Infection Prevention Flashcards

A patient on droplet precautions needs to be transported to radiology. Which action should the IP recommend?

Answer: Place a surgical mask on the patient and notify receiving area in advance

For transport of patients on droplet precautions, a surgical mask is placed on the patient to contain respiratory secretions, and the receiving department is notified to prepare.

Which element of the hierarchy of controls is considered most effective for preventing occupational exposure to infectious aerosols?

Answer: Engineering controls such as HEPA ventilation

Engineering controls (e.g., negative-pressure rooms, HEPA filtration, biosafety cabinets) are highest in the hierarchy because they eliminate or reduce hazards at the source without relying on worker behavior.

An IP is investigating a cluster of MRSA infections in a neonatal ICU. Which specimen collection approach is used to identify colonized patients during an outbreak?

Answer: Active surveillance cultures from anterior nares and/or perirectal swabs

Active surveillance cultures (ASC) of anatomical sites such as the anterior nares detect MRSA colonization in asymptomatic patients, identifying the reservoir driving transmission.

According to the CDC's Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC), which surface is considered a 'high-touch' environmental surface requiring frequent disinfection?

Answer: Bed rails and call buttons

High-touch surfaces such as bed rails, call buttons, and overbed tables are frequently contacted by patients and staff and serve as vehicles for pathogen transmission.

Which formula correctly calculates incidence density rate for HAIs in a surveillance report?

Answer: (Number of HAIs / Number of patient days) × 1,000

Incidence density rate divides the number of HAIs by the total patient days (device days for device-associated rates) and multiplies by 1,000 to account for varying lengths of stay.

A healthcare worker who received the 2-dose hepatitis B vaccine series shows anti-HBs titer < 10 mIU/mL one to two months after completing the series. The recommended next step is:

Answer: Administer a second complete 3-dose series and retest

Non-responders to the initial hepatitis B series should receive a second full 3-dose series; approximately 50% of initial non-responders will respond to revaccination.

Which of the following is a key principle of 'bare below the elbows' (BBE) policy in infection prevention?

Answer: It removes wrist jewelry and long sleeves to improve hand hygiene effectiveness

BBE policies require removal of watches, rings, and rolled-up-sleeve barriers to ensure thorough hand and wrist decontamination during patient care.