Chapter 14 Flashcards
(41 cards)
asepsis
Being free of disease-producing microbes
biohazardous waste
Items contaminated with blood, body KEY TERMS fluids, secretions, or excretions; bio means “life” and hazardous means “dangerous or harmful”
carrier
A human or animal that is a reservoir for microbes but does not have the signs and symptoms of infection
clean technique
See “medical asepsis”
communicable disease
A disease caused by pathogens that spreads easily; contagious disease
contagious disease
See “communicable disease”
contamination
The process of becoming unclean
disinfection
The process of destroying pathogens
germicide
A disinfectant applied to the skin, tissues, or nonliving objects
healthcare-associated infection (HAI)
An infection that de velops in a person cared for in any setting where health care is given; the infection is related to receiving health care
immunity
Protection against a certain disease
infection
A disease state resulting from the invasion and growth of microbes in the body
infection control
Practices and procedures that prevent the spread of infection
medical asepsis
Practices used to remove or destroy pathogens and to prevent their spread from one person or place to another person or place; clean technique
microbe
See “microorganism”
microorganism
A small (micro) living plant or animal (organism) seen only with a microscope; microbe
nonpathogen
A microbe that does not usually cause an infection
normal flora
Microbes that live and grow in a certain area
pathogen
A microbe that is harmful and can cause an infection
reservoir
The environment in which a microbe lives and grows; host
spore
A bacterium protected by a hard shell
sterile
The absence of all microbes
sterile field
A work area free of all pathogens and nonpatho gens (including spores)
sterile technique
See “surgical asepsis”
