| A | B |
|---|
| Infection | a disease process that results from the entry and spread of a microorganism |
| Microorganism | an organism so small that it can only be seen under a microscope |
| Pathogen | a microorganism that causes disease |
| Virulence | the power of a microorganism to produce disease in a particular host; determined by strain of organism and number present |
| Normal (Resident) Flora | microorganisms that are normally present in the human body; can be found on all external surfaces; are not usually pathogenic in their own environment |
| Bacteria | single-celled organisms that multiply by cell division |
| Moisture, nutrients, warmth, darkness | elements necessary for the survivial of all bacteria |
| aerobe | a bacterium or organism that requires oxygen |
| anaerobe | a bacterium or organism that does not require oxygen |
| Cocci | spherical bacteria |
| staphylococci | spherical bacteria arranged in grape-like clusters |
| streptococci | spherical bacteria arranged in chains |
| diplococci | spherical bacteria arranged in pairs |
| bacilli | rod-shaped bacteria |
| spirilla | spiral-shaped bacteria |
| virus | very small organism that cannot be seen by a regular microscope; cannot live or reproduce on its own; does not respond to antibiotics |
| fungi; yeasts | single-celled organisms that use spores to reproduce |
| protozoa | single-celled organisms found mostly in contaminated water and sewage |
| Local infection | infection that is confined to one location |
| systemic infection | infection that affects the whole body |
| Acute infection | infection with a rapid onset and relatively short duration |
| Chronic infection | an infection with a gradual onset and longer duration |
| Remission (latency) | an asymptomatic period of a chronic infection |
| Exacerbation | a symptomatic period of a chronic infection |
| Opportunistic Infection | an infection that only occurs under special circumstances that cause the immune system to be weakened |
| Primary Infection | the original or initial infection an individual displays |
| Secondary Infection | Occurs when a bacterial infection follows or complicates a condition already present |
| Recurrent Infection | Repetition of an infection after recovery; distinct episode |
| Nosocomial Infection | An infection acquired in the hospital; occurs because patients are weakened and there is a greate variety of microorganisms |
| Chain of infection | the steps in the process of infection |
| Causative organism | pathogenic microorganism that begins the chain of infection |
| Host Reservoir | provides the environment for the causative organism to live an grow |
| portal of Exit | the pathway out of the host reservoir |
| mode of transmission | the method of transport from the host reservoir to the susceptible host |
| Portal of Entry | opening through with an organism can enter a potential host |
| Susceptible host | an organism that is vulnerable to the infectious agent |
| mechanical defenses | Barriers (skin and mucous membranes); cilia; hairs; wax; secretions; reflexes |
| Antigen | any foreign substance that enters the body and stimulates an immune response |
| Antibodies | molecules produced by the immune system that tag and deactivate antigens |
| Immunity | a state of being resistant |
| Natural Active Immunity | immunity that occurs when the body makes its own antibodies in response to natural exposure |
| Artification Active Immunity | immunity where the body makes antibodies in response to a vaccine |
| Natural Passive Immunity | Immunity that occurs due to antibodies that are passed from mother to child during pregnancy and nursing; temporary |
| Artificial Passive Immunity | Immunity that occurs when antibodies are taken from another individual and introduced into the bloodstream; temporary |
| General health and lifestyle; Age; Immune diseases | factors affecting immunity |
| vaccine | a serum that contains killed or attenuated (weakened) antigens that is introduced into the body to stimulate antibody response |
| HIV | the Human Immunodeficiency Virus |
| AIDS | Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; caused by late-stage infection with HIV |
| Mode of Transmission | most effective place to break the chain of infection |
| Personal cleanliness | first line of defense against pathogenic organisms |
| Asepsis | a state in which pathogens are absent or reduced |
| Medical asepsis | killing germs after they leave the body; examples: washing hands, disinfecting tools and equipment used in exams; disposing of garbage promptly; covering coughs and sneezes |
| Surgical asepsis | destroying pathogens before they can enter the body; example: sterilization of tools before performing a procedure |
| Sanitization, Disinfection, Sterilization | Three levels of hygiene |
| Sanitization | first step in the cleaning process; removes gross contaminants; example: using a sanitizing detergent when washing |
| Disinfection | second step in the cleaning process; significantly reduces but does not eliminate pathogen contamination; examples: using ultraviolet light, cleaning tissue with alcohol |
| Sterlization | Last step in the cleaning process; complete removal of all pathogens and spores; example: autoclave |
| Autoclave | device used to sterilize with steam; objects should be wrapped before being sterilized so they will maintain their level of asepsis during storage |
| Quality Assurance | the systematic process of checking to see whether a product or service is meeting specified requirements |
| Accreditation | detailed comparison of an organization's services againse a national standard |
| Credentialing | comparison of a health care provider's education and experience against a national standard |
| Review | a "go-through" of policies, procedures, etc |
| Incident Report | formal documentation of any lapse of procedure |
| Summary of events; detailed event history; list of who was present at the time of the event; actions taken; recommendations for preventing future occurances | items included on an incident report |
| Occupational Health and Safety Act | Legislation that sets out the rights and responsibilities of people in the workplace |
| WHMIS | Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System |
