Ch. 12 Flashcards
(35 cards)
What is an infection?
A condition that results when microorganisms cause injury to a susceptible host
How can microorganisms be observed?
Microorganisms can only be seen with a microscope
List four common pathogens.
- Bacteria
- Fungi
- Viruses
- Parasites
What are infectious diseases?
Diseases spread from one person to another
What factors influence the pathogenicity of a microorganism?
- Number of the microorganism
- Location of the microorganism
Define microbial intoxications.
Result when a person ingests a toxin produced by a pathogen in vitro
What do most microorganisms require to survive?
- Moisture
- Nourishment from contaminated organic matter
- The right temperature
- Darkness
- Neutral pH environment
- Plentiful oxygen
Which pathogens do not require oxygen to thrive?
- Tetanus
- Botulism
What is a portal of exit in the cycle of infection?
The route the pathogen takes to leave the reservoir
What are the modes of transmission for pathogens?
- Contact (direct and indirect)
- Droplet
- Airborne transmission
What is a susceptible host?
A person whose body cannot repel the pathogen
Define vectors in the context of infection.
Contaminated objects, like ultrasound transducers
What occurs during the incubation stage of infection?
Pathogen enters the body and becomes dormant
What characterizes the prodromal stage of infection?
Explicit disease symptoms abound and the disease becomes highly infectious
What happens in the full disease stage?
Disease reaches full potential with distinct clinical features
What occurs during the convalescent stage of infection?
Symptoms dissipate but some diseases can go dormant
List three common communicable diseases and their modes of transmission.
- Influenza (airborne droplet or direct contact)
- Measles (airborne droplets)
- Tetanus (direct contact with spores)
What are nosocomial infections?
Infections contracted in a healthcare setting
Name three common types of healthcare-associated infections.
- Central line-associated bloodstream infections
- Ventilator-associated pneumonia
- Catheter-associated urinary tract infections
What is the most commonly reported healthcare-acquired infection?
Urinary tract infection caused by indwelling catheters
What is MRSA?
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a strain of staph resistant to treatments
What is VRE?
Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus, a type of normal flora that can cause infections
What is Clostridium difficile?
A spore-forming bacterium that releases toxins and is resistant to disinfectants
What is tuberculosis?
A disease that can affect the lungs and may be asymptomatic in early stages
