Word parts
What it means
Bacteria can enter the blood from an infection elsewhere, such as the urinary tract, lungs or skin, or through a break in the skin or mucous membranes, as from a central line, catheter or even tooth brushing. Brief, small amounts may cause nothing, but bacteremia can spread infection to the heart valves, bones or joints and can lead to sepsisSEP-sisA severe whole-body response to an infection that damages the body's own organs.Full entry . It is diagnosed with blood cultureBLUD KUL-cherA test in which blood is placed in bottles and watched to see whether bacteria or fungi grow from it.Full entry .
For the nurse
Use strict sterile technique with IV and central lines. Draw blood cultures before the first dose of antibiotics, and report fever, chills, a fast heart rate or low blood pressure at once.
At a glance
| Spanish | bacteriemia |
|---|---|
| Also written | bacteraemia, bacteremic |
Related terms
bacterium
A tiny one-celled living thing, seen only under a microscope, of which some kinds cause disease; the plural is bacteria.
sepsis
A severe whole-body response to an infection that damages the body's own organs.
-emia
A word ending that means a condition of the blood, or something in the blood.
blood culture
A test in which blood is placed in bottles and watched to see whether bacteria or fungi grow from it.
bacteri/o
A word root that means bacteria.