Infection Prevention Concepts

Medium

Find each term and learn the infection control principles that keep patients and healthcare workers safe.

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This puzzle covers the chain of infection and transmission-based precautions — high-yield topics for the NCLEX Safe and Effective Care Environment domain.

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Terms in this set

Pathogen A microorganism — bacterium, virus, fungus, or parasite — capable of causing disease in a susceptible host.
Transmission The mechanism by which a pathogen spreads from a reservoir to a susceptible host.
Airborne A transmission route in which infectious droplet nuclei ≤5 μm travel through the air and remain suspended, capable of spreading across distances.
Droplet A transmission route in which large respiratory particles >5 μm travel short distances (within 3 feet) through the air.
Contamination The introduction of pathogens or harmful substances onto a previously sterile or clean surface, object, or field.
Outbreak A higher-than-expected occurrence of a specific disease or infection in a defined group or location within a given time period.
Nosocomial An infection acquired by a patient in a healthcare facility that was not present or incubating at the time of admission.
Susceptible A host who lacks sufficient immunity or resistance to a specific pathogen and is therefore at risk of developing infection.