Ch. 15 Infection Control - Key Terms
AIDS
Caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and suppresses the immune system so that the individual cannot fight off many cancers and infections that would not affect a healthy person.
Autoclave
A piece of equipment that uses steam under pressure or gas to sterilize equipment and supplies.
chemical disinfection
The use of chemicals to destroy or kill pathogenic organisms; it is not always effective against spores and viruses.
Disinfection
A process that destroys or kills pathogenic organisms but is not always effective against spores and viruses.
Exogenous
Means the infection or disease originates outside the body (e.g., radiation, chemical agents, trauma).
aerobic
Organisms that require oxygen to live.
Bacteria
Simple, one-celled organisms that multiply rapidly and are classified by shape (cocci, bacilli, spirilla).
Clean
Free from organisms causing disease; objects do not contain pathogens.
droplet precautions
Must be followed for a patient known or suspected to be infected with pathogens transmitted by large-particle droplets expelled during coughing, sneezing, or talking.
Fomites
Inanimate objects (such as doorknobs, bedpans, or linens) that contain pathogens and can transmit disease.
Airborne precautions
Methods used to prevent the spread of diseases transmitted by small particles of evaporated droplets that contain microorganisms and remain suspended in the air.
Bioterrorism
The use of microorganisms, or biologic agents, as weapons to infect humans, animals, or plants.
communicable disease
A disease that is transmitted from one individual to another.
Ebola
A filovirus that causes hemorrhagic fever; it is spread through contact with blood or body fluids.
Fungi
Simple, plantlike organisms that live on dead organic matter (e.g., yeasts and molds).
Anaerobic
Organisms that live and reproduce in the absence of oxygen.
Cavitation
The process in an ultrasonic unit where bubbles strike the items being cleaned and explode, driving the cleaning solution into all areas of the object.
Contract precautions
Must be followed for any patients known or suspected to be infected with microorganisms that can be transmitted by either direct or indirect contact.
endogenous
Means the infection or disease originates within the body (e.g., metabolic disorders, tumors).
health care-associated
Formerly known as a nosocomial infection; an infection acquired by an individual in a health care facility.
Asepsis
The absence of disease-producing microorganisms, or pathogens.
chain of disinfection
A series of six factors that must be present for a disease to occur and spread. To stop the spread of disease, health care workers must "break" a link in this chain using techniques like disinfection or sterilization.
Contaminated
Organisms and pathogens are present; the object is not clean.
Epidemic
Occurs when a communicable disease spreads rapidly from person to person and affects a large number of people at the same time.
Helminths
multicellular parasitic organisms commonly called worms or flukes.