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