Ch. 28 - Infection Control - Review Questions

When a nurse is performing surgical hand asepsis, the nurse must keep hands: A) Below elbows. B) Above elbows. C) At a 45-degree angle. D) In a comfortable position.

B) Above elbows. Keeping hands above the elbows when performing a surgical scrub prevents contaminated water from contact with hands.

If an infectious disease can be transmitted directly from one person to another, it is a: A) Susceptible host. B) Communicable disease. C) Port of entry to a host. D) Port of exit from the reservoir.

B) Communicable disease. When an infectious disease can be transmitted directly from one person to another, it is termed a communicable disease. No vector is necessary for transmission.

Put the following steps for removal of protective barriers after leaving an isolation room in order: A) Untie top, then bottom mask strings and remove from face. B) Untie waist and neck strings of gown. Allow gown to fall from shoulders and discard. Remove gown, rolling it onto itself without touching the contaminated side. C) Remove gloves. D) Remove eyewear or goggles. E) Perform hand hygiene.

B) Untie waist and neck strings of gown. Allow gown to fall from shoulders and discard. Remove gown, rolling it onto itself without touching the contaminated side. C) Remove gloves. D) Remove eyewear or goggles. A) Untie top, then bottom mask strings and remove from face. E) Perform hand hygiene.

What is the best method to sterilize a straight urinary catheter and suction tube in the home setting? A) Use an autoclave. B) Use boiling water. C) Use ethylene oxide gas. D) Use chemicals for disinfection.

B) Use boiling water The best sterilizer in a home setting is boiling water.

While preparing to do a sterile dressing change, a nurse accidentally sneezes over the sterile field that is on the over-the-bed table. Which of the following principles of surgical asepsis, if any, has the nurse violated? A) When a sterile field comes in contact with a wet surface, the sterile field is contaminated by capillary action. B) Fluid flows in the direction of gravity. C) A sterile field becomes contaminated by prolonged exposure to air. D) None of the principles were violated.

C) A sterile field becomes contaminated by prolonged exposure to air. Avoid activities that create air currents, such as sneezing. When you sneeze, microorganisms travel through the air by droplets, contaminating the sterile field.

A patient is isolated for pulmonary tuberculosis. The nurse notes that the patient seems to be angry, but he knows that this is a normal response to isolation. Which is the best intervention? A) Provide a dark, quiet room to calm the patient. B) Reduce the level of precautions to keep the patient from becoming angry. C) Explain the reasons for isolation procedures and provide meaningful stimulation. D) Limit family and other caregiver visits to reduce the risk of spreading the infection.

C) Explain the reasons for isolation procedures and provide meaningful stimulation. Patients on isolation precautions may interpret the needed restrictions as a sign of rejection by the health care worker.

A patient has an indwelling urinary catheter. Why does an indwelling urinary catheter present a risk for urinary tract infection? A) It keeps an incontinent patient's skin dry. B) It can get caught in the linens or equipment. C) It obstructs the normal flushing action of urine flow. D) It allows the patient to remain hydrated without having to urinate.

C) It obstructs the normal flushing action of urine flow. The presence of a catheter in the urethra breaches the natural defenses of the body. Reflux of microorganisms up the catheter lumen from the drainage bag or backflow of urine in the tubing increases the risk of infection.

A patient's surgical wound has become swollen, red, and tender. You note that the patient has a new fever and leukocytosis. What is the best immediate intervention? A) Notify the health care provider and use surgical technique to change the dressing. B) Reassure the patient and recheck the wound later. C) Notify the health care provider and support the patient's fluid and nutritional needs. D) Alert the patient and caregivers to the presence of an infection to ensure care after discharge.

C) Notify the health care provider and support the patient's fluid and nutritional needs. Early intervention can reduce the risk of sepsis caused by the progression of the infection. Fever depletes body fluid stores, resulting in an increased risk of dehydration, and providing proper nutrition promotes healing.

Identify the interval when a patient progresses from nonspecific signs to manifesting signs and symptoms specific to a type of infection. A) Illness stage B) Convalescence C) Prodromal stage D) Incubation period

C) Prodromal stage The prodromal stage is the interval between entrance of a pathogen into the body and appearance of first symptoms.

The nurse has redressed a patient's wound and now plans to administer a medication to the patient. Which is the correct infection control procedure? A) Leave the gloves on to administer the medication. B) Remove gloves and administer the medication. C) Remove gloves and perform hand hygiene before administering the medication. D) Leave the medication on the bedside table to avoid having to remove gloves before leaving the patient's room.

C) Remove gloves and perform hand hygiene before administering the medication. Gloves need to be changed, and hand hygiene performed to prevent transfer of microorganisms from one source (wound) to another (nurse's hands).

The nurse wears a gown when: A) The patient's hygiene is poor. B) The nurse is assisting with medication administration. C) The patient has acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or hepatitis. D) Blood or body fluids may get on the nurse's clothing from a task that he or she plans to perform.

D) Blood or body fluids may get on the nurse's clothing from a task that he or she plans to perform. The gown serves as a barrier between the patient's blood and/or body fluid and potential contact with the caregiver's skin.

Which is the most likely means of transmitting infection between patients? A) Exposure to another patient's cough B) Sharing equipment among patients C) Disposing of soiled linen in a shared linen bag D) Contact with a health care worker's hands

D) Contact with a health care worker's hands Hands become contaminated through contact with the patient and the environment and serve as an effective vector of transmission.

A family member is providing care to a loved one who has an infected leg wound. What would you instruct the family member to do after providing care and handling contaminated equipment or organic material? A) Wear gloves before eating or handling food. B) Place any soiled materials into a bag and double bag it. C) Have the family member check with the doctor about need for immunization. D) Perform hand hygiene after care and/or handling contaminated equipment or material

D) Perform hand hygiene after care and/or handling contaminated equipment or material. Clean hands interrupt the transmission of microorganisms from family members

Which of the following is the most effective way to break the chain of infection? A) Hand hygiene B) Wearing gloves C) Placing patients in isolation D) Providing private rooms for patients

A) Hand hygiene Hands become contaminated through contact with the patient's environment. Clean hands interrupt the transmission of microorganisms.

Your ungloved hands come in contact with the drainage from your patient's wound. What is the correct method to clean your hands? A) Wash them with soap and water. B) Use an alcohol-based hand cleaner. C) Rinse them and use the alcohol-based hand cleaner. D) Wipe them with a paper towel.

A) Wash them with soap and water. Physically removing wound drainage is most effectively accomplished by washing with soap and water.