DHA Allied Health Exam key terms

The practice of cleaning hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based rub to remove or kill microorganisms. It is the single most effective routine action for preventing transmission of infection between patients and staff.

A baseline set of infection-control practices applied to every patient regardless of diagnosis. They include hand hygiene, gloves, gowns, masks, eye protection, safe sharps handling, and safe waste disposal.

Barrier items such as gloves, gowns, masks, respirators, and eye protection worn to protect the worker and prevent transfer of pathogens. Selection depends on the anticipated exposure and route of transmission.

Extra precautions used in addition to standard precautions for patients with known or suspected infectious agents. They are categorized as contact, droplet, and airborne precautions, each with specific barrier and room requirements.

Measures used for pathogens spread by small particles that remain suspended in air over distance, such as tuberculosis or measles. They require a fit-tested respirator and a negative-pressure room with the door closed.

An infection a patient acquires during care in a health facility that was not present or incubating at admission. Prevention relies on hand hygiene, device care bundles, environmental cleaning, and antibiotic stewardship.

A set of practices that keep equipment and the work area free of all microorganisms, used for invasive procedures such as surgery or catheter insertion. It includes sterile gloves, sterile fields, and avoiding contact with non-sterile surfaces.

The absence of pathogenic microorganisms. Medical asepsis reduces pathogen numbers through cleaning and disinfection, while surgical asepsis eliminates all organisms from objects entering sterile body areas.

The use of chemical agents to destroy most pathogenic microorganisms on inanimate surfaces or equipment, excluding bacterial spores. The level required depends on the item's intended use and contact with body sites.

A process that destroys all microbial life, including bacterial spores, on equipment. It is required for items that will enter sterile body tissues, the bloodstream, or the vascular system.

A penetrating wound from a needle, scalpel, or other contaminated sharp object that can transmit bloodborne pathogens. Immediate washing, reporting, and post-exposure assessment are required after any exposure.

Contact of broken skin, mucous membranes, or a needlestick with blood or other potentially infectious body fluid. It triggers urgent evaluation and possible post-exposure prophylaxis for viruses such as hepatitis B and HIV.

A coordinated program that promotes appropriate antibiotic use to improve outcomes, reduce side effects, and limit the emergence of resistant organisms. It typically involves prescribing guidelines, review, and de-escalation of therapy.

The process of confirming a patient's identity using at least two independent identifiers, such as full name and date of birth, before giving care, medication, or procedures. It prevents wrong-patient errors.

Any circumstance that could have caused or did cause unintended harm to a patient during care. Events range from near misses to serious incidents and are reported so systems can be improved.

A confidential written record of an unexpected event, near miss, or injury involving a patient or staff member. It supports investigation and system improvement and is not placed in the patient's clinical record.

A structured team method for examining a serious adverse event to identify underlying system failures rather than blaming individuals. Findings guide changes to processes, equipment, or policies to prevent recurrence.

An organizational approach that distinguishes human error from reckless behavior when responding to mistakes. It encourages staff to report errors and near misses without fear while still holding people accountable for unsafe choices.

A patient's voluntary agreement to a procedure after receiving understandable information about its purpose, risks, benefits, and alternatives. It must be obtained from a competent patient or an authorized representative.

The ethical and legal duty to protect a patient's private health information from unauthorized disclosure. It applies to conversations, records, and digital systems, with limited exceptions defined by law.

Individually identifiable health data held or transmitted in any form, including names, dates, and medical details. Access and disclosure are governed by privacy and security regulations.

The principle that only the least amount of health information needed for a specific purpose should be accessed, used, or shared. It limits unnecessary exposure of private data during routine work.

The range of duties and responsibilities a health worker is legally and professionally permitted to perform, based on training, licensure, and employer policy. Working beyond it can endanger patients and license holders.

Guidelines that keep the relationship between a health worker and patient therapeutic and appropriate. They limit personal, financial, or romantic involvement that could exploit the patient's vulnerability or impair judgment.

The formal process of verifying a practitioner's education, licensure, training, and competence before granting permission to practice or use clinical privileges. It protects patients by confirming qualifications.

The obligation of a health worker to answer for their actions, maintain competence, and follow standards, laws, and ethical codes. It includes admitting mistakes and participating in quality improvement.

Measured indicators of basic body function: temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and often oxygen saturation and pain. Changes guide assessment and escalation of care.

The body's tendency to maintain stable internal conditions such as temperature, pH, and blood glucose through feedback mechanisms. Illness and treatment can disrupt it, which monitoring aims to detect.

A standard reference posture with the body upright, facing forward, arms at the sides, and palms facing forward. Directional terms such as anterior, medial, and distal are defined relative to it.

Imaginary flat surfaces used to describe sections of the body: sagittal, coronal (frontal), and transverse (horizontal). They help localize structures and interpret imaging or procedural approaches.

The safe use of posture, leverage, and coordinated movement when lifting, transferring, or positioning patients or equipment. Correct technique reduces strain injuries to both the worker and the patient.

Safe techniques and equipment, such as hoists, slide sheets, and teamwork, used to move or reposition patients. The goal is to protect the patient from falls and the worker from musculoskeletal injury.

Actions that reduce a patient's risk of falling, including risk assessment, bed brakes, low bed height, call-bell access, and non-slip footwear. Fall risk should be reassessed when condition or medication changes.

A numerical tool that combines vital signs to flag a patient whose condition may be deteriorating. A rising score prompts timely escalation to a senior clinician or rapid response team.

A structured handover and communication framework: Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation. It organizes urgent clinical information so the receiver can act quickly and safely.

The transfer of responsibility and essential patient information between caregivers or teams. A structured format and closed-loop confirmation reduce omissions and misunderstandings.

A verification method in which the receiver repeats back an order or critical message so the sender can confirm it was heard correctly. It is used for verbal orders, critical results, and high-risk instructions.

Collaborative care in which members of different health professions work together with shared goals and mutual respect. It improves coordination, reduces duplication, and supports safer patient outcomes.