CMA CMA Infection Control & Sterilization 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of hand hygiene in a medical setting?
- To remove visible dirt only
- To reduce the transmission of microorganisms (Correct answer)
- To comply with OSHA chemical standards
- To prepare hands for glove use only
Correct answer: To reduce the transmission of microorganisms
Hand hygiene is the single most effective measure for reducing the transmission of infectious microorganisms in healthcare settings.
Question 2: Which type of precautions should be used for ALL patients regardless of diagnosis?
- Contact precautions
- Droplet precautions
- Standard precautions (Correct answer)
- Airborne precautions
Correct answer: Standard precautions
Standard precautions are applied to all patients to prevent transmission of known and unknown infectious agents.
Question 3: Which PPE item is required when there is a risk of blood or body fluid splashing?
- Gloves only
- Gloves and gown
- Face shield or goggles and gloves (Correct answer)
- N95 respirator only
Correct answer: Face shield or goggles and gloves
When splashing or spraying of blood or body fluids is anticipated, a face shield or goggles must be worn along with gloves.
Question 4: A sharps container should be replaced when it is filled to what level?
- 25% full
- 50% full
- Three-quarters (75%) full (Correct answer)
- Completely full
Correct answer: Three-quarters (75%) full
Sharps containers should be sealed and replaced when they reach the three-quarters full mark to prevent overfilling and needlestick injuries.
Question 5: Which process completely destroys all microbial life, including spores?
- Disinfection
- Sanitization
- Sterilization (Correct answer)
- Antisepsis
Correct answer: Sterilization
Sterilization destroys all forms of microbial life including highly resistant bacterial spores.
Question 6: What does the chain of infection describe?
- The progression of a disease's symptoms
- The sequence of elements required for an infection to spread (Correct answer)
- The order of antibiotic resistance development
- The stages of wound healing
Correct answer: The sequence of elements required for an infection to spread
The chain of infection outlines the six links—infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, susceptible host—required for infection to spread.
CMA CMA Infection Control & Sterilization 1
What is the primary purpose of hand hygiene in a medical setting?