Infection Control practice questions

Answer: B) Place it in a closable, leakproof red bag or biohazard-labeled container

Items that would release liquid blood if compressed are regulated waste under OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. They must go in closable, leakproof containers that are red or carry the biohazard label.

• AIncorrect. A dressing that would release liquid blood if compressed counts as regulated waste. Bagging it does not make it acceptable for regular trash.
• BCorrect. OSHA requires regulated waste to go in closable containers that are leakproof on the sides and bottom and are labeled or color-coded red.
• CIncorrect. Linen hampers are for reusable laundry. Disposable bloody waste placed there puts laundry workers at risk of exposure.
• DIncorrect. Rinsing splashes blood and contaminates the sink. Saturated items must go directly into regulated waste containers.

Answer: C) Away from you

• AIncorrect. Open by the flaps.
• BIncorrect. This requires reaching over it.
• CCorrect. This avoids reaching over the sterile field.
• DIncorrect. Moisture contaminates.

Answer: B) To show the type of precautions and the PPE required before entering

An isolation sign tells everyone entering which transmission-based precautions are in effect and which PPE is required, without revealing the patient's diagnosis.

• AIncorrect. Isolation signs show the category of precautions, not the diagnosis. Posting a diagnosis on the door would expose protected health information.
• BCorrect. CDC guidance calls for clear signage on the door or wall outside the room showing the type of precautions and the PPE required (for example, gown and gloves).
• CIncorrect. The sign applies while the patient is in the room. It tells staff which precautions to follow during care, not that the room is waiting to be cleaned.
• DIncorrect. Visitors may still be allowed, although their numbers may be limited. They check in with the nurses' station and are taught how to follow the precautions.

Answer: C) Droplet precautions

• AIncorrect. Flu spreads mainly by droplets.
• BIncorrect. Flu is contagious.
• CCorrect. Wear a mask within close range of the patient.
• DIncorrect. This protects immune-compromised patients.

Answer: A) Cover the blood with absorbent material, then remove it into a leak-proof labeled container before disinfecting

For a blood spill, put on PPE, absorb and remove the visible blood into leak-proof labeled containment, and then disinfect the area with an approved germicide.

• ACorrect. CDC guidance says to remove visible organic matter with absorbent material first, discard it into leak-proof, properly labeled containment, and then apply an approved disinfectant. Blood left on the surface can keep a disinfectant from working.
• BIncorrect. Disinfectant should go on after the visible blood has been absorbed and removed. CDC notes that even strong chlorine solutions may not fully inactivate pathogens in large amounts of blood.
• CIncorrect. A shared mop spreads contamination, and soap and water alone do not disinfect. Spill cleanup uses disposable absorbent material followed by an approved disinfectant.
• DIncorrect. Contaminated broken glass should never be picked up by hand. Use a mechanical tool such as tongs or a scoop and discard the glass in a sharps container, not the regular trash.

Answer: B) To reduce the spread of germs that cause healthcare-associated infections

Facilities monitor hand hygiene compliance because hand hygiene is a key way to prevent germs from spreading and to reduce healthcare-associated infections.

• AIncorrect. Supply cost isn't the goal. The CDC says facilities should make sure hand hygiene supplies are easy to reach during patient care.
• BCorrect. The CDC says hand hygiene reduces the spread of germs to patients, including antibiotic-resistant organisms, and is linked to fewer healthcare-associated infections.
• CIncorrect. Alcohol-based hand rub can be gentler on skin, but protecting staff skin isn't why compliance is monitored.
• DIncorrect. Hand hygiene audits check infection prevention practice. They are not used to measure staff productivity or time on task.

Answer: A) Lower the number of pathogens and limit their spread

Medical asepsis (clean technique) lowers the number of pathogens and limits their spread. Eliminating all microbial life, including spores, is the goal of sterilization and surgical asepsis.

• ACorrect. Medical asepsis, or clean technique, reduces the number of microorganisms and stops them from spreading between people and objects. It does not aim to make items completely sterile.
• BIncorrect. Destroying all forms of microbial life, including spores, is the definition of sterilization. Clean technique does not achieve this.
• CIncorrect. Keeping items completely germ-free for invasive procedures is the goal of surgical asepsis (sterile technique), not medical asepsis.
• DIncorrect. Identifying the cause of an infection is done with laboratory tests such as cultures. Hand hygiene and cleaning equipment do not identify organisms.

Answer: A) Grouping patients with the same infection together

• ACorrect. It helps limit spread.
• BIncorrect. That spreads infection.
• CIncorrect. That isn't cohorting.
• DIncorrect. Cohorting groups similar cases.

Answer: A) Remove the gloves, perform hand hygiene, and put on a new pair of sterile gloves

In sterile technique, a sterile glove that touches anything other than sterile supplies is contaminated. The technician must remove it, perform hand hygiene, and put on a new sterile pair.

• ACorrect. The glove touched something that is not sterile, so it is contaminated. It must be replaced after hand hygiene before any sterile supplies are handled.
• BIncorrect. Wiping does not make a contaminated sterile glove sterile again. The glove must be replaced.
• CIncorrect. A clean surface is not sterile. Any contact with a surface that is not sterile contaminates a sterile glove.
• DIncorrect. Exam gloves are not sterile, so covering the glove does not restore a sterile barrier. The contaminated glove must be removed and replaced.

Answer: C) CAUTI

• AIncorrect. This is a test.
• BIncorrect. That is a central line infection.
• CCorrect. A catheter-associated urinary tract infection is a common HAI.
• DIncorrect. That is ventilator-associated pneumonia.