Aisha R.

Corobong Group A2
BSN – 3A August 29, 2022

Direction: Define the following terms associated with asepsis and sterile technique.

1.     Aerosol

A mist that lingers in the air, composed of fine particles (less than 5 micrometers in diameter)
that form from the evaporation of respiratory droplets (5–10 micrometers in diameter) released
into the air through talking, breathing, singing, whistling, coughing, sneezing, etc.

2.     Antisepsis

Prevention of infection by inhibiting or arresting the growth and multiplication of germs or

infectious agents. Antisepsis implies scrupulously clean and free of all living microorganisms.

3.     Antiseptics

An antiseptic is a substance that stops or slows down the growth of microorganisms. They’re
frequently used in hospitals and other medical settings to reduce the risk of infection during
surgery and other procedures.

4.     Asepsis

Asepsis is a condition in which no living disease-causing microorganisms are

present. Asepsis covers all those procedures designed to reduce the risk of bacterial, fungal or
viral contamination, using sterile instruments, sterile draping and the gloved ‘no touch’
technique. 

5.     Aseptic Technique

Aseptic technique is a collection of medical practices and procedures that helps protect patients
from dangerous germs. Bacteria, viruses, and microorganisms are everywhere, so using aseptic
technique can help keep important equipment from being contaminated.

6.     Barrier

A physical or functional hurdle which a substance or cell must surmount or circumvent to have
free access to a tissue or site in the body.

7.     Carrier

A person permanently or temporarily immune to a disease-producing organism (pathogen) which
is present in his or her body, and which can be passed on, directly or indirectly, to others. A pers
on who carries infectious organisms without ever having suffered the disease is known as a ‘casu
al carrier’.
8.     Contaminated

The soiling or making inferior by contact or mixture, as by introduction of organisms into a
wound.

9.     Decontamination

Decontamination is a combination of processes that removes or destroys contamination so that

infectious agents or other contaminants cannot reach a susceptible site in sufficient quantities to
initiate infection, or other harmful response.

10. Isolation

The state of separation from other people of a person suffering from an infectious disease, or carr
ying infective organisms, so as to prevent spread of infection. Isolation is also used to protect im
munocompromized people from organisms carried by healthy people (reverse barrier nursing).

11. Pathogenic

An agent that causes disease, especially a living microorganism such as a bacterium, virus, or
fungus.

12. Sepsis

Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when the body's response to an
infection damages its own tissues. When the infection-fighting processes turn on the body, they
cause organs to function poorly and abnormally.

13. Standard Precaution

Standard Precautions are the minimum infection prevention practices that apply to all patient
care, regardless of suspected or confirmed infection status of the patient, in any setting where
health care is delivered.

14. Sterile

The absence of viable contaminating microorganisms; aseptic state, and asepsis.

15. Sterile Field

A sterile field is an area created by placing sterile surgical drapes around the patient's surgical
site and on the stand that will hold sterile instruments and other items needed during surgery.
16. Sterile Technique

Sterile technique involves strategies used in patient care to reduce exposure to microorganisms

and maintain objects and areas as free from microorganisms as possible.

17. Unsterile

Unsterile is not free from living, especially pathogenic, and microorganisms.

18. Airborne

Airborne transmission of infectious agents refers to the transmission of disease caused by the
dissemination of droplet nuclei that remain infectious when suspended in air over long distance
and time.

19. Droplet

A small drop, such as a particle of moisture discharged from the mouth during coughing,
sneezing, or speaking; these may transmit infections while airborne to others.

20. Contact

A person recently exposed to a contagious disease, usually through close association with an
infected individual.