses chemical disinfectants to destroy or kill pathogenic organisms. Pg 412
Exogenous
the infection or disease originates outside the body. Pg 410
Bacteria
Simple, one-celled organisms that multiply rapidly. - Pg 406
Clean
objects or parts of objects do not contain disease-producing organisms and therefore have minimal chance of spreading the disease. Pg 450
droplet precautions
Rules to prevent getting infected with transmissible pathogens. Pg 452
Fomites
objects contaminated with infectious material that contains the pathogens. Pg 411
airborne precautions
used for patients known or suspected to be infected with pathogens transmitted by airborne droplet nuclei. Pg 450
Bioterrorism
the use of microorganisms, or biologic agents, as weapons to infect humans, animals, or plants. Pg 413
communicable disease
Disease caused by a pathogenic organism that can be easily transmitted to others. Pg 449
Ebola
Filoviruses that first affect primates and then spread to humans. Pg 409
Fungi
Simple, plant-like organisms that live on dead organic matter. - Pg 408
Anaerobic
Organisms that live and reproduce in the absence of oxygen. Pg 406
Cavitation
bubbles strike the items being cleaned, they explode. Pg 455
contract precautions
must be followed for any patients known or suspected to be infected with epidemiological (capable of spreading rapidly from person to person, an epidemic) microorganisms that can be transmitted by either direct or indirect contact. Pg 453
Endogenous
the infection or disease originates within the body. Pg 410
health care-associated
an infection acquired by an individual in a health care facility such as a hospital or long-term care facility. - Pg 410
Asepsis
the absence of disease-producing microorganisms, or pathogens. Pg 412
chain of infection
Conditions that lead to diseases to occur and spread from one individual to another. Pg 411
Contaminated
organisms and pathogens are present. Pg 412
Epidemic
occurs when the communicable disease spreads rapidly from person to person and affects a large number of people at the same time. Pg 449
Helminths
multicellular parasitic organisms commonly called worms or flukes - Pg 410