AAT Zoonotic Disease Prevention 2

Question 1

A therapy dog handler notices the dog has mild diarrhea before a scheduled visit to a pediatric oncology ward. What is the most appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Cancel the visit and consult a veterinarian before rescheduling

Answer

Proceed with the visit but avoid contact with the most immunocompromised patients

Answer

Complete a shorter visit and wash hands more frequently

Answer

Inform the facility coordinator and let them decide

Question 2

Which zoonotic pathogen is most commonly transmitted via contact with reptiles and is a key reason reptiles are generally excluded from AAT programs?

Accepted Answer

Salmonella spp.

Answer

Toxoplasma gondii

Answer

Bartonella henselae

Answer

Ringworm (Microsporum canis)

Question 3

An AAT program coordinator is reviewing hand hygiene protocols. Which hand hygiene method is LEAST effective at removing Cryptosporidium oocysts?

Accepted Answer

Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (60%+ ethanol)

Answer

Soap and water for at least 20 seconds

Answer

Glove use followed by soap and water

Answer

Paper towel friction drying after washing

Question 4

Cat scratch disease is caused by Bartonella henselae. Which AAT client population faces the highest risk of serious complications from this infection?

Accepted Answer

HIV-positive individuals with low CD4 counts

Answer

Elderly adults over age 75

Answer

Children under age 12

Answer

Pregnant women in the third trimester

Question 5

What is the recommended minimum interval between a therapy animal receiving a bath and participating in a facility visit?

Accepted Answer

24 hours

Answer

6 hours

Answer

12 hours

Answer

48 hours

Question 6

During an AAT session in a long-term care facility, a resident sustains a superficial scratch from the therapy cat. What is the FIRST action the handler should take?

Accepted Answer

Notify the facility nurse and follow the facility's incident protocol

Answer

Document the incident in the AAT program log

Answer

Apply an antiseptic wipe to the scratch immediately

Answer

Assess whether the cat's vaccinations are current

Question 7

Which of the following is a correct statement about Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and therapy animals?

Accepted Answer

Therapy animals can acquire and transmit MRSA between human patients and facilities

Answer

Animals cannot carry MRSA because they lack the appropriate skin receptors

Answer

MRSA colonization in animals always produces visible skin lesions

Answer

Standard pet shampoos reliably decolonize MRSA from therapy animals