CBIC Isolation Precautions 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following patients does NOT require transmission-based precautions beyond Standard Precautions?
- Patient with active measles
- Patient with MRSA wound infection
- Patient with controlled, non-draining surgical site infection (Correct answer)
- Patient with norovirus gastroenteritis
Correct answer: Patient with controlled, non-draining surgical site infection
A controlled, non-draining surgical site infection that is contained under a dressing generally does not require additional transmission-based precautions beyond Standard Precautions.
Question 2: When can Contact Precautions for a patient with MRSA infection typically be discontinued?
- After 24 hours of antibiotics
- After 3 consecutive negative cultures from previously positive sites (Correct answer)
- When the patient is moved to a different room
- When the wound is surgically closed
Correct answer: After 3 consecutive negative cultures from previously positive sites
Contact Precautions for MRSA are typically discontinued after obtaining at least 3 consecutive negative cultures from previously positive sites after antibiotic therapy.
Question 3: A healthcare worker (HCW) who is not immune to varicella is exposed to a patient with chickenpox. What is the MOST appropriate immediate action?
- Administer prophylactic antibiotics
- Furlough from days 8–21 post-exposure or administer post-exposure prophylaxis (Correct answer)
- Place the HCW on Airborne Precautions at work
- Test the HCW's varicella IgG titer every 48 hours
Correct answer: Furlough from days 8–21 post-exposure or administer post-exposure prophylaxis
Non-immune HCWs exposed to varicella should receive post-exposure prophylaxis (varicella vaccine or VZIG) and may need work restriction from days 8–21 to prevent spreading varicella to susceptible patients.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes the purpose of a 'respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette' policy in a healthcare facility?
- It replaces the need for Droplet Precautions for all patients
- It is a source-control measure targeting undiagnosed respiratory infections at facility entry points (Correct answer)
- It applies only to patients already on Airborne Precautions
- It is mandatory only during documented influenza outbreaks
Correct answer: It is a source-control measure targeting undiagnosed respiratory infections at facility entry points
Respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette is a source-control strategy aimed at reducing transmission from patients with unrecognized respiratory infections at waiting areas and entry points.
Question 5: A patient with known VRE bacteremia is transferred to another hospital. Which action is essential from an infection prevention standpoint?
- Notify the receiving facility so they can implement Contact Precautions upon arrival (Correct answer)
- Discontinue Contact Precautions 24 hours prior to transfer
- Provide the patient with a surgical mask for the transport
- No special notification is required for interhospital transfers
Correct answer: Notify the receiving facility so they can implement Contact Precautions upon arrival
Communicating the patient's VRE status to the receiving facility ensures timely implementation of Contact Precautions and prevents transmission to other patients.
Question 6: Which of the following statements about glove use in isolation precautions is CORRECT?
- Gloves replace the need for hand hygiene after patient care
- Gloves should be changed between tasks on the same patient if contamination occurs (Correct answer)
- A single pair of gloves can be used for all patient contacts during the same shift
- Sterile gloves are required for all Contact Precautions interactions
Correct answer: Gloves should be changed between tasks on the same patient if contamination occurs
Gloves must be changed between tasks on the same patient when moving from a contaminated body site to a clean site to prevent cross-contamination.
Question 7: According to CDC/HICPAC, which condition requires 'Protective Environment' (PE) precautions rather than standard isolation precautions?
- Patient receiving high-dose corticosteroids for asthma
- Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipient during the neutropenic phase (Correct answer)
- Patient with HIV/AIDS on antiretroviral therapy with undetectable viral load
- Patient post-appendectomy with mild immunosuppression
Correct answer: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipient during the neutropenic phase
Allogeneic HSCT recipients during the neutropenic phase are at highest risk for invasive fungal infections and require Protective Environment with HEPA filtration and positive-pressure rooms.
CBIC Isolation Precautions 5
Which of the following patients does NOT require transmission-based precautions beyond Standard Precautions?