CNA CHAPTER 6 VOCAB

carrier

person who carries a pathogen usually without signs or symptoms of disease, but who can still spread the disease

exposure control plan

plan that outlines specific work practices to prevent exposure to infectious material and identifies step-by-step procedures to follow when exposures do occur

body fluids

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

resistance

the body's ability to prevent infection and disease

C. difficile

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

PPE (personal protective equipment)

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

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

non-communicable disease

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

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

a federal government agency that makes and enforces 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; also called sterile technique

disinfection

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

Standard Precautions

a method of infection prevention in which all blood, body fluids, non-intact skin (like abrasions, pimples, or open sores), and mucous membranes (lining of mouth, nose, eyes, rectum, or genitals) are treated as if they were infected with a disease

malnutrition

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

VRE

a strain of the bacterium enterococcus that is resistant to the powerful antibiotic vancomycin; infections occur when the bacteria enter the bloodstream, urinary tract, or surgical wounds

vaccine

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

microorganism (MO)

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

microbe

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

contagious disease

a type of communicable disease that spreads quickly from person to person

indirect contact

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

antimicrobial

an agent that destroys, resists, or prevents the development of pathogens

hand rubs

an alcohol-containing preparation designed for aplication to the hands for reducing the number of microorganisms on the hands

autoclave

an appliance used to sterilize medical instruments or other objects by using steam under pressure

dehydration

an excessive loss of water from the body; a condition that occurs when fluid loss is greater than fluid intake

healthcare-associated infection (HAI)

an infection associated with healthcare delivery in any setting (hospitals, long-term care facilities, ambulatory settings, or home care)

MRSA

an infection caused by specific bacteria that has become resistant to many antibiotics

systemic infection

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

communicable disease

an infectious disease transmissible by direct contact or by indirect contact

formite

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

infectious disease

any disease caused by growth of a pathogen

reinfection

being infected again with the same pathogen

perineal care

care of the genitals and anal area by cleaning

Center 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 form bloodborne health hazards

drainage

flow of fluids from wound or cavity

localized infection

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

hepatitis

inflammation of the liver caused by certain viruses and other factors, such as alcohol abuse, some medications, and trauma

indirect spread

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

direct spread

method of transmission of disease from one person to another

surgical asepsis

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

bloodborne pathogens

microorganisms found inhuman blood that can cause infection and disease

pathogen

microorganisms that are capable of causing infection and disease

multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs)

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

medical asepsis

refers to practices used to reduce and control the spread of microorganisms, such as handwashing

immunity

resistance to infection by a specific pathogen

infection prevention

set of methods used to control and precent the spread of disease; formerly known as "infection control"

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

exposure incident

specific eye, mouth, other mucous membrane, non-intact skin, or parental contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that results from the performance of an employer's duties

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

normal flora

the microorganisms that normally live in and on the body and do not cause harm in a healthy person, as long as the flora remain in or at the particular area

incubation period

the period of time between the time a pathogen enters the body and the time it causes visible signs and symptoms of disease

cross-infection

the physical movement or transfer of harmful bacteria from one person, object, or place to another, or form one part of the body to another

infection

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

transmission

the way and means by which a disease is to spread

isolate

to keep something separate, or by itself

don

to put on

doff

to remove

catherter

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

hand hygiene

washing hands with either plain or antiseptic soap and water or using alcohol-based rubs

direct contact

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

sanitation

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