Hand Hygiene & Isolation Precautions Flashcards

According to CDC/WHO guidelines, what is the minimum recommended duration for alcohol-based hand rub application?

Answer: 20–30 seconds

Hand rub must be applied for 20–30 seconds until hands are dry to achieve adequate antimicrobial efficacy.

Which WHO 'moment' for hand hygiene occurs BEFORE an aseptic task?

Answer: Moment 2

Moment 2 (Before aseptic task) protects the patient from their own flora and from healthcare worker hands during procedures.

A patient is placed on Contact Precautions. Which PPE must healthcare workers don before entering the room?

Answer: Gown and gloves

Contact Precautions require a gown and gloves to prevent transmission of organisms via direct or indirect contact.

Which pathogen most commonly requires Droplet Precautions in addition to Standard Precautions?

Answer: Influenza virus

Influenza spreads primarily via large respiratory droplets (>5 µm) and requires Droplet Precautions with a surgical mask within 3 feet.

When should hands be washed with soap and water rather than alcohol-based hand rub in a healthcare setting?

Answer: When hands are visibly soiled or after caring for a patient with C. difficile

Soap and water are required for visibly soiled hands and after C. difficile care because alcohol does not effectively eliminate C. difficile spores.

Which type of isolation precaution is required for a patient with active pulmonary tuberculosis?

Answer: Airborne Infection Isolation

Active pulmonary TB requires Airborne Infection Isolation in a negative-pressure room and N95 respirator use due to airborne particle transmission.

What is the primary purpose of a negative-pressure isolation room?

Answer: Exhaust room air to the outside, preventing airborne pathogens from escaping

Negative-pressure rooms exhaust air outward to prevent airborne infectious particles from spreading into corridors.