Germ Warfare
Needs oxygen to live and grow
What is Aerobic?
An agent that can kill or destroy bacteria
What is bactericidal?
An agent that reduces the number of viable microorganisms
What is disinfectant?
Infection that was not present or incubating on admission to a health care facility; acquired during hospitalization
What is health care-associated infection (HAI)?
Able to live and grow only in the absence of oxygen
What is anaerobic?
Microorganisms take up residence and grow
What is colonization?
Propagation of living organisms or tissue in special media conducive to the growth
What is culture?
Localized response caused by injury or destruction of tissues that serves to contain the injurious agent and injured tissue
What is inflammation?
Precautions that protect both the nurse and the patient from infection and are to be used with every patient contact
What is Standard Precaution?
Transmission of infectious microorganisms from one person or object to another
What is cross-contamination?
Bacteria that retain the stain in the Gram method of staining
What is Gram-positive?
Carrier that transfers an infective agent from one host to another, such as animals, insects, and rodents
What is Vector?
Not affording a passage. Moisture and particle proof
What is Impervious?
Discomfort, uneasiness, or indisposition, often indicative of an infection
What is Malaise?
Standard Precautions, plus the following: never touch with bare hands anything wet that comes from a body surface or cavity; use gloves, impermeable gowns, masks, and protective eyewear when necessary
What is Contact Precautions?
Same as Standard Precautions, plus the following: place the patient in a private room with negative air pressure or in a room with a patient with the same infectious organism, wear a respirator when in room with the patient, keep susceptible persons out of the patient's room, and limit the patient's movement outside the room. I.e. TB, Measles, Chickenpox
What is Airborne Precautions?
The practice of preparing and handling materials in a way that prevents the patient exposure to living microorganisms. (The goal is to keep an area free of microorganisms).
What is Surgical Asepsis?
Increase in number of leukocytes in the blood, resulting from infection or other causes
What is Leukocytosis?
The time from invasion of the body by the microorganisms to the onset of symptoms
What is incubation period?
The practice of reducing the number of organisms present or reducing the risk for transmission of organisms
What is Medical Asepsis?
Examples are; gloves, gowns, masks, goggles, shoe covers, and splash guards
What is PPE (personal protective equipment)?
Same as Standard Precautions, plus the following: place the patient in a private room with negative air pressure or in a room with a patient with the same infectious organism; wear a mask when in the room, and transport the patient outside the room only when necessary, with the patient wearing a mask if possible. I.e. Influenza, Pertussis, Mumps, Bacterial Meningitis
What is Droplet Precautions?
Proteinaceous particles believed to be responsible for transmissible neurodegenerative diseases
What is Prion?
Fluid in or on tissue surfaces that has escaped from blood vessels in response to inflammation and that contains protein and cellular debris
What is exudate?
Degree to which a microorganism can cause infection in the host or invade the host
What is Virulence?
The Four Stages of Infection written in order
What is Incubation, Prodromal, Illness, Convalescence?
Is protection developed when the body fights off an infection. Your immune system makes antibodies that destroy invading germs and remember them in preparation for the next attack. It may last just a few months or much longer, depending on the infectious disease in question.
What is Naturally Acquired Immunity?
It is a means of preventing contact between a patient and others to prevent the spread of infection. Emphasis is placed on containing microorganisms and preventing their spread
What is Isolation?
Is protection against a disease through external antibodies rather than the body's own immune system.
What is Passive Acquired Immunity?
Early or very beginning stage of an illness
What is Prodromal Period?