Term | Definition |
Aerobe | A microorganism that need oxygen to live and grow. |
Anaerobe | A microorganism that grows best in the absence of oxygen. |
Antiseptic | An agent that inhibits the growth of or kills microorganisms. |
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 becomes thiswhen it touches something that is not clean. |
Decontaminatation | The use of physical or chemical means to remove,inactivate,or destroy pathogens on a surface or item to the point where they are no longer capable of transmitting infectious particles;the surface or item is rendered safe for handling use or disposal. |
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 as a break in the surface. It includes, but is not limited to, abrasions, cuts, hangnails, paper cuts, and burns. |
Nonpathogens | A microorganisms that does not normally produce disease. |
Opportunistic Infection | An infection that results from a defective immune system that can not defend the body from pathogens normally found in the environment. |
Optimum Growth Temperature | he temperature at which an organism grows best. |
Parenteral | Taken into the body through the piercing of the skin barrier or mucous membranes, such as tho.ugh needlesticks, human bites, cuts & abrasions |
Pathogen | A disease-producing microorganisms. |
Perinatal | Relating to the period shortly before & after birth. |
pH | The degree to which a solution is acidic or basic. |
Postexposure Prophylaxis | Treatment administered to an individual after exposure to an infectious disease to prevent the disease. |
Regulated Medical Waste | Medical waste that poses a threat to health& safety. |
Reservoir Host | The organism that becomes infected by a pathogen & serves as a source of transfer of the pathogen 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 affected; lacking resistance. |
Transient Flora | Microorganisms that reside on the superficial skin layers & are picked up in the course of daily activities. They are often pathogentic but can be removed easily from the skin by sanitizing the hands. |
Hand Hygiene | The process of cleaning or sanitizing the hands. |