Promoting Asepsis & Preventing Infection

The nurse is obtaining her patient's health history related to infections. What are appropriate questions the nurse will ask the patient? Select all that apply. a) "Have you recently traveled out of the country?" b) "How would you describe your current stress level?" c) "Do you know your approximate weight?" d) "What is your normal blood pressure and heart rate?"

a) "Have you recently traveled out of the country?" b) "How would you describe your current stress level?"

A patient asks the nurse why there is no vaccine available for the common cold. Which response by the nurse is correct?" a) "The virus mutates too rapidly to develop a vaccine." b) "Vaccines are developed only for very serious illnesses." c) "Researchers are focusing efforts on an HIV vaccine." d) "The virus for the common cold has not been identified."

a) "The virus mutates too rapidly to develop a vaccine."

The nurse caring for several patients on the intermediate care unit considers which of the following patients to be most at risk for developing an infection? A patient with a/an: a) Centrally venous catheter b) Indwelling urinary catheter c) Colostomy d) Nasoenteric feeding tube

a) Centrally venous catheter

The nurse assists a surgeon with central venous catheter insertion. Which action is necessary to help maintain sterile technique? a) Closing the patient's door to limit room traffic while preparing the sterile field b) Using clean procedure gloves to handle sterile equipment c) Placing the nonsterile syringes containing flush solution on the sterile field d) Remaining 6 inches away from the sterile field during the procedure

a) Closing the patient's door to limit room traffic while preparing the sterile field

The nurse has just administered a subcutaneous insulin injection to her diabetic patient. What is the next immediate action by the nurse? a) Dispose of the needle/syringe uncapped into a disposable sharps container. b) Recap the syringe with needle and dispose into a sharps container. c) Dispose the needle/syringe into a biohazard bag inside the patient's room. d) Separate the needle and syringe and place them into a sharps container.

a) Dispose of the needle/syringe uncapped into a disposable sharps container.

Which of the following protect(s) the body against infection? Select all that apply. a) Eating a healthy well-balanced diet b) Being an older adult or an infant c) Engaging in leisure activities three times a week d) Exercising for 30 minutes 5 days a week

a) Eating a healthy well-balanced diet c) Engaging in leisure activities three times a week d) Exercising for 30 minutes 5 days a week

A patient becomes infected with oral candidiasis (thrush) while receiving intravenous antibiotics to treat a systemic infection. Which type of infection has the patient developed? a) Endogenous nosocomial b) Exogenous nosocomial c) Latent d) Primary

a) Endogenous nosocomial

The hospital nurse educator is preparing an orientation class for those newly hired on the surgical suite. Which of the following will the educator include in the orientation curriculum regarding hand and fingernail care? Select all that apply. a) Healthcare staff must routinely inspect their hands for breaks in skin. b) Artificial nails are permitted if properly secured to the nailbed. c) Wristwatches be may be worn as long as they are all metal. d) Healthcare staff are to avoid wearing nail polish at all times.

a) Healthcare staff must routinely inspect their hands for breaks in skin. d) Healthcare staff are to avoid wearing nail polish at all times.

The patient in the intensive care unit has developed a urinary tract infection related to the indwelling urinary catheter. Which of the following best describes this type of infection? a) Nosocomial b) Healthcare associated c) Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) d) Unavoidable occurrence

a) Nosocomial

Should a bioterrorism event occur, what factor is most important in minimizing the effects of such an event? a) Rapidly recognize unusual disease patterns and detect the presence of unusual infectious diseases. b) Communicate any extraordinary events to the organization's safety officer. c) Report any suspicious findings to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. d) Institute a community-wide education program for standard precautions and handwashing.

a) Rapidly recognize unusual disease patterns and detect the presence of unusual infectious diseases.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a federal agency devoted to infection control and prevention in healthcare settings. What are the goals of the CDC? Select all that apply. a) Reduce catheter-associated adverse events (infections) by 50% b) Reduce targeted antimicrobial-resistant bacterial infections by 50% c) Reduce all healthcare-associated infections by 75% d) Establish guidelines for safety, knowledge, and skills to reduce infections

a) Reduce catheter-associated adverse events (infections) by 50% b) Reduce targeted antimicrobial-resistant bacterial infections by 50%

What statements best describe the association between smoking and pulmonary infections? Select all that apply. a) Smoking interferes with respiratory functions, including the ability to move the chest, cough, and sneeze. b) Smoking increases alveolar elasticity, leading to overproduction of mucus that leads to pulmonary infections. c) Smoking decreases movement of the cilia in the lower airways, creating a favorable environment for bacterial growth. d) Nonsmokers chronically exposed to secondhand smoke have minimal risk for pulmonary infections.

a) Smoking interferes with respiratory functions, including the ability to move the chest, cough, and sneeze. c) Smoking decreases movement of the cilia in the lower airways, creating a favorable environment for bacterial growth.

The nurse is teaching a group of newly hired nursing assistive personnel (NAP) about proper handwashing. The nurse will know that the teaching was effective if the NAP demonstrate which of the following? Select all that apply. a) Uses a paper towel to turn off the faucet b) Holds fingertips above the wrists while rinsing off the soap c) Removes all rings and watch before washing hands d)Cleans underneath each fingernail

a) Uses a paper towel to turn off the faucet c) Removes all rings and watch before washing hands d)Cleans underneath each fingernail

Alcohol-based solutions for hand hygiene can be used to combat which types of organisms? Select all that apply. a) Viruses b) Bacterial spores c) Yeasts d) Molds

a) Viruses c) Yeasts d) Molds

The mother of a 6-year-old child says to the pediatric nurse, "My son had such a bad case of the measles. I hope he doesn't get them again." What is the most appropriate response by the nurse? a) "It sounds like he was very sick. Let's hope he doesn't get them again." b) "Measles is a disease that once you've had it, you won't get it again. The body has learned to make cells that will fight off any future exposures." c) "Would you like me to prepare a plan for you with ways you can prevent future episodes of measles?" d) "It will be important for you to keep your son away from other children with measles, as he is now more susceptible."

b) "Measles is a disease that once you've had it, you won't get it again. The body has learned to make cells that will fight off any future exposures."

As a general rule, how much liquid soap should the nurse use for effective handwashing? At least: a) 2 mL b) 3 mL c) 6 mL d) 7 mL

b) 3 mL

A patient is admitted to the hospital with tuberculosis. Which precautions must the nurse institute when caring for this patient? a) Droplet transmission b) Airborne transmission c) Direct contact d) Indirect contact

b) Airborne transmission

The nurse is removing personal protective equipment (PPE). Which item should be removed first? a) Gown b) Gloves c) Face shield d) Hair covering

b) Gloves

The community health nurse is preparing a teaching plan for emergency preparedness in the instance of a major disease outbreak. Which of the following will the nurse include in the plan for the home setting? Select all that apply. a) Keep a supply of broad-spectrum antibiotics. b) Have nonprescription drugs available. c) Store a 2-week supply of bottled water. d) Obtain an annual influenza vaccination.

b) Have nonprescription drugs available. c) Store a 2-week supply of bottled water. d) Obtain an annual influenza vaccination.

A patient who has a temperature of 101°F (38.3°C) most likely requires: a) Acetaminophen (Tylenol) b) Increased fluids c) Bedrest d) A tepid bath

b) Increased fluids

What type of immunity is provided by intravenous (IV) administration of immunoglobulin G? a) Cell mediated b) Passive c) Humoral d) Active

b) Passive

How should the nurse dispose of the breakfast tray of a patient who requires airborne isolation? a) Place the tray in a specially marked trashcan inside the patient's room. b) Place the tray in a special isolation bag held by a second healthcare worker at the patient's door. c) Return the tray with a note to dietary services so it can be cleaned and reused for the next meal. d) Carry the tray to an isolation trash receptacle located in the dirty utility room and dispose of it there.

b) Place the tray in a special isolation bag held by a second healthcare worker at the patient's door.

While donning sterile gloves, the nurse notices the edges of the glove package are slightly yellow. The yellow area is more than 1 inch away from the gloves and only appears to be on the outside of the glove package. What is the best action for the nurse to take at this point? a) Continue using the gloves inside the package because the package is intact. b) Remove gloves from the sterile field and use a new pair of sterile gloves. c) Throw all supplies away that were to be used and begin again. d) Use the gloves and make sure the yellow edges of the package do not touch the client.

b) Remove gloves from the sterile field and use a new pair of sterile gloves.

A patient admitted to the hospital with pneumonia has been receiving antibiotics for 2 days. His condition has stabilized, and his temperature has returned to normal. Which stage of infection is the patient most likely experiencing? a) Incubation b) Prodromal c) Decline d) Convalescence

c) Decline

Why is a lotion without petroleum preferred over a petroleum-based product as a skin protectant? It: a) Prevents microorganisms from adhering to the skin b) Facilitates the absorption of latex proteins through the skin c) Decreases the risk of latex allergies d) Prevents the skin from drying and chaffing.

c) Decreases the risk of latex allergies

What is the most frequent cause of the spread of infection among institutionalized patients? a) Airborne microbes from other patients b) Contact with contaminated equipment c) Hands of healthcare workers d)Exposure from family members

c) Hands of healthcare workers

A patient develops localized heat and erythema over an area on the lower leg. These findings are indicative of which secondary defense against infection? a) Phagocytosis b) Complement cascade c) Inflammation d) Immunity

c) Inflammation

A patient with tuberculosis is scheduled for computed tomography (CT). How should the nurse proceed? Select all that apply. a) Question the order because the patient must remain in isolation. b) Place an N-95 respirator mask on the patient and transport him to the test. c) Place a surgical mask on the patient and transport him to CT lab. d) Notify the computed tomography department about precautions prior to transport.

c) Place a surgical mask on the patient and transport him to CT lab. d) Notify the computed tomography department about precautions prior to transport.

Which of the following behaviors indicates the highest potential for spreading infections among clients? The nurse: a) Disinfects dirty hands with antibacterial soap b) Allows alcohol-based rub to dry for 10 seconds c) Washes hands primarily after leaving each room d) Uses cold water for medical asepsis

c) Washes hands primarily after leaving each room

In which situation would using standard precautions be adequate? Select all that apply. a) While interviewing a client with a productive cough b) While helping a client to perform his own hygiene care c) While aiding a client to ambulate after surgery d) While inserting a peripheral intravenous catheter

c) While aiding a client to ambulate after surgery d) While inserting a peripheral intravenous catheter

A patient infected with a virus but who does not have any outward sign of the disease is considered a: a) Pathogen b) Fomite c) Vector d) Carrier

d) Carrier

The patient is just beginning to feel symptoms after being exposed to an upper respiratory infection. Which antibody would be most likely to be found in a test of immunoglobulin levels? a) IgA b) IgE c) IgG d) IgM

d) IgM

To assure effectiveness, when should the nurse stop rubbing antiseptic hand solution over all surfaces of the hands? a) When fingers feel sticky b) After 5 to 10 seconds c) When leaving the client's room d) Once fingers and hands feel dry

d) Once fingers and hands feel dry