Term | Definition |
aerobe | a microorganism that needs oxygen to live & grow. |
anaerobe | a microorganism that grows best in the absence of oxygen. |
antiseptic | an agent that inhabits the growth of or kills mcroorganisms |
asepsis | free from infection or pathogens; the actions practiced to make & maintain an area or object free from infection or pathogens |
cilia | slender, hairlike projections that constantly beat toward the outside to remove microorganisms from the body. |
contaminate | to soil or to make impure. an aseptic object become "this" when it touches something that is not clean. |
decontamination | the use or physical or chemical means to remove, inactive, or destroy pathogens on a surface or item to the point where they are no longer capable of transmitting infectious particles; the surface or items is rendered safe for handling, use or disposal. |
hand hygiene | the process of cleansing or sanitizing the hands. |
infection | the condition in which the body, or part of it, is invaded by a pathogen. |
medical asepsis | practices that are employed to reduce the number & hinder the transmission of pathogens. |
microorganism | a microscopic plant or animal. |
nonintact skin | skin that has a break in the surface. it includes, but is not limited to, abrasions, cuts, hangnails, paper cuts, and burns. |
nonpathogen | a microorganism that does not normally produce disease. |
opportunistic infection | an infection that results from a defective immune system that cannot defend the body from pathogens normally found in the environment. |
optimum growth temperature | the temperature at which an organism grows best. |
parenteral | taken into the body through the piercing of the skin barrier or mucous membranes, such as through needlesticks, human bites, & abrasions. |
pathogen | a disease producing microorganism. |
perinatal | relating to the period shortly before & after birth. |
pH | the degree to which a solution is acidic or basic. |
postexposure prophylaxis | treatment administration to an individual after exposure to an infections disease to prevent the disease |
regulated medical waste | medical waste that poses a threat to health & safety |
reservior host | the organism that becomes infected by a pathogen & serves as a source of transfer of the pathogens to others. |
resident flora | harmless, nonpathogenic, microorganisms that normally reside on the skin & usually do not cause disease; also known as normal flora |
susceptible | easily effected; lacking resistance. |
transient flora | microorgansims that reside on the superficial layers & are picked up in the course of daily activities. They are often pathogenic but can be removed easily from the skin by sanitizing the hands. |