Chapter 5

Question 1

infection prevention

Answer 1

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

Question 2

microorganism (MO)

Answer 2

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

Question 3

infections

Answer 3

the state resulting from pathogens invading the body and multiplying.

Question 4

pathogens

Answer 4

a microorganism capable of causing infection and disease.

Question 5

localized infection

Answer 5

an infection that is limited to a specific location in the body and has local symptoms.

Question 6

systemic infection

Answer 6

an infection that travels through the bloodstream and is spread throughout the body, causing general symptoms.

Question 7

healthcare-associated infection (HAI)

Answer 7

an infection acquired in a healthcare setting during the delivery of medical care.

Question 8

chain of infection

Answer 8

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

Question 9

causative agent

Answer 9

a pathogenic microorganism that causes disease.

Question 10

reservoir

Answer 10

a place where a pathogen lives and multiplies.

Question 11

portal of exit

Answer 11

any body opening on an infected person that allows pathogens to leave.

Question 12

mode of transmission

Answer 12

the method of describing how a pathogen travels.

Question 13

direct contact

Answer 13

a way of transmitting pathogens through touching the infected person or their secretions.

Question 14

indirect contact

Answer 14

a way of transmitting pathogens from touching an object contaminated by the infected person.

Question 15

portal of entry

Answer 15

any body opening on an uninfected person that allows pathogens to enter.

Question 16

mucous membranes

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

susceptible host

Answer 17

an uninfected person who could become sick

Question 18

transmission

Answer 18

passage or transfer.

Question 19

infectious

Answer 19

contagious

Question 20

medical asepsis

Answer 20

measures used to reduce and prevent the spread of pathogens.

Question 20

surgical asepsis

Answer 20

the state of being completely free of all microorganisms; also called sterile technique.

Question 21

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Answer 21

a federal government agency that makes rules to protect workers from hazards on the job.

Question 22

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Answer 22

a federal government agency that issues guidelines to protect and improve the health and safety of individuals and communities.

Question 23

Standard Precautions

Answer 23

a method of infection prevention in which all blood and other body fluids, nonintact skin, and mucous membranes are treated as if they were infected.

Question 24

sharps

Answer 24

needles or other sharp objects.

Question 25

hand hygiene

Answer 25

washing hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Question 26

personal protective equipment (PPE)

Answer 26

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

Question 27

don

Answer 27

to put on.

Question 28

doff

Answer 28

to remove.

Question 29

perineal care

Answer 29

care of the genital and anal area.

Question 30

nonintact skin

Answer 30

skin that is broken by abrasions, cuts, rashes, acne, pimples, lesions, surgical incisions, or boils.

Question 31

Transmission-Based Precautions

Answer 31

a method of infection prevention used when caring for persons who are infected or may be infected with certain infectious diseases.

Question 32

multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs)

Answer 32

microorganisms, mostly bacteria, that are resistant to one or more antimicrobial agents that are commonly used for treatment.

Question 33

antimicrobial

Answer 33

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

Question 34

isolate

Answer 34

to keep something separate, or by itself.

Question 35

bloodborne pathogens

Answer 35

microorganisms found in human blood that can cause infection and disease in humans.

Question 36

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)

Answer 36

a virus that weakens the body’s immune system so the body cannot effectively fight infections; eventually can cause AIDS.

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

Bloodborne Pathogens Standard

Answer 38

microorganisms found in human blood that can cause infection and disease in humans.

Question 39

engineering controls

Answer 39

features of medical devices that make their use less hazardous.

Question 40

exposure control plan

Answer 40

a plan designed to eliminate or reduce employee exposure to infectious material.

Question 41

clean

Answer 41

in health care, a condition in which an object has not been contaminated with pathogens.

Question 42

dirty

Answer 42

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

Question 43

disinfection

Answer 43

a process that destroys most, but not all, pathogens; it reduces the pathogen count to a level that is considered not infectious.

Question 44

sterilization

Answer 44

a cleaning measure used to decrease the spread of pathogens and disease by destroying all microorganisms, including those that form spores.

Question 45

disposable

Answer 45

to be used only once and then discarded.

Question 46

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Answer 46

bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) that have developed resistance to the antibiotic methicillin.

Question 47

vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE)

Answer 47

bacteria (enterococci) that have developed resistance to the antibiotic vancomycin.

Question 48

Clostridioides difficile

Answer 48

a bacterium that is spread by spores in feces; it causes symptoms such as diarrhea and nausea and can lead to serious inflammation of the colon (colitis).