Multidrug-Resistant Organisms Flashcards

Which of the following is the primary route of transmission for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in healthcare settings?

Answer: Direct and indirect contact

MRSA is primarily transmitted via direct contact with colonized or infected individuals and indirect contact through contaminated surfaces or equipment.

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) can survive on dry environmental surfaces for up to:

Answer: Several weeks to months

VRE is notably hardy and can persist on dry inanimate surfaces for several weeks to months, making environmental cleaning critical for control.

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing organisms are MOST resistant to which class of antibiotics?

Answer: Penicillins and cephalosporins

ESBLs are enzymes that hydrolyze and inactivate most penicillins and cephalosporins, making ESBL-producing organisms resistant to these antibiotic classes.

According to CDC/HICPAC guidelines, patients colonized or infected with an MDRO should be placed on which type of precautions?

Answer: Contact precautions

Contact precautions are the standard recommendation for MDROs to prevent transmission via direct or indirect contact with the patient or their environment.

Active surveillance cultures (ASC) for MDROs are BEST described as cultures obtained from:

Answer: Asymptomatic patients to detect colonization

Active surveillance cultures are obtained from asymptomatic patients to identify colonization before clinical infection develops, enabling earlier implementation of precautions.

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) are considered particularly dangerous because:

Answer: Treatment options are extremely limited due to resistance to last-resort antibiotics

CRE are resistant to carbapenems, which are considered last-resort antibiotics, leaving very few effective treatment options and resulting in high mortality rates.

Which anatomical site is MOST commonly used for MRSA decolonization therapy?

Answer: Anterior nares

The anterior nares (nostrils) are the primary reservoir for MRSA colonization, making intranasal mupirocin the standard site for targeted decolonization therapy.