Infection Prevention Concepts
MediumFind each term and learn the infection control principles that keep patients and healthcare workers safe.
8 terms · Choose how you want to study
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Study modes
- Word Search Hunt hidden terms in a grid, then unlock each definition.
- Flashcards Spaced-repetition recall — graded cards that resurface right before you forget.
- Quiz Multiple-choice practice in real exam format, with instant feedback.
- Match Race the clock — pair every term with its definition and beat your best time.
This set covers the chain of infection and transmission-based precautions — high-yield topics for the NCLEX Safe and Effective Care Environment domain.
Every infection needs a pathogen, a route of transmission, and a susceptible host — and infection control works by breaking that chain. These eight terms sort out how organisms travel (airborne versus droplet decides the precautions), what makes an infection nosocomial, and the language of outbreak response. Get the transmission routes straight first: most exam questions hinge on matching the right precaution to the route.
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.