Infection Prevention Flashcards

When conducting an outbreak investigation, the CORRECT sequence of steps begins with:

Answer: Confirming the outbreak exists and verifying the diagnosis before forming a case definition

The first steps of an outbreak investigation are to confirm that a true outbreak exists and verify the diagnosis through laboratory or clinical confirmation before proceeding.

Which disinfectant is INEFFECTIVE against Clostridioides difficile spores and should NOT be used as the primary environmental disinfectant during a C. diff outbreak?

Answer: Quaternary ammonium compounds (quats)

Quaternary ammonium compounds are sporicidal-activity–deficient and do not kill C. difficile spores; EPA-registered sporicidal agents such as bleach or hydrogen peroxide vapor are required.

An IP notices that CAUTI rates have increased significantly over the past quarter. Which bundle element, if missing, would have the GREATEST direct impact on catheter-associated UTI rates?

Answer: Daily reassessment of catheter necessity with prompt removal when no longer indicated

Daily review and prompt removal of unnecessary urinary catheters is the single highest-impact CAUTI prevention intervention because catheter dwell time is the primary risk factor.

Under the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030), employers are required to offer hepatitis B vaccination to covered employees:

Answer: Within 10 working days of initial assignment to a job with occupational exposure

OSHA requires that employers make hepatitis B vaccination available to all employees with occupational exposure within 10 working days of initial job assignment, at no cost to the employee.

A critical care nurse is caring for a patient with pandemic influenza requiring enhanced respiratory precautions. When performing an aerosol-generating procedure (AGP), the recommended respirator is at minimum a:

Answer: N95 filtering facepiece respirator

AGPs that generate infectious aerosols require at least an N95 respirator (fit-tested), as surgical masks do not provide adequate filtration against small airborne particles.

In epidemiology, the 'attack rate' is best defined as:

Answer: The proportion of exposed persons who develop disease during an outbreak

Attack rate = (number of new cases ÷ number of persons exposed) × 100, and is commonly used during foodborne outbreak or point-source outbreak investigations.

Which of the following is a key purpose of the Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) matrix used during healthcare construction and renovation?

Answer: To categorize the type of construction activity and patient population risk to select appropriate infection control measures

The ICRA matrix cross-references the type of construction/renovation activity with the risk level of surrounding patient populations to determine required barrier and ventilation controls.