ALF Infection Control and Prevention 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An ALF administrator is developing an influenza prevention program. Which intervention is considered the SINGLE most effective way to prevent influenza among residents and staff?
- Annual influenza vaccination (Correct answer)
- Daily antiviral prophylaxis during flu season
- Mandatory mask use year-round
- Restricting all communal dining during winter months
Correct answer: Annual influenza vaccination
Annual influenza vaccination is the most effective prevention strategy and is strongly recommended for all residents and healthcare personnel in long-term care settings.
Question 2: Which of the following is the CORRECT order for donning (putting on) PPE before entering an isolation room?
- Gloves → Gown → Mask → Eye protection
- Gown → Mask → Eye protection → Gloves (Correct answer)
- Mask → Gloves → Gown → Eye protection
- Eye protection → Gown → Mask → Gloves
Correct answer: Gown → Mask → Eye protection → Gloves
The CDC recommended donning sequence is gown first, then mask/respirator, then eye protection, then gloves to prevent self-contamination.
Question 3: Under OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030), ALF employers must offer which vaccine to employees with occupational exposure to blood at no cost?
- Influenza vaccine
- Hepatitis B vaccine (Correct answer)
- COVID-19 vaccine
- Pneumococcal vaccine
Correct answer: Hepatitis B vaccine
OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard requires employers to offer the hepatitis B vaccination series at no cost to employees with occupational bloodborne pathogen exposure.
Question 4: A resident returns from a hospital stay and has been diagnosed with MRSA. Which precautions should the ALF implement?
- Airborne precautions with a negative-pressure room
- Contact precautions including gloves and gown for direct care (Correct answer)
- Droplet precautions with surgical masks for all staff
- No special precautions if the wound is covered
Correct answer: Contact precautions including gloves and gown for direct care
MRSA is transmitted primarily through direct contact, so contact precautions (gloves and gown) are required when providing direct care.
Question 5: Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of an Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) in an assisted living facility?
- To identify residents most likely to spread infection to staff
- To evaluate and mitigate infection risks associated with construction or renovation activities (Correct answer)
- To determine which staff members need additional vaccination
- To audit compliance with handwashing policies
Correct answer: To evaluate and mitigate infection risks associated with construction or renovation activities
An ICRA is specifically used to identify and control infection risks that arise from dust, debris, and disruptions caused by construction or renovation projects.
Question 6: When reporting a suspected outbreak of foodborne illness in an ALF, administrators are typically required to notify:
- The facility's medical director only
- The local or state health department (Correct answer)
- The CDC directly within 24 hours
- Only the families of affected residents
Correct answer: The local or state health department
Suspected foodborne illness outbreaks must be reported to the local or state health department, which has authority to investigate and control communicable disease outbreaks.
Question 7: Which practice is MOST effective at reducing catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) in an assisted living setting?
- Changing indwelling catheters on a weekly schedule
- Maintaining a closed drainage system and removing catheters as soon as clinically appropriate (Correct answer)
- Using antiseptic solutions to irrigate catheters daily
- Routinely culturing catheter urine specimens weekly
Correct answer: Maintaining a closed drainage system and removing catheters as soon as clinically appropriate
Maintaining a closed drainage system and removing catheters at the earliest clinically appropriate time are the top evidence-based strategies to prevent CAUTIs.
ALF Infection Control and Prevention 2
An ALF administrator is developing an influenza prevention program.
Which intervention is considered the SINGLE most effective way to prevent influenza among residents and staff?