CNA Chapter 6

carrier

person who carries a pathogen without signs or symptoms of an illness or disease and who can spread the disease

exposure control plan

plan that identifies the step by step method of what to do if exposed to infectious material; also includes specific work practices that must be followed.

medical asepsis

process of removing pathogens; also called clean technique

clean technique

process of removing pathogens; also called medical asepsis.

resistance

the body's ability to prevent infection and disease

C. difficile (C. diff, clostridium difficile)

a bacterial illness that can cause diarrhea and colitis; spread by spores in feces that are difficult to kill.

PPE (personal protective equipment)

a barrier between a person and a disease; includes gloves, gowns, masks, goggles, and face shields

contagious disease

a communicable disease that is spread easily from person to person

dirty

a condition in which an object has been contaminated with pathogens

clean

a condition in which an object has not been contaminated with pathogens

dehydration

a condition that occurs when a person does not have enough fluid in the body

non-communicable disease

a disease not capable of being spread from one person to another

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

a federal government agency that makes rules to protect workers from hazards on the job

sterilization

a measure used to decrease the spread of pathogens and disease by destroying all microorganisms, including pathogens.

disinfection

a measure used to decrease the spread of pathogens and disease by destroying pathogens

Standard Precautions

a method of infection control in which all blood, body fluids, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes are treated as if they were infected with a disease

VRE (vancomycin- resistant enterococcus)

a mutant strain of the bacterium enterococcus; a resistance cause by a person not taking all of a powerful antibiotic, Vancomycin.

malnutrition

a serious condition in which a person in not getting proper nutrition

vaccine

a substance prepared from weakened or killed microbes that is used to give immunity to disease

microorganism (MO)

a tiny living thing not visible to the eye without a microscope; also called a microbe

microbe

a tiny living thing visible only by a microscope; also called a microorganism

indirect contact

a way to transmit pathogens by touching something contaminated by the infected person

cross-infection

acquiring an infection from someone else; also called cross-contamination

antimicrobial

an agent that destroys or resists pathogens

nosocomial infection

an infection acquired in a hospital. (or healthcare facility)

healthcare-associated infection (HAI)

an infection associated with various healthcare settings, such as long term care facilities, hospitals, ambulatory settings, and home care

MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infection

an infection caused by bacteria that are resistant to many antibiotics; can develop when people do not take all of the medications prescribed to them

systematic infection

an infection that occurs when pathogens enter the bloodstream and move throughout the body; causes general symptoms like chills and fever

fomite

an object that is contaminated with a pathogen and can now spread the pathogen to another person

infectious disease

any disease caused by the growth of a pathogen

reinfection

being infected a second time with an infection

barrier

block or obstacle; object(s) worn by healthcare providers to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases

perineal care

care of the genitals and anal area by cleansing

communicable disease

disease transmitted when a pathogen is spread from one person to another

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

federal government agency responsible for improving the overall health and safety of the people of the United States.

Bloodborne Pathogen Standard

federal law requiring that healthcare facilities protect employees from bloodborne health hazards

drainage

flow of fluids from a wound or cavity

hand hygiene

handwashing with either plain or antiseptic soap and water and using alcohol based hand rubs

biohazard container

hard, leakproof containers into which sharp objects and items contaminated with infectious material are placed.

localized infection

infection limited to a specific part of the body; has local symptoms

hepatitis

inflammation of the liver caused by infection

autoclave

machine creating steam or a type of gas that kills all microorganisms

indirect spread

method of transmission of disease from an object, insect, animal, to a person,

disease spread

method of transmission of disease from one person to another

surgical asepsis

method that makes an area or object completely free of microorganisms; also called sterile technique

bloodborne pathogens

microorganisms found in human blood that can cause infection and disease in humans

multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO's)

microorganisms, mostly bacteria, that are resistant to one or more antimicrobial agents

immunity

resistance to infection by a specific pathogen

infection control

set of methods used to control and prevent the spread of disease

exposure incident

situation that occurs when a person is exposed to infectious blood or material

non-intact skin

skin that is broken by abrasions, cuts, rashes, acne, pimples, lesions, surgical incisions or boils.

contaminated

soiled, unclean; having disease- causing organisms or infectious material on it

body fluids

tears, saliva, sputum (mucus coughed up), urine, feces, semen, vaginal secretions, and pus or other wound drainage

mucous membranes

the membranes that line body cavities that open to the outside of the body, such as the linings of the mouth, nose, eyes, rectum, and genitals.

pathogen

the microorganisms that cause disease

normal flora

the microorganisms that normally live in and on the body and do not cause harm in a healthy person.

incubation period

the period of time between the time the pathogen enters the body and the time it causes an infection.

infection

the state resulting from pathogens invading and growing within the human body

isolate

to keep something separate, or by itself

transmission

transfer of disease

catheter

tube inserted through the skin or into a body opening; used to add or drain fluid

direct contact

way to transmit pathogens through touching the infected person or his/her secretions.

sanitation

ways communities maintain clean, hygienic conditions hat help prevent disease, such as the disposal of sewage and solid waste