Infection Control Terms and Definitions

Questions and Answers

What is acquired immunodeficiency syndrome?

A disease that destroys the immune system (correct)

A type of food allergy

A viral infection that causes the common cold

A disease that affects the digestive system

What is acquired immunity?

Immunity that the body develops after overcoming a disease, through inoculation, or through exposure to natural allergens.

Define allergy.

Reaction due to extreme sensitivity to certain foods or chemicals.

What is antiseptic?

Chemical germicide formulated for use on skin and regulated by the FDA. Signup and view all the answers

Define asymptomatic.

Showing no symptoms or signs of infection. Signup and view all the answers

What are bacilli?

Short rod-shaped bacteria. Signup and view all the answers

What are bacteria?

Single-celled microorganisms that can be harmful or harmless. Signup and view all the answers

What are bacterial spores?

Bacteria capable of producing a protective coating. Signup and view all the answers

What does bactericidal mean?

Capable of destroying bacteria. Signup and view all the answers

Define binary fission.

The division of bacterial cells into two new cells called daughter cells. Signup and view all the answers

What are biofilms?

Colonies of bacteria that adhere together and adhere to surfaces. Signup and view all the answers

What are bloodborne pathogens?

Disease-causing microorganisms carried in the blood or body fluids. Signup and view all the answers

Define cilia.

Hairlike extensions that help sweep away fluids and particles. Signup and view all the answers

What is cleaning?

The process of removing visible contaminants from a surface. Signup and view all the answers

What are cocci?

Round-shaped bacteria that may appear singly or in groups. Signup and view all the answers

What does communicable mean?

Able to spread from person to person. Signup and view all the answers

What is a contagious disease?

A disease that is spread from person to person. Signup and view all the answers

Define contamination.

The presence of blood or potentially infectious materials on a surface. Signup and view all the answers

What is diagnosis?

Determination of the cause and nature of a disease. Signup and view all the answers

What are diplococci?

Spherical bacteria that grow in pairs. Signup and view all the answers

What is direct transmission?

Transmission of blood or body fluids through direct contact. Signup and view all the answers

Define disease.

An abnormal condition of the body that affects normal function. Signup and view all the answers

What are disinfectants?

Chemical products that destroy bacteria, fungi, and viruses on surfaces. Signup and view all the answers

Define disinfection.

A chemical process that destroys harmful organisms on surfaces. Signup and view all the answers

What is efficacy?

The ability to produce a desired result. Signup and view all the answers

What is an exposure incident?

Contact with broken skin, blood, or potentially infectious materials. Signup and view all the answers

Define flagella.

Slender, hair-like extensions used for movement. Signup and view all the answers

What are fungi?

Single-celled organisms that include molds, mildews, and yeasts. Signup and view all the answers

What does fungicidal mean?

Capable of destroying fungi. Signup and view all the answers

What is hepatitis?

A bloodborne virus that can damage the liver. Signup and view all the answers

What are hospital disinfectants?

Disinfectants effective for cleaning blood and body fluids on nonporous surfaces. Signup and view all the answers

What is human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)?

The virus that causes AIDS. Signup and view all the answers

Define immunity.

Resistance to disease. Signup and view all the answers

What is the inactive stage of bacteria?

The stage in which bacteria do not grow or reproduce. Signup and view all the answers

What is indirect transmission?

Transmission through contact with an intermediate contaminated object. Signup and view all the answers

Define infection.

Invasion of the body by a pathogenic organism. Signup and view all the answers

What is infection control?

Methods used to eliminate or reduce transmission of infectious organisms. Signup and view all the answers

What does infectious mean?

Contagious. Signup and view all the answers

What is an infectious disease?

A disease caused by a pathogen that can spread from one individual to another. Signup and view all the answers

What is inflammation?

A condition where part of the body becomes red, swollen, and painful. Signup and view all the answers

Define local infection.

An infection confined to a particular part of the body. Signup and view all the answers

What is Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)?

A type of staph infection that is resistant to several common antibiotics. Signup and view all the answers

Define microorganism.

Any organism of microscopic size. Signup and view all the answers

What is mildew?

A type of fungus that affects plants or grows on inanimate objects. Signup and view all the answers

What is motility?

Self-movement. Signup and view all the answers

What does multiuse mean?

Reusable. Signup and view all the answers

Define natural immunity.

Immunity that is partly inherited and partly developed through healthy living. Signup and view all the answers

What does nonpathogenic mean?

Harmless organisms that may perform useful functions. Signup and view all the answers

Define nonporous.

An item made of a material that cannot absorb liquids. Signup and view all the answers

What is occupational disease?

Illness resulting from conditions associated with employment. Signup and view all the answers

What are parasites?

Organisms that live on or in a host and cause it harm. Signup and view all the answers

Define parasitic disease.

Disease caused by parasites, such as lice and mites. Signup and view all the answers

What is pathogenic disease?

Disease produced by organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Signup and view all the answers

What is pediculosis capitis?

Infection of the hair and scalp with head lice. Signup and view all the answers

What are phenolic disinfectants?

Powerful disinfectants that can damage skin and eyes. Signup and view all the answers

Define porous.

Made of a material that has pores or openings. Signup and view all the answers

What is pus?

A fluid created by infection. Signup and view all the answers

What are quaternary ammonium compounds?

Disinfectants that are very effective when used properly. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Safety Data Sheet?

A document that includes safety information about products. Signup and view all the answers

What is sanitation?

A chemical process for reducing disease-causing germs. Signup and view all the answers

What is scabies?

A contagious skin disease transmitted by the itch mite. Signup and view all the answers

What is sodium hypochlorite?

Bleach. Signup and view all the answers

What are spirilla?

Spiral or corkscrew-shaped bacteria. Signup and view all the answers

What are standard precautions?

Guidelines that assume human blood and body fluids are potentially infectious. Signup and view all the answers

What are staphylococci?

Pus-forming bacteria that grow in clusters. Signup and view all the answers

What is sterilization?

The process that completely destroys all microbial life. Signup and view all the answers

Define streptococci.

Pus-forming bacteria arranged in curved lines. Signup and view all the answers

What is tinea barbae?

Also known as barber's itch, a superficial fungal infection. Signup and view all the answers

What is tinea capitis?

A fungal infection on the scalp, also known as ringworm. Signup and view all the answers

What are toxins?

Various poisonous substances produced by microorganisms. Signup and view all the answers

What are tuberculocidal disinfectants?

Disinfectants that kill the bacteria that cause tuberculosis. Signup and view all the answers

What is tuberculosis (TB)?

A disease caused by bacterial infiltration of the respiratory system. Signup and view all the answers

What does virucidal mean?

Capable of destroying viruses. Signup and view all the answers

What is a virus?

A parasitic submicroscopic particle that infects biological organisms. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Infection Control Terms and Definitions

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS): Disease that severely weakens the immune system, caused by HIV, potentially leading to death.
Acquired Immunity: Immunity developed through overcoming diseases or vaccination, enhancing body's defenses.
Allergy: Hypersensitive reaction to specific foods or chemicals.
Antiseptic: FDA-regulated chemical germicide for skin use, designed to reduce infection risk.
Asymptomatic: Absence of observable symptoms of infection.
Bacilli: Rod-shaped bacteria responsible for diseases like tuberculosis and tetanus.
Bacteria: Microscopic single-celled organisms, some beneficial while others can be harmful.
Bacterial Spores: Protective forms of bacteria allowing survival in harsh environments until conditions improve.
Bactericidal: Agents that effectively eliminate bacteria.
Binary Fission: Asexual reproduction method in bacteria resulting in two identical daughter cells.
Biofilms: Aggregates of bacteria adhering to surfaces and each other, including human tissues.
Bloodborne Pathogens: Pathogenic microorganisms present in blood and bodily fluids.
Cilia: Hair-like structures on cells that help in movement and clearing away particles.
Cleaning: Process of removing visible contaminants using soap and water.
Cocci: Round bacteria, which can form alone or in clusters (e.g., staphylococci, streptococci).
Communicable: Capable of being transmitted between individuals.
Contagious Disease: Spreadable disease through direct person-to-person contact.
Contamination: Presence of infectious materials or visible dirt on surfaces.
Diagnosis: Identification of disease nature and causation.
Diplococci: Bacteria that form pairs, associated with pneumonia.
Direct Transmission: Spreading of infections through direct contact with infected body fluids.
Disease: Abnormal condition impairing normal bodily functions.
Disinfectants: EPA-approved substances that kill bacteria, fungi, and viruses on surfaces (not spores).
Disinfection: Use of chemicals to eliminate harmful organisms from surfaces.
Efficacy: Effectiveness of a product in achieving desired outcomes.
Exposure Incident: Contact with potentially infectious materials, including blood.
Flagella: Whip-like structures aiding bacterial movement.
Fungi: Single-celled organisms that can cause infections like ringworm.
Fungicidal: Agents that destroy fungal organisms.
Hepatitis: Bloodborne virus affecting and damaging the liver.
Hospital Disinfectants: Effective for cleaning nonporous surfaces contaminated with fluids.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): Virus responsible for AIDS.
Immunity: Body's resistance to specific diseases.
Inactive Stage: Phase where bacteria do not actively grow, often as spores.
Indirect Transmission: Infection spread through contaminated objects.
Infection: Invasion or multiplication of pathogens in the body.
Infection Control: Strategies to reduce transmission of infectious agents.
Infectious: Describes a condition that is easily spread.
Infectious Disease: Illness caused by transmission of pathogens.
Inflammation: Body's response characterized by redness, swelling, and pain.
Local Infection: Infection confined to a specific body part with visible lesions.
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA): Antibiotic-resistant staph infection.
Microorganism: Any microscopic organism, including bacteria and viruses.
Mildew: Fungal growth affecting plants or surfaces.
Motility: Ability of organisms to move independently.
Multiuse: Items designed for multiple uses without degradation.
Natural Immunity: Immunity partially inherited and enhanced through a healthy lifestyle.
Nonpathogenic: Harmless microorganisms that can provide benefits.
Nonporous: Materials that do not absorb liquids, making them easier to disinfect.
Occupational Disease: Illness arising from job-related conditions.
Parasites: Organisms that live within or on a host, causing harm.
Parasitic Disease: Illness caused by parasites like lice.
Pathogenic Disease: Illness caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.
Pediculosis Capitis: Infestation of the scalp with head lice.
Phenolic Disinfectants: Strong disinfectants harmful to skin and eyes, effective against tuberculosis.
Porous: Materials that can absorb liquids due to their openings.
Pus: Fluid produced as a result of infection.
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats): Effective salon disinfectants when used properly.
Safety Data Sheet: Document outlining safety information on products, including hazardous ingredients and handling.
Sanitation: Process to reduce disease-causing germs on cleaned surfaces to safe levels.
Scabies: Contagious skin infestation by mites.
Sodium Hypochlorite: Commonly known as bleach, used as a disinfectant.
Spirilla: Spiral-shaped bacteria that cause diseases, including syphilis.
Standard Precautions: CDC guidelines treating all human blood and body fluids as potentially infectious.
Staphylococci: Clustered bacteria causing abscesses and skin infections.
Sterilization: Complete destruction of all microbial life, including spores.
Streptococci: Curved bacteria linked to infections like strep throat.
Tinea Barbae: Fungal skin infection commonly found in barbers.
Tinea Capitis: Fungal scalp infection, also called ringworm.
Toxins: Poisonous substances produced by microorganisms.
Tuberculocidal Disinfectants: Disinfectants effective against the bacteria causing tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis (TB): Infection caused by bacteria that primarily affects the respiratory system.
Virucidal: Capable of destroying viruses.
Virus: Parasitic entities that infect host cells.

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Description

Test your knowledge on key terms and definitions related to infection control. This quiz covers essential concepts like acquired immunity, bactericidal agents, and various types of bacteria. Suitable for healthcare professionals and students in health-related fields.