Chapter 5 Infection Prevention and Control

What type of personal protective equipment is used most often by caregivers?

Gloves

Infection

Occurs when pathogens invade and multiply within the body

Standard Precautions should be practiced

On every single person under a nursing assistant's care

How many times can a gown be worn before it needs to be discarded?

One time

How many times can disposable equipment be used before it needs to be discarded?

One time

Standard Precautions include the following measures:

Wearing gloves if there is a possibility of coming into contact with blood or other body fluids, mucous membranes, or broken skin

VRE causes life-threatening infections in people with weak immune systems.

True

Under Standard Precautions, body fluids do not include saliva.

False

Waste containing blood or body fluids should be disposed of in the resident's trash can and the housekeeping department should be notified.

False

Help protect against transmission of influenza

Droplet Precautions

It is normal for a person's immune system to grow weaker as they age.

True

Limited mobility increases the risk of pressure injuries among the elderly.

True

Used when microorganisms can be spread by coughing, sneezing, talking, laughing, or suctioning

Droplet Precautions

Used when the microorganisms are spread by droplets in the air that travel only short distances (normally not more than 6 feet)

Droplet Precautions

A nursing assistant does not need to wear gloves to clean up a very small spill.

False

A nursing assistant should carefully recap used syringes before putting them in a biohazard container.

False

A nursing assistant should use her hands to pick up large pieces of broken glass and use a broom and dustpan for smaller pieces

False

Biomedical/biohazardous waste that is not sharp should be discarded in a regular trash bag.

False

Blood circulation increases as a person ages.

False

Both hand sanitizers and washing hands with soap and water are considered equally effective when dealing with C. difficile

False

Disinfectant should be placed directly on the spilled fluid before absorbing and removing the fluid.

False

Handwashing will not help control the spread of MRSA

False

Tasks that require a nursing assistant to wear gloves.

-Contact with body fluids -When the NA may touch blood -Assisting with perineal care -Giving a massage to a resident who has acne on her back -Assisting with mouth care -Shaving a resident

Increasing the use of antibiotics helps lower the risk of developing C. difficile diarrhea.

False

Infections are less dangerous in the elderly than in younger people.

False

Nutrition is not normally a factor in preventing infections.

False

Once vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) is established, it is relatively easy to get rid of it.

False

The elderly are less likely than younger people to have healthcare-associated infections

False

When a resident is in isolation

She needs to feel that her feelings are understood by care team members

MRSA can spread though indirect contact by touching objects contaminated by a person with MRSA.

True

Pathogen

A harmful microorganism

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is almost always spread by direct physical contact.

True

Nursing assistants play an important role in protecting elderly residents from infections.

True

The elderly are at a higher risk for infection than younger people.

True

Help prevent the spread of Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) and conjunctivitis

Contact Precautions

Used when there is a risk of spreading an infection by direct contact with a person or object.

Contact Precautions

Used when transmission can occur when touching a contaminated area on the resident's body.

Contact Precautions

In the healthcare setting, the most common way to be infected by a bloodborne disease is by

Contact with infected blood or certain body fluids

After Zoe washes her hands, she will put on her personal protective equipment. She is going into an area in which she needs to use Transmission-Based Precautions, so she will wear a gown, a mask, and goggles in addition to her gloves. Read the steps she takes and write down anything she does incorrectly. First Zoe puts on her gown. She holds it out in front of her and shakes it open. She slips her arms into the sleeves and then ties the neck ties in a secure knot so that it will not come untied while she is working. She reaches behind her and, making sure all of her clothing is covered, secures the gown at the waist.

-Did not open the gown and allow it to open/unfold (Zoe shook the gown open) -Neck ties do not need to be tied in a secure knot

Zoe is right-handed, so she puts on her right glove first. She then uses her gloved hand to put on her other glove. She holds her hands out in front of her to smooth out the folds in the gloves. She checks the gloves carefully for tears or holes. She sees an area that is discolored, but it is very small, so she decides to wear the glove anyway. She pulls the sleeves of her gown over the cuffs of the gloves and is ready to get to work.

-Starts off with dominant hand, when it should be the other way around -Wears the discolored gloves -Doesn't interlace fingers to smooth out folds -Pull cuffs of the gloves over sleeves of the gown

Zoe then puts on her mask. Being careful not to touch the mask where it touches her face, she ties the bottom strings first and then the top strings. She then puts on her goggles, making sure they fit snugly over her eyeglasses.

-Ties bottom strings before the top strings.

Safety for water heater for elderly and children.

120 degrees farenheit

What is the correct order for doffing (removing) PPE (gloves, mask, gown, goggles)?

1st Gloves 2nd Goggles 3rd Gown 4th Mask

What is the correct order for donning (putting on) PPE (gloves, mask, gown, goggles)?

1st Gown 2nd Mask 3rd Goggles 4th Gloves

In general, how long can person be infected with COVID-19 before showing symptoms?

2 weeks

How long should a nursing assistant use friction when lathering and washing her hands?

20 seconds

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a federal government agency that protects workers from

Hazards on the job

Microorganism/microbe

A small living thing that is only visible under a microscope

Covering the nose and mouth with a tissue when a person sneezes or coughs and washing hands immediately after sneezing are parts of these precautions.

Droplet Precautions

Help prevent the spread of illnesses transmitted through the air

Airborne Precautions

May require the use of a special mask, such as an N95 or HEPA mask

Airborne Precautions

Used to guard against tuberculosis.

Airborne Precautions

Healthcare-associated infection (HAI)

An infection acquired within a healthcare setting during the delivery of medical care

Localized infection

An infection that is limited to a specific location in the body

Systemic infection

An infection that travels through the bloodstream and is spread throughout the body

Dirty linen should be

Carried away from the NA's uniform

In health care, objects that have not been contaminated with pathogens

Clean

Which of the following conditions puts a person at a higher risk of serious complications and death from COVID-19?

Diabetes

In health care, objects that have been contaminated with pathogens

Dirty

How should dirty linen be rolled or folded?

Dirty area is inside

A process that destroys most, but not all, pathogens

Disinfection

Only to be used once and then discarded

Disposable

Follow resident care plans and assignments.

Employee's responsibility

Immediately report any exposure to infection, blood, or body fluids.

Employee's responsibility

Participate in continuing in-service education programs covering infection prevention.

Employee's responsibility

Take advantage of the free hepatitis B vaccination.

Employee's responsibility

Use provided personal protective equipment as indicated or as appropriate.

Employee's responsibility

follow all facility policies and procedures.

Employee's responsibility

Provide free hepatitis B vaccinations.

Employeers responsibility

Establish infection prevention procedures and an exposure control plan.

Employer's responsibility

Provide continuing in-service education about infection prevention.

Employer's responsibility

Provide personal protective equipment for use and train how to properly use it.

Employer's responsibility

Which of the following contributes significantly to the spread of COVID-19?

Enclosed spaces with poor ventilation

Dedicated equipment refers to

Equipment that is used by only one resident

A nursing assistant will come into contact with microorganisms

Every time the NA touches something

If blood or body fluids may be splashed or sprayed into the eye area, ______ provide proper protection for the eyes.

Goggles

Which of the following is true of hepatitis B (HBV)?

HBV can transmitted through blood or needles that are contaminated with the virus.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines hand hygiene as

Hand washing with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rubs

The Bloodborne Pathogens Standard is a law that requires that

Healthcare employers must have a written exposure control plan designed to eliminate or reduce employee exposure to infectious material

Employers must offer a free vaccine to protect NAs from

Hepatitis B

In what type of environment do microorganisms grow best?

In a warm, moist place

Transmission-Based Precautions are used

In addition to Standard Precautions

Alcohol-based hand rubs are used

In addition to washing with soap and water

How does the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) affect the body?

It weakens the immune system so that the body cannot fight the infection

How should sharps be discarded?

Sharps should be placed in puncture-resistant biohazard containers.

What type of personal protective equipment may be needed when caring for a resident with a respiratory illness?

Mask and goggles

Which of the following types of PPE will always be used when caring for a resident with COVID-19?

Mask or respirator

Which of the following guidelines is true of wearing masks during a COVID-19 outbreak?

Masks may need to be worn all of the time while working in the facility.

The following are necessary links in the chain of infection. Which link is broken by wearing gloves, thus preventing the spread of disease?

Mode of transmission (a way for the disease to spread)

Which of the following does OSHA consider a significant exposure?

NA is stuck by a needle

Which of the following is true of wearing personal protective equipment while caring for residents in isolation?

Nursing assistants should remove PPE before exiting a resident's room.

5 P's for Safety Rounding

Pain Position Potty Possessions IV Pump

According to OSHA, employers must give all employees, residents, and visitors _____ to use when needed.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Which type of personal protective equipment must be removed after exiting the resident's room?

Respirator

The abbreviation of the virus that causes COVID-19 is

SARS-CoV-2

Infection prevention

Set of methods practiced in healthcare facilities to prevent and control the spread of disease

In which of the following scenarios is it most likely that COVID-19 could be transmitted?

Standing near an infected person who sneezes

A cleaning measure that destroys all microorganisms, including those that form spores

Sterilization

The following are necessary links in the chain of infection. By getting a vaccination shot for hepatitis B, which link will a person affect to prevent him from getting this disease?

Susceptible host (person who is likely to get the disease)

Why should a nursing assistant not wear artificial nails to work?

They harbor bacteria and increase risk of contamination.

Which of the following is the primary route of disease transmission within the healthcare setting?

The hands of healthcare workers

Which of the following is true of Transmission-Based Precautions?

They are practiced in addition to Standard Precautions.

Why is it important for an employee to report any potential exposures immediately?

To protect the employee's health and the health of others

A mask and goggles may need to be worn when emptying a bedpan.

True

A nursing assistant should wash her hands before donning (putting on) gloves.

True

An absorbing powder may be used to absorb the spill before removing it.

True

Following Standard Precautions means treating blood and other body fluids, non intact skin, and mucous membranes as if they were infected.

True

Frequent handwashing can help prevent the spread of VRE.

True

Giving mouth care is one task that requires an NA to wear gloves.

True

Handwashing and proper handling of contaminated wastes can help prevent Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile).

True

Tuberculosis is

an airborne disease

Tuberculosis may be transmitted

by coughing

A person with TB disease

can infect others

Someone with latent TB infection

cannot infect others

The word resistant in multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) means that

medications can no longer kill the specific bacteria

COVID-19 is classified as a(n) _______ and _______ disease.

droplet, airborne

Bloodborne diseases can be transmitted by

infected blood entering the bloodstream

Not touching _______ can help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

one's nose or mouth

People who experience severe symptoms of COVID-19 may need to be treated with a(n)

ventilator

TB disease is more likely to develop in people

who have weakened immune systems