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Lesson 3 - Infection Control
Infection control for the medical assistant
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06/17/2010

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Term
Microorgansisms
Definition
Living organisms too small to be seen by the naked eye.
Term
Normal flora
Definition
Organisms found on and in a person's body that do not cause disease.
Term
Pathogen
Definition
Disease producing microorganism.
Term
Aerobic Pathogen
Definition
Pathogen that requires an environment with oxygen.
Term
Anaerobic Pathogen
Definition
Pathogen that can live in an oxygen-free environment.
Term
Name the five main types of pathogens
Definition
Bacteria, Rickettsia, Virus, Fungus, and Protozoa
Term
Bacteria
Definition
Are one-celled organisms.
Term
Name the three types of bacteria
Definition
Cocci(round shaped), Bacilli(rod shaped), spirilla(spiral shaped)
Term
Rickettsia
Definition
Are a genus of bacteria known as parasites, which are organisms that must live inside another living organism to survive. (Spreads to humans via vectors.)
Term
Vector
Definition
Is a disease carrier that transmits a disease from an infected person to a noninfected person, such as ticks, mites, and lice.
Term
Virus
Definition
Pathogen that can grow and reproduce only after infecting a host cell. (More than 400 types) They are the smallest pathogen.
Term
Why are viruses difficult to treat?
Definition
The protein in their outer cell membrane prevents antibiotics from affecting them.
Term
What kind of diseases do viruses cause?
Definition
The common cold, hepatitis, chicken pox, and human immunodeficiency virus(HIV).
Term
Fungus
Definition
Single-celled organisms, such as yeast, or multicellular colonies, such as mold and mushrooms. (Most fungi do not cause disease and are present in the body's normal flora.
Term
Protozoa
Definition
Disease causing microorganisms that live mainly in soil. Spread through the fecal-oral route.
Term
What is the chain of infection?
Definition
A series of steps that must occur for disease to spread. All of the links in the chain must be active.
Term
What are the six links in the chain of infection?
Definition
1-Pathogenic microorganisms
2-Reservoir host
3-Means of exit
4-Mode of transmission
5-Means of entry
6-Susceptible host
Term
Pathogen
Definition
First link in the chain of infection, thrives in warm, moist environments.
Term
Bloodborne Pathogen
Definition
Pathogen that is present in the blood, and can be transmitted through blood or body fluids.
Term
Opportunistic Pathogen
Definition
Usually harmless but become pathogenic under specific circumstances, such as exposure to an immunocompromised host.
Term
Reservoir Host
Definition
Organism from which pathogenic organisms such as bacteria or viruses obtain their nourishment. (considered contagious)
Term
Means of Exit
Definition
Any opening of the body that is lined with mucous membranes. Such as eyes, nose, mouth, throat, vagina, and rectum.
Term
What might be another site of exit?
Definition
Interuption in the normal protective structures of the body, such as injury or surgery to the skin and underlying tissues. Pathogens can also exit from the body via blood and other body fluids.
Term
Mode of Transmission
Definition
A pathogen can be transmitted to another person by direct contact or indirect contact.
Term
Direct Contact
Definition
Skin to skin contact, such as hand shaking,kissing, or the exchange of body fluids.
Term
Indirect Contact
Definition
Pathogens trasmitted by contact with inanimate objects called fomites.
Term
Fomites
Definition
Virtually any object can be a fomite such as, coutertops, hairbrushes, combs, door knobs, drink containers, handles of shopping carts, and pencils.
Term
Airborne Transmission
Definition
A form of indirect contact, occurs when an infected individual sprays pathogens into the air via coughing, sneezing...
Term
Name three diseases that are transmitted by air
Definition
Tuberculosis, Measle, and Varicella virus
Term
Means of Entry
Definition
Pathogens gain entry in much the same way as they exit, usually via contact with mucous membranes, or a break in the skin.
Term
Susceptible Host
Definition
If a host is susceptible pathogens will grow and multiply, eventually reaching an infectious level. There are a number of conditions that increase host susceptibility and most contribute to a weakened immune system.
Term
What are the three types of infection?
Definition
Acute, Chronic, and Latent
Term
Acute Infection
Definition
Typically have a quick onset and short duration. Example of an acute infection is a common cold.
Term
Chronic Infection
Definition
Lasts for a long time, Sometimes years even a lifetime. Patients may be asymptomatic, or symptoms may fluctuate. An example of a chronic infection is Hepatitis C.
Term
Latent Infection
Definition
Patients experience alternating periods of being symptom-free. The infecting organism never leaves the body but lies dormant between relapses. An example of a latent infection is Herpes virus.
Term
What does the stages of disease include?
Definition
Incubation, Prodromal, Acute, Declining, and Convalescent
Term
Incubation Stage
Definition
Sometimes called the latent period, is the beginning stage of an infectious disease and starts at first contact with the pathogen. May be asymptomatic, commonly considered contagious.
Term
Prodromal Stage
Definition
Marks the interval between the earliest symptoms and the appearance of a rash or elevated temperature. May be contagious.
Term
Acute Stages
Definition
Symptoms peak, and the patient feels worst. Continues to be contagious.
Term
Declining Stage
Definition
Is charicterized by a continuation of the disease but a lessoning of the symptoms. May be contagious.
Term
Convalescent Stage
Definition
Recovery period begins when symptoms disappear and continues until patient returns to a normal state of health. Not contagious.
Term
What are the three main types of defense mechanisms?
Definition
Mechanical, Chemical, and Cellular
Term
Mechanical Defenses
Definition
Includes certain structures and functions of the body that protect it from pathogens. Such as skin protecting the body from the external environment.
Term
What is the body's first line of defense?
Definition
Skin
Term
Chemical Defenses
Definition
Chemical barriers that help protect the body from pathogens.
Term
Cellular Defenses
Definition
Various cells that act to protect the body from pathogens.
Term
What are some cellular defenses?
Definition
Inflammatory response, cell-mediated immunity, and antibody-mediated immunity.
Term
The inflammatory response is designed to do what?
Definition
It is the body's immediate immunological defense against injury, infection, or allergy.
Term
What three chemicals are released that cause inflammation?
Definition
Histamine, Prostaglandins, and Kinin
Term
Phagocytosis
Definition
Process in which specialized white blood cells (phagocytes) engulf and destroy microorganisms, foreign antigens, and cellular debris.
Term
Immunity
Definition
Protection from infectious disease.
Term
Active Natural Immunity
Definition
Develops when the body is exposed to a pathogenic microorganism. Antigens enter the body by natural means. The body's immune system responds by producing antibodies.
Term
Active Artificial Immunity
Definition
Develops when an antigen is purposely introduced into a person's body in the form of a vaccine.
Term
Passive Natural Immunity
Definition
Develops when already formed antibodies are passed from mother to fetus across the placenta during pregnancy, or her infant through breast milk.
Term
Passive Artificial Immunity
Definition
Develops when preformed antibodes are developed in an animal or in another human and are then injected into an individual who has experienced a known exposure.
Term
What two oganiazations play an important role in the safety guidelines and regulations in medical offices?
Definition
Center for Disease Control and prevention and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Term
CDC
Definition
Center for Disease Control
Term
OSHA
Definition
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Term
Standard Precautions
Definition
Revised guidlines provided by the CDC that advise health care providers about the handling of any blood or body fluids.
Term
What is a nosocomial infection?
Definition
An infection a person aquires in a hospital or medical office.
Term
What is the main goal of OSHA?
Definition
To ensure safe, healthy working conditions for Americans.
Term
PPE
Definition
Personal Protective Equipment
Term
What does common PPE include?
Definition
Gloves, masks, eye protection, shoe covers, and gowns.
Term
When should PPE be replaced?
Definition
When it becomes contaminated or damaged.
Term
What is required to have the biohazard label?
Definition
Containers that hold blood or body fluids.
Term
What should an employee do if they are exposed to a bloodborne pathogen?
Definition
They must wash or flush the exposed area and then report the incident to their employer right away. They must document the incident.
Term
How should a medical assistant handle a biohazard spill?
Definition
First they should apply proper PPE. Next contain the spill with paper towels, then cover the entire spill with a 10% bleach solution, and let stand for 20 minutes. They must use a mechanical device not theirs hands to clean the spill. Then place all items in a biohazard container and repeat the bleach application process. The incident must be documented.
Term
Sanitization
Definition
Removal of microoganisms using chemicals, heat, or ionizing radiation. Sanatize before disinfection.
Term
Disinfection
Definition
Typically involves the application of a substance to equipment, surfaces, or other items to kill pathogenic microorganisms.
Term
Sterilization
Definition
Destroys the tough pathogens (spores), using chemicals, ionizing radiation, dry heat, gas, or steam.
Term
Asepsis
Definition
Practice of maintaining an environment free from pathogens.
Term
What are the three levels involved in asepsis?
Definition
Sanitization, Disinfection, and Sterilization
Term
MSDS
Definition
Material Safety Data Sheet
Term
Spores
Definition
Bacterial or fungal cells that are resistant to temperature extremes.
Term
Autoclave
Definition
Device that sterilizes items using steam pressure at a temperature of 250 to 270 degrees F
Term
Chemical Sterilization
Definition
When instruments are sterilized with chemicals because they can not withstand the high temperature of the autoclave.
Term
Name the two different types of asepsis
Definition
Medical Asepsis and Surgical Asepsis
Term
Medical Asepsis
Definition
Refers to the destruction of pathogenic organisms after they leave the body.
Term
Surgical Asepsis
Definition
The practice of destroying all pathogenic organisms before they enter the body.
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