CBS Safety & Infection Control 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A mother with hepatitis C asks if she can breastfeed. What is the most appropriate guidance?
- Breastfeeding is contraindicated due to viral transmission risk
- Breastfeeding is generally safe unless nipples are cracked and bleeding (Correct answer)
- Breastfeeding is only allowed if the mother is on antiviral therapy
- Breastfeeding is safe only after hepatitis C antibody testing of the infant
Correct answer: Breastfeeding is generally safe unless nipples are cracked and bleeding
Hepatitis C is not a contraindication to breastfeeding unless the mother has cracked or bleeding nipples, which could expose the infant to blood.
Question 2: Which disinfection method is most appropriate for reusable breast pump flanges shared between clients in a clinical setting?
- Wiping with 70% isopropyl alcohol between uses
- Soaking in a 1:100 bleach solution for 2 minutes
- High-level disinfection or sterilization between clients (Correct answer)
- Rinsing with hot soapy water and air drying
Correct answer: High-level disinfection or sterilization between clients
Reusable equipment that contacts mucous membranes requires high-level disinfection or sterilization between clients to prevent pathogen transmission.
Question 3: A breastfeeding mother is diagnosed with active pulmonary tuberculosis. Which action is most appropriate?
- Discontinue breastfeeding permanently
- Continue breastfeeding while placing a mask on the infant
- Temporarily separate mother and infant; mother may pump and discard milk until non-infectious (Correct answer)
- Allow breastfeeding since TB is not transmitted through breast milk
Correct answer: Temporarily separate mother and infant; mother may pump and discard milk until non-infectious
Active pulmonary TB requires temporary separation until the mother is non-infectious; the primary risk is airborne transmission, not milk-borne, but direct contact must be avoided.
Question 4: When instructing a mother on safe milk storage, which container material is preferred for long-term freezer storage?
- Clear plastic bags designed for general food storage
- Glass or hard-sided BPA-free plastic containers (Correct answer)
- Polycarbonate bottles
- Single-use polyethylene disposable bags
Correct answer: Glass or hard-sided BPA-free plastic containers
Glass or hard-sided BPA-free plastic containers are preferred for long-term storage because they protect milk quality and avoid leaching of harmful chemicals.
Question 5: A mother develops a painful, red, wedge-shaped area of her breast with fever and flu-like symptoms. After prescribing antibiotics, which breastfeeding guidance is correct?
- Breastfeeding must stop on the affected side for 48 hours
- Breastfeeding should continue on both breasts to facilitate drainage (Correct answer)
- Milk from the affected breast must be discarded during antibiotic treatment
- Switch to formula until the infection resolves completely
Correct answer: Breastfeeding should continue on both breasts to facilitate drainage
Continued breastfeeding or pumping on the affected side with mastitis is recommended to facilitate drainage and reduce the risk of abscess formation.
Question 6: Which Standard Precaution practice is most critical when a lactation consultant handles expressed breast milk from multiple clients?
- Wearing sterile gloves for all milk handling
- Performing hand hygiene before and after handling each client's milk (Correct answer)
- Using surgical masks during all milk transfers
- Storing all client milk in a shared refrigerator without labels
Correct answer: Performing hand hygiene before and after handling each client's milk
Hand hygiene before and after handling each client's milk is the cornerstone of Standard Precautions to prevent cross-contamination.
Question 7: A NICU nurse asks about the safe thawing of frozen donor human milk. Which method is safest?
- Microwave thawing to speed up the process
- Thawing at room temperature for up to 8 hours
- Thawing under warm running water or in the refrigerator (Correct answer)
- Boiling the sealed container for 5 minutes
Correct answer: Thawing under warm running water or in the refrigerator
Frozen donor milk should be thawed under warm running water or in the refrigerator to preserve nutrients and avoid bacterial growth.
CBS Safety & Infection Control 2
A mother with hepatitis C asks if she can breastfeed.
What is the most appropriate guidance?