CHEST flashcards
CHEST · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Cleaning
- Cleaning physically removes soil, organic matter, and many microorganisms from surfaces; it must occur before disinfection because soil can reduce disinfectant effectiveness.
- Disinfection
- Disinfection destroys most pathogenic microorganisms on inanimate objects but does not necessarily destroy bacterial spores; it is used for noncritical and semicritical patient care items.
- Sterilization
- Sterilization destroys all microbial life, including bacterial spores, and is required for critical items that enter sterile tissue or the vascular system.
- Contact time
- Contact time is the period a surface must remain visibly wet with a disinfectant, as specified on the product label, to achieve the labeled kill claim.
- High-touch surfaces
- High-touch surfaces are frequently contacted objects such as bed rails, call buttons, door handles, and light switches; they require more frequent cleaning and disinfection than low-touch surfaces.
- Terminal cleaning
- Terminal cleaning is the thorough cleaning and disinfection of a patient room after discharge or transfer, including all surfaces, equipment, and restroom fixtures.
- Spaulding classification
- The Spaulding classification categorizes medical items as critical, semicritical, or noncritical based on the risk of infection and the level of disinfection or sterilization required.
- EPA List N
- EPA List N identifies disinfectants with claims against emerging viral pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, when used according to label directions.
- Chain of infection
- The chain of infection has six links: infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host; breaking any link interrupts transmission.
- Standard precautions
- Standard precautions are infection control practices used for all patients, including hand hygiene, PPE, safe injection practices, and respiratory hygiene, regardless of known infection status.
- Contact precautions
- Contact precautions require gloves and gown for room entry and dedicated equipment; they are used for pathogens spread by direct or indirect contact, such as MRSA and C. difficile.
- Droplet precautions
- Droplet precautions require a surgical mask for close contact and are used for pathogens spread by large respiratory droplets, such as influenza, within about 3 to 6 feet.
- Airborne precautions
- Airborne precautions require an N95 or higher respirator and a negative-pressure room with the door closed for pathogens spread by small particles, such as tuberculosis and measles.
- Hand hygiene moments
- The five hand hygiene moments are before patient contact, before aseptic tasks, after body fluid exposure risk, after patient contact, and after contact with patient surroundings.
- PPE doffing order
- When removing PPE, gloves come off first, then goggles or face shield, then gown, then mask or respirator; hand hygiene follows removal.
- C. difficile hand hygiene
- For C. difficile, wash hands with soap and water because alcohol-based hand rub does not reliably kill spores; use an EPA-registered sporicidal disinfectant for surfaces.
- Safety Data Sheet
- A Safety Data Sheet provides 16 sections of hazard, handling, and emergency information for a chemical and must be accessible to workers under OSHA Hazard Communication.
- GHS pictograms
- GHS pictograms are standardized symbols on chemical labels that communicate hazards such as flammability, corrosion, acute toxicity, and health hazard.
- Bleach and ammonia
- Mixing bleach with ammonia produces chloramine gas, which can cause severe respiratory injury; bleach and ammonia must never be combined.
- Secondary container label
- A secondary container must be labeled with the product identity and hazard information; unlabeled spray bottles are a common OSHA citation.
- RACE fire response
- RACE stands for Rescue, Alarm, Contain, and Extinguish or Evacuate; it is the sequence used when responding to a fire in a healthcare facility.
- PASS fire extinguisher
- PASS stands for Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep side to side.
- Environment of Care
- The Environment of Care framework addresses safety, security, hazardous materials, fire safety, medical equipment, utilities, and emergency management in healthcare organizations.
- Life Safety Code
- The Life Safety Code, NFPA 101, sets requirements for exits, fire alarms, sprinklers, and egress in healthcare facilities and is enforced during CMS and accreditation surveys.
- Tracer methodology
- Tracer methodology follows a patient's care experience across departments to evaluate compliance with standards, including environment of care and infection control practices.
- Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
- OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard requires an exposure control plan, PPE, hepatitis B vaccination offered to at-risk workers, and post-exposure evaluation.
- Regulated medical waste
- Regulated medical waste includes blood-soaked materials and sharps; it is segregated, labeled, and disposed of according to federal, state, and facility rules.
- CMS Conditions of Participation
- CMS Conditions of Participation are federal requirements hospitals must meet to participate in Medicare and Medicaid, including safe environment and infection control standards.
- SBAR
- SBAR is a structured communication tool using Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation; it is commonly used for handoffs and escalation.
- AIDET
- AIDET is a service excellence framework: Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explanation, and Thank You; it guides patient and family interactions.
- Teach-back
- Teach-back confirms understanding by asking the patient or family to explain information in their own words; it is a health literacy tool.
- HIPAA privacy
- HIPAA protects individually identifiable health information; staff should avoid discussing patient details in public areas and should share information only on a need-to-know basis.