Module 6: Medical and Surgical Asepsis

Statement of Purpose: The purpose of this unit is to present information about asepsis and the control of infection. Procedures and precautions to protect patient/patients/residents, health care workers and others from infection are presented, including standard precautions, transmission-based precautions and biohazardous waste management.

Module 6 Vocabulary Study Tool: https://claude.ai/public/artifacts/3910fe3a-b113-4767-98d1-566bd0ed610d

Performance Standards (Objectives): Define key terminology:

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
Airborne precautions
Asepsis
Athlete’s foot
Bacteria
Barriers
Biohazard symbol
Bloodborne
Carrier spore
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
Chain of infection
Communicable
Contact precautions
Contagious microbes
Contamination
Disinfection
Disorientation
Disposable
Droplet precautions
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Escherichia coli (E. coli)
Excretions
Exposure incident
Flora
Fungus
Health Care-Associated Infection (HAI)
Hepatitis A, B, C, D, E
Herpes zoster
Host
Immunity
Infection
Infectious agent
Influenza
Isolation
Lice
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Microorganisms
Nausea
Non-intact
Nosocomial
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Pathogens
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Pneumonia
Precautions
Protozoa
Reservoir
Reverse isolation
Rickettsia
Scabies
Sepsis
Standard precautions
Sterilization
Streptococcus
Transmission-based
Tuberculosis
Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE)
Virus

Patient, patient/resident, and client are synonymous terms referring to the person receiving care

Module 6 Medical and Surgical Asepsis – Vocabulary Sentences for CNA Study

Based on the Module 6 Vocabulary List and definitions from the Nursing Assistant Curriculum Glossary, here are study sentences for each vocabulary word:

Vocabulary Sentences

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a serious condition that weakens the body’s immune system and makes it hard to fight infections.
Airborne precautions are special safety measures used when caring for patients with diseases that can spread through tiny particles floating in the air.
Asepsis means keeping everything completely clean and free from germs that could cause disease.
Athlete’s foot is a common fungal infection that affects the skin between the toes, causing itching and peeling.
Bacteria are tiny living organisms that can sometimes cause infections, though not all bacteria are harmful to people.
Barriers are protective items like gloves and masks that prevent germs from spreading between healthcare workers and patients.
The biohazard symbol is a red or orange warning sign with a black symbol that identifies containers holding contaminated materials.
Bloodborne pathogens are dangerous germs that live in human blood and can cause serious diseases.
A carrier is a person who has germs in their body but doesn’t show any signs of being sick.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is a government agency that studies diseases and makes recommendations to keep people healthy.
The chain of infection describes the steps that must happen for a disease to spread from one person to another.
Communicable diseases are illnesses that can be passed from one person to another through direct or indirect contact.
Contact precautions are safety measures used to prevent the spread of germs through touching infected patients or contaminated surfaces.
Contagious microbes are tiny organisms that can easily spread from person to person and cause illness.
Contamination occurs when something becomes dirty or unsafe because it has been exposed to harmful germs.
Disinfection is the process of using chemicals to kill or slow the growth of disease-causing organisms.
Disorientation happens when a person becomes confused and cannot recognize time, place, or people around them.
Disposable items are designed to be used only once and then thrown away to prevent spreading infection.
Droplet precautions are safety measures used when caring for patients whose germs spread through coughing, sneezing, or talking.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a government organization that regulates chemicals to protect human health and the environment.
Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a type of bacteria normally found in the intestines that can cause infections in other parts of the body.
Excretions are body wastes that are eliminated from the body through normal processes.
An exposure incident occurs when a healthcare worker comes into direct contact with blood or other potentially infectious body fluids.
Flora refers to the normal, usually harmless microorganisms that naturally live in specific areas of the body.
A fungus is a type of microorganism that includes molds and yeasts, some of which can cause infections.
Health Care-Associated Infections (HAI) are infections that patients get while receiving medical care in hospitals or other healthcare facilities.
Hepatitis A, B, C, D, E are different types of viruses that cause liver disease and inflammation.
Herpes zoster, also called shingles, is a painful viral infection that causes blistering along nerve pathways.
A host is a person, animal, or plant that provides a place for infectious organisms to live and multiply.
Immunity is the body’s natural ability to resist and fight off infections and diseases.
An infection occurs when harmful microorganisms multiply in the body and cause disease.
An infectious agent is any microorganism that has the ability to cause disease in humans.
Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory infection that spreads easily through airborne droplets.
Isolation is the practice of separating infected patients from other patients to prevent the spread of disease.
Lice are tiny parasites that live on the skin and hair, causing itching and irritation.
A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) provides written instructions about the safe use and potential dangers of chemicals and products.
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a dangerous type of bacteria that is resistant to many common antibiotics.
Microorganisms are tiny living things that can only be seen with a microscope, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Nausea is the uncomfortable feeling that often comes before vomiting.
Non-intact skin refers to skin that is broken, cut, cracked, or damaged in any way.
Nosocomial infections are those that patients acquire while staying in a healthcare facility for at least 72 hours.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) creates and enforces workplace safety rules to protect healthcare workers.
Pathogens are disease-producing microorganisms that can cause illness in humans.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) includes gloves, masks, gowns, and goggles that protect healthcare workers from infectious materials.
Pneumonia is a serious lung infection that causes inflammation and makes breathing difficult.
Precautions are safety measures taken to prevent the spread of disease and protect people from infection.
Protozoa are single-celled organisms that can sometimes cause diseases in humans.
A reservoir is the place where infectious organisms naturally live and multiply.
Reverse isolation is used to protect patients with weakened immune systems from getting infections from other people.
Rickettsia are very small bacteria that are often transmitted through insect bites.
Scabies is a contagious skin condition caused by tiny mites that burrow under the skin.
Sepsis is a dangerous condition where the whole body becomes inflamed due to a serious infection.
Standard precautions are infection control practices used with all patients to prevent the spread of microorganisms.
Sterilization is a process that completely destroys all microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and spores.
Streptococcus is a type of bacteria that can cause various infections, including strep throat.
Transmission-based precautions are additional infection control measures used along with standard precautions for specific diseases.
Tuberculosis is a serious, contagious lung infection that spreads easily through coughing and sneezing.
Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE) are intestinal bacteria that have become resistant to the antibiotic vancomycin.
A virus is the smallest type of disease-causing microorganism that needs to invade other cells to reproduce.

These sentences are designed to help adult English learners understand and remember the key vocabulary terms for Module 6 while preparing for the CNA California Exam.

Module 6: 5 CNA Medical Asepsis Dialogues for English Learners

Dialogue 1: Starting a New Job – Learning About Infection Control

Characters: Maria (New CNA) and Susan (Experienced CNA)

Maria: Hi Susan! I’m Maria, the new CNA starting today. I’m a bit nervous about following all the infection control procedures correctly.

Susan: Welcome, Maria! Don’t worry – we’ll go through everything step by step. The most important thing to remember is that asepsis means keeping things free from harmful microorganisms.

Maria: What exactly are microorganisms?

Susan: They’re tiny living things like bacteria, viruses, and fungus that we can’t see with our eyes. Some are pathogens – that means they can cause infection in our patients.

Maria: How do we protect our patients from these pathogens?

Susan: We follow standard precautions with every patient. This means we always wear Personal Protective Equipment or PPE, wash our hands frequently, and treat all body fluids as potentially infectious.

Maria: I’ve heard about something called the chain of infection. What does that mean?

Susan: Great question! The chain of infection has six links: the infectious agent, the reservoir where it lives, how it exits the reservoir, how it’s transmitted, how it enters a new host, and whether that host has immunity. We break this chain by using proper precautions.

Maria: This is so important for patient safety. I want to make sure I do everything right.

Susan: Exactly! Remember, some patients might be carriers – they have the microorganism but don’t show symptoms. That’s why we use standard precautions with everyone.

Dialogue 2: Dealing with a Contamination Incident

Characters: James (CNA) and Dr. Peterson (Physician)

James: Dr. Peterson, I need to report an exposure incident. I accidentally got some blood on my hands when removing my gloves after caring for Mr. Johnson.

Dr. Peterson: Thank you for reporting this immediately, James. Was the skin on your hands non-intact – any cuts or breaks?

James: No, my skin was intact, but I’m still concerned. Mr. Johnson has Hepatitis B, and I know that’s bloodborne.

Dr. Peterson: You did the right thing by reporting this. Since hepatitis B is transmitted through blood and body fluids, we need to follow the OSHA exposure protocol. Have you been vaccinated?

James: Yes, I completed my hepatitis B vaccination series last year. Should I be worried about other communicable diseases?

Dr. Peterson: Your vaccination will protect you from hepatitis B. We’ll also test for Hepatitis C and HIV as a precaution. The good news is that with intact skin, transmission risk is very low.

James: I understand. How can I prevent this from happening again?

Dr. Peterson: Always remove gloves carefully – pull from the cuff, not the fingers. This prevents contamination of your hands. Also, inspect your gloves before use for any tears.

James: I’ll be more careful. Should I fill out an incident report?

Dr. Peterson: Absolutely. All exposure incidents must be documented. This helps us track patterns and improve our safety procedures.

Dialogue 3: Preparing a Patient’s Room – Isolation Precautions

Characters: Lisa (CNA) and Charge Nurse Roberts

Nurse Roberts: Lisa, Mrs. Chen in room 304 has been diagnosed with MRSA – that’s Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. We need to implement contact precautions.

Lisa: I remember learning about MRSA in training. It’s resistant to many antibiotics, right? What specific precautions do I need to take?

Nurse Roberts: Correct. MRSA is a type of Staphylococcus bacteria that doesn’t respond to methicillin and related antibiotics. For contact precautions, you’ll need to wear gloves and a gown whenever you enter her room.

Lisa: Should I wear a mask too?

Nurse Roberts: Not for contact precautions – MRSA spreads through direct contact, not through the air. However, if she develops pneumonia, we might need droplet precautions as well.

Lisa: What about her personal items and the room equipment?

Nurse Roberts: Everything in her room is considered potentially contaminated. Use disposable items when possible, and anything that can’t be disposed of must undergo proper disinfection or sterilization.

Lisa: How long do these precautions continue?

Nurse Roberts: Until the infection is cleared and she has negative cultures. We want to prevent this from becoming a Health Care-Associated Infection or HAI for other patients.

Lisa: I’ll make sure to follow all the procedures. Patient safety comes first.

Nurse Roberts: Exactly. Also, remember to check the biohazard symbol on waste containers – any contaminated materials go in the red bags.

Dialogue 4: Teaching a Patient’s Family About Infection Prevention

Characters: Carlos (CNA) and Mrs. Thompson (Patient’s daughter)

Mrs. Thompson: Carlos, my father has tuberculosis. I’m worried about visiting him. Can I catch it from him?

Carlos: I understand your concern, Mrs. Thompson. TB is transmitted through airborne particles when someone coughs or sneezes. That’s why we have airborne precautions in place.

Mrs. Thompson: What exactly are airborne precautions?

Carlos: Your father is in a special room with negative air pressure, and everyone entering must wear an N95 mask. The room’s air is filtered before it circulates to prevent the spread of TB bacteria.

Mrs. Thompson: Is tuberculosis very contagious?

Carlos: TB can be contagious, but it’s not as easily spread as a cold or flu. You need prolonged exposure to someone with active TB to become infected. Your father will be much less contagious once he’s been on treatment for a few weeks.

Mrs. Thompson: What symptoms should I watch for in myself and my family?

Carlos: TB symptoms include persistent cough, fever, weight loss, and fatigue. But don’t panic – many people exposed to TB never develop the disease because their immunity system fights it off.

Mrs. Thompson: How can we protect ourselves?

Carlos: Follow the precautions we’ve set up, wear your mask properly when visiting, and let us know if anyone in your family develops TB symptoms. The CDC – Centers for Disease Control – has excellent guidelines we’re following.

Mrs. Thompson: Thank you for explaining everything so clearly. I feel much better about visiting my father now.

Dialogue 5: Managing a Multi-Drug Resistant Infection

Characters: Jennifer (CNA) and Infection Control Nurse Williams

Nurse Williams: Jennifer, I need to brief you about Mr. Garcia in room 210. He’s developed VRE – Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci.

Jennifer: I’ve heard of VRE but haven’t cared for a patient with it before. How is it different from other infections?

Nurse Williams: VRE is a type of Enterococci bacteria that’s resistant to vancomycin, one of our strongest antibiotics. It can cause serious infections and is difficult to treat.

Jennifer: How does it spread?

Nurse Williams: VRE spreads through contact with contaminated surfaces, equipment, or hands. That’s why we’re using contact precautions – gown and gloves for every interaction.

Jennifer: What about his excretions? Are they infectious?

Nurse Williams: Yes, VRE can be present in urine and feces, so proper handling of all body fluids is crucial. Change gloves if you touch different body sites, and always perform hand hygiene after removing gloves.

Jennifer: Should his family be worried?

Nurse Williams: Healthy people rarely get sick from VRE, but immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk. We’ll educate his visitors about proper hand hygiene and the importance of not touching surfaces in the room.

Jennifer: What’s the treatment plan?

Nurse Williams: The doctors are using alternative antibiotics. Our job is to prevent transmission to other patients and support his recovery. This infection can lead to sepsis if not properly managed.

Jennifer: I’ll be extra careful with infection control. Prevention is so much better than treatment.

Nurse Williams: Exactly. Remember, healthcare workers can become carriers without showing symptoms, so following procedures protects everyone – patients, staff, and visitors.

Key Learning Points for Students:

Medical Terminology: Each dialogue introduces 8-12 vocabulary terms naturally within context
Professional Communication: Models appropriate healthcare worker interactions
Safety Procedures: Emphasizes the importance of infection control protocols
Patient Education: Shows how to explain complex medical concepts simply
Critical Thinking: Demonstrates problem-solving in healthcare situations

Discussion Questions:

What are the three main types of transmission-based precautions?
Why is hand hygiene considered the most important infection control measure?
How do standard precautions differ from transmission-based precautions?
What role do CNAs play in breaking the chain of infection?

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Module 6