Fundamentals Chapter 10: Asepsis

Front 1

Describe microorganisms

Back 1

living animals or plants visible only with a microscope, commonly called germs

Front 2

name eight specific types of microorganisms

Back 2

bacteria, virsuses, fungi, rickettsiae, protozoans, mycoplasmas, helminths, and prions.

Front 3

differentiate between nonpathogens and pathogens.

Back 3

pathogens are microorganisms that cause illness.
nonpathogens (normal flora) are harmless, beneficial microorganisms

Front 4

differentiate between resident and transient microorganisms

Back 4

resident - generally nonpathogens constantly present on the skin
transient - pathogens picked up during brief contact with contaminated reservoirs

Front 5

differentiate between aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms

Back 5

aerobic - require oxygen to live
anaerobic - require no oxygen to live

Front 6

give two examples of biologic defense mechanisms

Back 6

mechanical - physical barriers tht prevent microorganisms from entering the body or expel them before they multiply
chemical - destroy or incapacitate microorganisms through natural biologic substances

Front 7

name six components of the chain of infection

Back 7

an infectious agent
a reservoir for growth and reproduction
an exit route from the reservoir
a mode of transmission
a port of entry
a susceptible host

Front 8

cite examples of biologic defense mechanisms

Back 8

mechanical - intact skin and mucous membranes, reflexes such as sneezing and coughing, and infection fighting blood cells called phagocytes or macrophages.
chemical - lysozyme, an enzyme found in tears and other secretionsm can dissolve the cell wall of some microorganisms.

Front 9

define nosocomial infection

Back 9

infections acquires while a person is receiving care in a health care agency

Front 10

discuss the concept of asepsis

Back 10

those practices that decrease or eliminate infectious agents, their reservoirs, and vehicles for transmission.

Front 11

differentiate between medical and surgical asepsis

Back 11

medical - those practices that confine or reduce the numbers of microorganisms. (clean technique)
surgical - measures that render supplies and equipment totally free of microorganisms. sterile technique

Front 12

identify at least 3 principles of medical asepsis

Back 12

- microorganisms exist everywhere expect on sterilized equipment
- frequent handwashing and maintaining intact skin are the best methods
- blood, body fluids, cells, and tissues are considered major reservoirs of microorganisms
- personal protective equipment such as gloves, gowns, masks, goggles, and hair and shoe covers serve as a barrier to microbial transmission.
- a clean environment reduces microorganisms
- certain areas - floow, toilets, and insides of sinks are more contaminated than others.

Front 13

list 5 examples of medical aseptic practices

Back 13

using antimocrobial agents
handwashing
performing hand antisepsis
performing surgical scrub
wearing personal protective equipment
confining soiled articles
keeping the environment clean

Front 14

name at least 3 techniques for sterilizing equipment

Back 14

radiation
boiling water
free flowing steam
dry heat
steam under pressure
chemical

Front 15

identify at least 3 principles for surgical asepsis

Back 15

- they preserve sterility by touching one sterile item with another that is sterile
- once a sterile item touches something that is not, it's contaminated
- any partially unwrapped sterile package is considered contaminated
- if there is a question about the sterility of an item, it's contaminated
- the longer the time since sterilization, the more likely it is that the item is no longer sterile
- a commercially packaged sterile item is not consideres sterile past its recommended expiration date

Front 16

list at least 3 nursing activities that require application of the principles of surgical asepsis

Back 16

creating a sterile field
adding items to a sterile field
donning sterile gloves
donning a sterile gown

Front 17

what are community acquired infections?

Back 17

diseases that can be transmitted to other people - aka communicable diseases and contagious diseases.

Front 18

what is a concurrent disinfection?

Back 18

measures that keep the client environment clean on a daily basis

Front 19

what is an exit route?

Back 19

means by which microorganisms escape from their original reservoir

Front 20

what is an opportunistic infection?

Back 20

disorders caused by nonpathogens that occur in people with compromised health

Front 21

what is a spore?

Back 21

temporarily inactive microbial life form

Front 22

what is surgical scrub?

Back 22

skin and nail antisepsis performed prior to the nurse's donning sterile gloves and garments in an operative or obstetrical procedure

Front 23

what is a viral load?

Back 23

number of viral copies

Front 24

what is virulence?

Back 24

extent of dangerousness