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