Surgical Asepsis and Infection Control Quiz: Test Your Knowledge

What is the defining characteristic of acute infections?

What is the term used for infections associated with the delivery of health care services in a healthcare setting?

Which of the following is a common source of reservoir for the etiologic agent in the chain of infection?

How can infections be transmitted through indirect vehicle borne transmission?

Under what conditions can droplet spread occur?

What is the definition of sepsis?

Which term refers to the process by which strains of microorganisms become resident flora?

What is the primary purpose of surgical asepsis or sterile technique?

What is the main characteristic of a communicable disease?

Which term refers to the absence of almost all microorganisms?

The defining characteristic of acute infections is a rapid onset and short duration.

Healthcare-Associated Infections

Infections associated with the delivery of health care services in a healthcare setting are termed healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).

Chain of Infection

A common source of reservoir for the etiologic agent in the chain of infection is the infected patient.
Indirect vehicle-borne transmission occurs when an inanimate object contaminated with an infectious agent is introduced into a susceptible host.

Droplet Transmission

Droplet spread occurs when droplets containing infectious agents are propelled a short distance through the air, usually during coughing, sneezing, or talking.

Sepsis

Sepsis is defined as a systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) caused by a confirmed infectious agent.

Colonization

The process by which strains of microorganisms become resident flora is called colonization.

Surgical Asepsis

The primary purpose of surgical asepsis or sterile technique is to reduce the number of microorganisms on the skin and on medical equipment to minimal levels.

Communicable Diseases

The main characteristic of a communicable disease is that it can be transmitted from one person to another.

Sterility

Asepsis refers to the absence of almost all microorganisms.

Test your knowledge on the concepts of medical and surgical asepsis, pathogens, communicable diseases, sepsis, and asepsis. Understand the differences between clean and dirty conditions in terms of microorganism presence.