Safety and Infection Control Flashcards
7 cards from real ABA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Safety and Infection Control flashcards as text
Which of the following best describes the purpose of waste anesthetic gas (WAG) scavenging systems in the operating room?
Answer: To remove excess anesthetic gases from the OR environment and protect staff
Scavenging systems capture and vent excess anesthetic gases outside the facility, reducing chronic occupational exposure risks to OR personnel.
A patient with a latex allergy is scheduled for surgery. Which precaution is MOST important in the anesthesia setup?
Answer: Ensure a latex-free environment including all equipment and gloves
A fully latex-free environment must be established for any patient with latex allergy, as even trace latex exposure from gloves or equipment can trigger anaphylaxis.
Which human factor most commonly contributes to medication errors in anesthesia according to patient safety literature?
Answer: Distraction, fatigue, and cognitive overload during high-workload periods
Cognitive factors — particularly distraction and fatigue — are identified in the majority of anesthesia medication errors in closed claims and incident reports.
According to standard fire safety protocols in the OR, which triad of conditions creates a surgical fire?
Answer: Fuel, oxidizer, and ignition source
Surgical fires require the three elements of the fire triangle: fuel (drapes, endotracheal tubes), an oxidizer (O2, N2O), and an ignition source (electrocautery, laser).
What is the recommended minimum time for an alcohol-based surgical hand scrub to be effective before donning sterile gloves?
Answer: 1.5 to 3 minutes (per product instructions)
Alcohol-based handrub protocols typically require 1.5–3 minutes of application until hands are dry, achieving the same surgical antisepsis as traditional 5-minute scrubs.
In the event of an MH crisis, what is the recommended initial dose of dantrolene?
Answer: 2.5 mg/kg IV bolus, repeat every 5 minutes as needed up to 10 mg/kg
MHAUS guidelines recommend an initial dantrolene dose of 2.5 mg/kg IV, repeated every 5 minutes as needed, with no absolute ceiling during an acute MH crisis.
Which intervention is MOST effective in reducing central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) in the ICU?
Answer: Adherence to a multi-element central line insertion bundle
The CDC-endorsed central line bundle (hand hygiene, maximal barrier precautions, chlorhexidine prep, optimal site selection, daily assessment for removal) significantly reduces CLABSI rates.