CMA Infection Control and Safety 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is an example of a fomite in disease transmission?
- An infected mosquito
- A contaminated stethoscope (Correct answer)
- Respiratory droplets from a cough
- Direct skin-to-skin contact
Correct answer: A contaminated stethoscope
A fomite is an inanimate object that can harbor and transfer pathogens; a contaminated stethoscope is a classic example in healthcare settings.
Question 2: When using an alcohol-based hand rub, how long should rubbing continue?
- Until hands feel dry (approximately 15–20 seconds) (Correct answer)
- At least 60 seconds
- 5 seconds is sufficient
- 30 seconds minimum regardless of product
Correct answer: Until hands feel dry (approximately 15–20 seconds)
Alcohol-based hand rubs should be rubbed into all hand surfaces until hands are dry, which takes approximately 15–20 seconds for proper antimicrobial action.
Question 3: Which type of waste container must be used for disposal of a lancet after a fingerstick blood glucose test?
- Regular trash can
- Biohazard waste bag
- Sharps container (Correct answer)
- Recycling bin
Correct answer: Sharps container
Lancets are sharps and must be disposed of directly into a puncture-resistant sharps container immediately after use to prevent needlestick injuries.
Question 4: The chain of infection includes six links. Which link represents the mode of transmission?
- Infectious agent
- Reservoir
- Portal of exit
- Means by which the pathogen travels from reservoir to host (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Means by which the pathogen travels from reservoir to host
The mode of transmission is the means by which a pathogen travels from its reservoir to a susceptible host, such as direct contact, droplets, or airborne spread.
Question 5: A patient with Clostridium difficile (C. diff) infection requires which type of precautions?
- Airborne precautions
- Droplet precautions
- Contact precautions with soap-and-water hand hygiene (Correct answer)
- Standard precautions only
Correct answer: Contact precautions with soap-and-water hand hygiene
C. difficile requires contact precautions, and alcohol-based hand rubs are ineffective against its spores, so soap and water hand washing is mandatory.
Question 6: What does the acronym 'RACE' stand for in fire emergency response?
- Remove, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish (Correct answer)
- Rescue, Alert, Call, Evacuate
- Remove, Activate, Call, Escape
- React, Alert, Control, Evacuate
Correct answer: Remove, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish
RACE stands for Remove patients from danger, Alarm (activate fire alarm), Contain the fire by closing doors, and Extinguish if safely possible.
Question 7: Which disinfectant level is required to process semi-critical medical devices such as endoscopes?
- Low-level disinfection
- Intermediate-level disinfection
- High-level disinfection (Correct answer)
- Sterilization
Correct answer: High-level disinfection
Semi-critical devices that contact mucous membranes require high-level disinfection to eliminate all microorganisms except high numbers of bacterial spores.
CMA Infection Control and Safety 3
Which of the following is an example of a fomite in disease transmission?