Block Five

Question 1

Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)

Answer 1

The set of methods practiced in healthcare facilities to prevent and control the spread of disease.

Question 2

Microorganism

Answer 2

A living thing or organism that is so small that it can be seen only through a microscope; also called a microbe.

Question 3

Infection

Answer 3

The state resulting from pathogens invading the body and multiplying.

Question 4

Pathogen

Answer 4

A microorganism that is capable of causing infection and disease.

Question 5

Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI)

Answer 5

An infection acquired within a healthcare setting during the delivery of medical care.

Question 6

Chain of Infection

Answer 6

A way of describing how disease is transmitted from one being to another.

Question 7

Bacteria

Answer 7

A one-celled organism including some that can cause disease.

Question 8

Virus

Answer 8

A pathogen that can grow and reproduce only after infecting a host cell.

Question 9

Normal Flora

Answer 9

Bacteria which are found in or on our bodies on a semi-permanent basis without causing disease.

Question 10

Non-Pathogens

Answer 10

Microorganisms incapable of causing disease.

Question 11

Mucous Membranes

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Communicable

Answer 12

(of a disease) able to be transmitted from one sufferer to another; contagious or infectious.

Question 13

Asepsis

Answer 13

The process of removing pathogens, or the state of being free of pathogens.

Question 14

Sterile

Answer 14

Free from bacteria or other living microorganisms; totally clean.

Question 15

Center for Disease Control (CDC)

Answer 15

A government agency under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that issues information to protect the health of individuals and communities.

Question 16

Standard Precautions

Answer 16

A method of infection prevention in which all blood, body fluids, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes are treated as if they were infected with an infectious disease.

Question 17

Biohazard/Biohazardous

Answer 17

A risk to human health or the environment arising from biological work, especially with microorganisms.

Question 18

Contamination

Answer 18

The action or state of making or being made impure by polluting or poisoning.

Question 19

Cross Contamination

Answer 19

The process by which bacteria or other microorganisms are unintentionally transferred from one substance or object to another, with harmful effects.

Question 20

Hand Hygiene

Answer 20

Washing hands with either plain or antiseptic soap and water and using alcohol-based hand rubs.

Question 21

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Answer 21

Equipment that helps protect employees from serious workplace injuries or illnesses resulting from contact with workplace hazards.

Question 22

Don

Answer 22

To put on

Question 23

Doff

Answer 23

To remove

Question 24

Clean

Answer 24

In health care, a condition in which objects are not contaminated with pathogens.

Question 25

Dirty

Answer 25

In health care, a condition in which objects have been contaminated with pathogens.

Question 26

Disinfect

Answer 26

Act or process that destroys most but not all, pathogens by reducing the pathogen count to a level that is considered not infectious.

Question 27

Disinfectant

Answer 27

A chemical liquid that destroys bacteria.

Question 28

Disposable

Answer 28

Only to be used once and then discarded.

Question 29

Anti-Microbial

Answer 29

An agent that destroys, resists, or prevents, the development of pathogens.

Question 30

Transmission-Based Precautions

Answer 30

Method of infection control used when caring for persons who are infected or suspected of being infected with a disease; also called Isolation Precautions. The three categories are airborne, droplet, and contact.

Question 31

Airborne Precautions

Answer 31

Infection control measures taken to prevent the spread of pathogens that can be transmitted through the air after being expelled and remain floating in the air for a long time. These measures include using a special mask such as an N95 or HEPA respirator.

Question 32

Droplet Precautions

Answer 32

Infection control measures taken to prevent the spread of pathogens that are spread through droplets in the air that don't normally travel more than 6 feet. These measures include wearing a face mask during care.

Question 33

Contact Precautions

Answer 33

Precautions used when there is a risk of transmitting or contracting a microorganism from touching an infected object or person.

Question 34

Isolation

Answer 34

The physical separation of individuals with certain infections from other people to prevent or limit the transmission of disease.

Question 35

Reverse Isolation

Answer 35

Isolation procedures designed to protect a patient from infectious organisms that might be carried by staff or visitors. Patients who have a decreased immune system, usually from chemotherapy, may be placed in reverse isolation.

Question 36

Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP)

Answer 36

Pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause disease in humans.

Question 37

Hepatitis

Answer 37

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

Question 38

Tuberculosis (TB)

Answer 38

A highly contagious lung disease caused by a bacterium that is carried on mucous droplets suspended in the air.

Question 39

Covid-19

Answer 39

A droplet and airborne disease transmitted through droplets and particles produced by an infected person; often characterized by respiratory symptoms and capable of progressing to sever symptoms, even death, especially in people who are older or have underlying health conditions.

Question 40

Influenza

Answer 40

A highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory passages causing fever, severe aching, an catarrh, and often occurring in epidemics.

Question 41

Multidrug-Resistant Organisms (MDRO's)

Answer 41

Defined as bacteria that have become resistant to more than one class of antimicrobial agents and usually to all but one or two commercially available antimicrobial agents, complicating treatment of illnesses they cause.

Question 42

Shingles

Answer 42

An acute, painful inflammation of the nerve ganglia, with a skin eruption, often forming a girdle around the middle of the body. It is caused by the same virus as chickenpox.

Question 43

Clostridioides/Clostridium difficile (C. diff)

Answer 43

Bacteria illness that can cause diarrhea and colitis.

Question 44

Exposure Control Plan

Answer 44

Designed to identify in writing, tasks, and procedures, as well as job classifications where occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials occurs.

Question 45

Exposure Incident

Answer 45

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