Infection Control Flashcards
7 cards from real CMLA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Infection Control flashcards as text
Which organization publishes the primary guidelines for isolation precautions used in US hospitals?
Answer: CDC/HICPAC
The CDC's Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) publishes the authoritative guidelines for isolation precautions in US healthcare settings.
What is the correct action if a laboratory worker's mucous membranes are splashed with a potentially infectious body fluid?
Answer: Flush with water for at least 15 minutes and report the exposure
Mucous membrane exposures require immediate flushing with water for a minimum of 15 minutes followed by prompt reporting and post-exposure evaluation.
Which of the following specimens requires processing in a Class II biological safety cabinet?
Answer: Sputum suspected of containing Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Specimens suspected of containing M. tuberculosis must be handled in a Class II BSC to prevent inhalation of aerosolized infectious particles.
What does it mean when a microorganism is described as having developed antibiotic resistance through horizontal gene transfer?
Answer: The organism acquired resistance genes from another organism without reproduction
Horizontal gene transfer allows bacteria to share resistance genes via plasmids or other mechanisms directly between organisms, independent of reproduction.
According to standard precautions, when is it necessary to wear a gown during laboratory specimen processing?
Answer: When splashing or spraying of blood or body fluids is anticipated
Standard precautions require a gown whenever there is a risk of clothing or skin becoming contaminated from splashes or sprays of blood or body fluids.
A laboratory refrigerator used to store patient specimens is found to also contain an employee's lunch. This situation violates which regulation?
Answer: OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard prohibiting food storage where blood is present
OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard explicitly prohibits storing food or drink in refrigerators where blood or potentially infectious materials are kept.
Which of the following is the MOST effective strategy to reduce healthcare-associated infections at the system level?
Answer: Implementing mandatory hand hygiene compliance monitoring programs
Systematic hand hygiene compliance monitoring and feedback programs have the strongest evidence base for reducing healthcare-associated infection rates.