Infection Control & Prevention Flashcards

Which pathogen is most resistant to standard chlorine levels in pools and is a leading cause of recreational water illness outbreaks?

Answer: Cryptosporidium

Cryptosporidium has a hard outer shell and can survive for days in properly chlorinated pool water.

What is the minimum free chlorine level CDC recommends for a therapy pool (not a hot tub)?

Answer: 1 ppm

CDC recommends at least 1 ppm free chlorine in pools and 3 ppm in hot tubs/spas.

A patient with diarrhea in the past 48 hours arrives for a session. What is the best action?

Answer: Postpone aquatic therapy until diarrhea has resolved for at least 24 hours

Patients should stay out of the water until diarrhea has stopped for at least 24 hours, longer if Cryptosporidium is diagnosed.

Which skin condition, often called 'hot tub rash,' is caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa?

Answer: Folliculitis

Pseudomonas thrives in warm, inadequately disinfected water and causes folliculitis.

Which pH range is recommended for pool water to keep chlorine effective and swimmers comfortable?

Answer: 7.2–7.8

A pH of 7.2–7.8 keeps chlorine effective and minimizes eye and skin irritation.

A patient has a small open wound on the lower leg. What is the most appropriate infection-control step before aquatic therapy?

Answer: Cover with a waterproof dressing per facility policy or defer if drainage cannot be contained

Wounds must be reliably contained with waterproof dressing, or the patient should not enter the pool if drainage cannot be contained.

Why is hand hygiene with soap and water preferred over alcohol-based sanitizer after caring for a patient with C. difficile?

Answer: Alcohol does not reliably kill C. difficile spores

C. difficile spores resist alcohol, so mechanical washing with soap and water is needed to remove them.