Term | Definition |
autoclave | a device using steam for sterilization |
antigen | a pathogen or any other substance that induces an antibody response |
antibody | a protein specific to a certain antigen that weakens or detroys pathogens |
nosocomial infection | a hospital-related infection; one that is not present or incubating when a patient is admitted to a hospital or a healthcare facility |
systemic infection | an infection that has spread to more than one region of the body |
sharp | any instrument with a sharp edge or point, sucha as a scalpel, scissors or a needle |
topical | applied to the skin or affected area |
anaerobic bacteria | bacteria that do not require oxygen to grow |
aerobic bacteria | bacteria that do require oxygen to grow |
teratogenic | causing abnormalities in the fetus |
antiseptic | a cleansing agent applied to living tissue to destroy pathogens |
latent infection | once in which the symptoms disappear and recur, while the disease-causing agent remains in the body |
sterile | completely free of pathogens |
sterilant | a substance that destroys or eliminates all forms of microbial life in an inanimate environment |
disinfectant | a chemical substance that destroys or eliminates specific species of infectious microorganisms. It is not usually effective against bacterial spores |
infection | a disease process that results from the entry and spread of a microorganism |
contagious disease | a disease that is spread from person to person |
immunity | an individuals ability to fight off disease |
active infection | an infection in which signs and symptoms are present |
otitis media | infection of the middle ear |
acute infection | an infection that is time limited |
quarantine | isolating or separating a client, client-care unit, or facility |
bactericidal | killing microorganisms |
local infection | an infection that is confined to a specific region of the body |
sanitization | removal of gross contaminants and some microorganisms from instruments, skin, and so on; the lowest level of medical hygiene |
sterile technique | methods to avoid contamination of sterile materials |
pathogen | a microorganism that causes disease |
disinfection | a more thorough removal of contaminants than sanitization but less thorough than sterilization |
nonpathogenic | not causing disease |
opportunistic infection | an infection that does not ordinarily cause disease but does so under certain circumstances, for example, in compromised immune systems; so called because it takes advantage of an "opportunity" |
microorganism | an organism so small that it can only be seen under a microscope |
remission | a period in which a chronic infection shows no symptoms |
exacerbation | a period in which a chronic infection shows symptoms |
chronic infection | one that is persistent over a long period of time; perhaps life |
sanitizer | a substance that significantly reduces the bacterial population in an inanimate environment but does not destroy all bacteria or other microorganisms |
bacteriostatic | reducing or inhibiting the number of microorganisms |
relapse | the re-emergence of an initial infection after it appears to have subsided but has not been cured |
recurrent infection | a distinct episode of an infection after recovery from the initial infection; may involve the same pathogens or different ones. |
immunoglobulins | a serum that contains antibodies that can help protect an exposed person from contracting the disease |
asepsis | a state in which pathogens are absent or reduced. There are two principal types of asepsis: medical and surgical |
sterilization | the process of destroying all microorganisms, including bacterial endospores and viruses. This is the highest level of cleanliness |
virulence | the power of a microbe to produce a disease in a particular host |
contamination | the presence of pathogens on an object |
postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) | Treatment after exposure to a pathogen |
asymptomatic | without clinical signs or symptoms |