Ch. 15 Infection Control
AIDS
Caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and suppresses the immune system.
Autoclave
The most common piece of equipment used for sterilization; uses steam under pressure or gas.
Chemical disinfection
A process that uses chemical disinfectants to destroy or kill pathogenic organisms; mainly used on objects.
disinfection
A process that uses chemical disinfectants to destroy or kill pathogenic organisms, though not always effective against spores and viruses.
Exogenous
The infection or disease originates outside the body.
Aerobic
Microorganisms that require oxygen to live.
Bacteria
Simple, one-celled organisms that multiply rapidly and are classified by shape and arrangement.
Clean
Mentioned under Aseptic Techniques; means maintaining cleanliness to prevent contamination).
Droplet Precautions:
(Precautions taken to prevent the spread of pathogens via breathing in droplets).
Fomites:
Objects contaminated with infectious material that contains pathogens (e.g., doorknobs, bedpans).
Airborne Precautions
(Mentioned in the "Chain of Infection" diagram under Mode of Transmission regarding air flow control).
Bioterrorism
The use of microorganisms, or biologic agents, as weapons to infect humans, animals, or plants.
Communicable disease
(A disease that can be spread from one person to another).
Ebola
A filovirus that causes hemorrhagic fever; it quickly progresses to jaundice, liver failure, and massive hemorrhaging.
Fungi
Simple, plant-like organisms that live on dead organic matter (e.g., yeasts and molds).
Anaerobic
Microorganisms that live and reproduce in the absence of oxygen.
Cavitation
Process associated with ultrasonic units implied by the Learning Objectives and Key Terms list.
Contact precautions
(Precautions taken when a pathogen is transmitted by direct or indirect contact).
Endogenous
The infection or disease originates within the body.
Health care associated infection
An infection acquired by an individual in a health care facility.
Aesepsis
The absence of disease-producing microorganisms, or pathogens.
Chain of infection
A series of conditions that must be met for disease to occur and spread from one individual to another.
Contaminated:
Organisms and pathogens are present; any object or area that may contain pathogens.
Epidemic
(Discussed in relation to the major outbreak of Ebola in West Africa).
Helminths
Multicellular parasitic organisms commonly called worms or flukes.