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Blue Module
Terminology (Reverse Definitions)
| 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 |