Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Infection to Sterility
LPC Study Aid
45
Medical
Professional
12/29/2012

Additional Medical Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
What is a Microorganism?
Definition
Microorganisms are microscopic living cells found almost everywhere in the environment.
Term
What is a pathogen?
Definition
Microorganisms that cause disease.
Term
What are two common techniques used to kill pathogenic microorganisms?
Definition
Steam Sterilization and Boiling Water
Term
What are 6 environmental faneeded that affect the growth of Microorganisms?
Definition

1) Oxygen

2) Nutrients

3) Temperature - most grow at body temp

4) Moisture

5) pH

6) Light

Term
How does temperature affect the growth of Microorganims?
Definition
  • Most Microorganims grow at body temperature
  • Cold temperatures often slow growth (ie: refrigeration)
  • High temperatures usually kill most MOs (ie: boiling; fever)
Term
What Microorganism is the most difficult to destroy?
Definition

Spore Forming Bacteria

 

Ex: Plantar Warts

 

*Spores protect certain bacteria and become resistant to the environment and can survive extreme conditions of light, drying, and many chemicals.  

Term
What is a Virus?
Definition

A microorganism that MUST use the host's ability to make protein and energy.

 

Immunization is the most effective means for preventing viral infections.  

Term
What is a bacteria?
Definition
A single called organismwithout a nucleus.
Term
What is a common type of mold fungus?
Definition

Athlethe's Foot

 

Tinea Pedis

Term
What are two common infections caused by Protozoa?
Definition

1) Vaginal Infection in women

 

2) Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) in men

Term
What is MRSA?
Definition

Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus

 

*MRSA is an example of drug resistant bacteria which has aresistance to antibiotic therapy.

Term
What is a communicable disease?
Definition
Diseases that can spread from one person to another
Term
What is a contagious disease?
Definition
Disease transmitted to many individuals quickly and easily.
Term
What is an epidemic?
Definition
A large number of people in the same area are infected in a relatively short time. 
Term
What are the 6 links in the "Chain of Infection"?
Definition
  1. Pathogenic Organism
  2. Reservoir
  3. Portal of Exit
  4. Vehicle of Transmission
  5. Portal of Entry
  6. Susceptible Host
Term

What is a Reservoir?

 

Definition

A holding place.

 

Any living thing or inanimate object where a microorganism can multiply or survive before moving to a place where it can multiply

 

Ex: Shower floors, baby toys, Slagle forks

Term
What are 8 vehicles of transmission?
Definition
  1. Direct Contact
  2. Indirect Contact
  3. Human Carrier
  4. Airborne Transmission
  5. Waterborne Transmission
  6. Food borne Transmission
  7. Vectors
  8. Blood borne Transmission
Term
What is Direct Contact?
Definition

The spreading of pathogens from one person to another through body contact.

 

  • Touching, shaking hands, sexual contact, etc. 
Term
What are three examples of Indirect Contact?
Definition
  1. Patient Bedding
  2. Used Syringes
  3. Used Drinking Cups

*Indirect contact occurs when an OBJECT harbors a pathogen and carries it from an infected person to a new victim.

Term

What is a human carrier?

 

Definition
One who does not exhibit symptoms of a disease but carries the pathogens and transmits them to others.  
Term
What are Vectors?
Definition

Living carriers of pathogens that spread disease on their feet, wings, or bodies onto food that people eat or bite a victim.

 

Ex: Rodentsmosquitoes, flies, and ticks

Term
What is the single most effective means of breaking the Chain of Infection?
Definition
HAND WASHING
Term
In regards to Asepsis, what does "Dirty" mean?
Definition
Any object or person that has not been cleaned or sterilized for removal of microorganisms.
Term
In regards to Asepsis, what does "Contaminated" mean?
Definition
An object that was clean or sterile before it touched a dirty object.
Term
In regards to Asepsis, what does "clean" mean?
Definition

Implies that many or most harmful microorganisms have been moved.

 

Ex: skin, mouth, GI tract, and upper respiratory tract are considered clean

Term
In regards to Asepsis, what does "sterile" mean?
Definition

The item is free of all microorganisms and spores.

 

Ex: abdominal cavity, urinary bladder, and ovaries are considered sterile

Term
What is the function of Disinfectants?
Definition
Destroys most pathogens but NOT necessarily their spores.
Term
What is Sterilization?
Definition
Destroys all microorganisms and spores by the process of exposing articles to heat or chemical disinfectants long enough to kill all microorganisms and spores such as a pressure steam sterilizer called an AUTOCLAVE.
Term
What is Medical Aesepsis?
Definition

Aka: Clean Technique

 

A practice that minimizes the number of microorganisms or prevents the transmission of microorganisms from one person to another. 

Term
What are Transmission Based Precautions?
Definition

Used for treating patients with a suspected or KNOWN infectious disease.  Based on the disease's route of transmission to interrupt the transmission of the pathogens.

 

  1. Airborne Precautions
  2. Droplet Precautions
  3. Contact Precautions 
Term
What are Airborne precautions?
Definition
Private rooms that have monitored negative air flow (air discharged outdoors or specially filtered before circulating to other areas) and doors should remain closed.
Term
What diseases are included in droplet precautions?
Definition
  1. Meningitis
  2. Pneumona
  3. Diphtheria
  4. Strptococcal Pharyngitis
  5. Influenza
  6. Mumps
  7. Rubella
Term
What are Droplet precautions?
Definition
  • Private room or share with same infectious patient, with doors that may remain open.
  • Wear a mask when working within 3 ft of the pt and make pt wear mask outside of room
Term
What is the most frequent mode of disease transmission?
Definition
Direct Contact
Term
What is surgical asepsis?
Definition

AKA "Sterile Technique"

 

No organisms are carried to the pt.  Microorganisms are destroyed from surfaces before they can enter the body.

Term
How long should you wash your hands?
Definition

A minimum of 10-15 secs

 

 

10 sec to 2 min

Term
What is the purpose of using sterile gloves?
Definition

To establish a barrier between microorganisms from the pt to the medic and vice versa.

 

Required to maintain a sterile field during hands on procedures.

Term
What are the 4 indications for donning sterile gloves?
Definition
  1. Invasive procedures - surgery, urinary cath
  2. When sterility must be maintained - handling sterile instruments
  3. Changing sterile dressings
  4. Irrigating wounds
Term
What are the 4 phases of infection?
Definition
  1. Incubation Period
  2. Prodomal Phase
  3. Full Stage of Illness
  4. Convalescence Stage
Term
What is the incubation period?
Definition
When the pathogen enters the body to first symptoms of illness.
Term
What is the prodromal stage?
Definition
Onset of initial symptoms such as low grade fever or fatigue to more severe symptoms.
Term
What is the Full Stage of Illness?
Definition
When symptoms are acute and specific to the type of infection such as lesions covering the body or high fever.
Term
What is the convalescence stage?
Definition
When acute symptoms subside and the person recovers.
Term
What is Virulence?
Definition
Te pathogen's strength to cause disease
Term
What is a Nosocomial Infection?
Definition
Infections the pt acquires while in a healthcare facility.
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