CBRN Infection Prevention & Critical Care Monitoring 5

Question 1

In a burn unit, which surface is considered the highest-risk vector for cross-contamination between patients?

Accepted Answer

Healthcare worker hands

Answer

Healthcare worker hands are the most common vehicle for pathogen transmission between patients, making hand hygiene the single most important infection control measure.

Question 2

A burn patient receiving mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) develops tachypnea and a decreasing serum bicarbonate. What is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

Carbonic anhydrase inhibition causing metabolic acidosis

Answer

Mafenide acetate inhibits carbonic anhydrase, impairing bicarbonate reabsorption and causing a metabolic acidosis with compensatory hyperventilation.

Question 3

What is the primary goal of early enteral nutrition in the critically burned patient from an infection prevention perspective?

Accepted Answer

Maintaining gut mucosal integrity to prevent bacterial translocation

Answer

Early enteral nutrition preserves intestinal mucosal integrity, preventing bacterial translocation across the gut wall, which can lead to systemic infection and sepsis.

Question 4

Which factor most increases a burn patient's risk for developing a catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI)?

Accepted Answer

Prolonged indwelling urinary catheter use

Answer

Duration of catheterization is the strongest modifiable risk factor for CAUTI; daily reassessment and early removal are key prevention strategies.

Question 5

A burn patient's arterial blood gas shows pH 7.30, PaCO2 28 mmHg, HCO3 13 mEq/L. How should this be interpreted?

Accepted Answer

Metabolic acidosis with respiratory compensation

Answer

The low pH with low bicarbonate indicates a primary metabolic acidosis; the low PaCO2 reflects appropriate respiratory compensation (hyperventilation).

(CBRN) Certified Burn Registered Nurse Practice Test

(CBRN) Certified Burn Registered Nurse Practice Test

CBRN Infection Prevention & Critical Care Monitoring 5