CNA - Certified Nurse Aide Infection Control and Safety Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A resident is on airborne precautions due to a suspected respiratory infection. When entering the resident's room, which piece of personal protective equipment (PPE) is MOST essential for the CNA to wear?
- Surgical mask
- Gown
- N95 respirator (Correct answer)
- Face shield
Correct answer: N95 respirator
Airborne precautions are required for diseases that are transmitted through small particles in the air, such as tuberculosis or measles. An N95 respirator is specifically designed to filter these small particles and protect the healthcare worker from inhaling them. A standard surgical mask does not provide adequate protection against airborne pathogens.
Question 2: What is the single most effective way a Certified Nurse Aide can prevent the spread of infection?
- Wearing gloves for all patient contact
- Proper and frequent hand hygiene (Correct answer)
- Using alcohol-based sanitizer exclusively
- Keeping residents isolated in their rooms
Correct answer: Proper and frequent hand hygiene
According to the CDC and numerous health organizations, proper and frequent hand hygiene (washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand rub) is the most important and effective measure to prevent the transmission of infections in healthcare settings. While other measures are important, hand hygiene is the cornerstone of infection prevention.
Question 3: A CNA is disposing of waste items from a resident's room. Which of the following items must be placed in a designated biohazard bag?
- An empty urine collection bag
- A used tissue from a resident with a cold
- A disposable gown worn during routine care
- A wound dressing saturated with blood (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A wound dressing saturated with blood
Biohazard bags are used for waste contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) that can release these substances in a liquid or semi-liquid state if compressed. A dressing saturated with blood fits this description and must be disposed of as regulated medical waste. Items like used tissues or gowns from routine care without significant contamination are typically considered regular waste.
Question 4: When assisting a resident with personal care, a CNA should always wear gloves in which of the following situations?
- When combing the resident's hair
- When there is potential contact with blood or body fluids (Correct answer)
- When feeding a resident who can eat independently
- When taking the resident's blood pressure
Correct answer: When there is potential contact with blood or body fluids
Gloves are a critical barrier and part of Standard Precautions. They must be worn whenever there is a risk of contact with blood, body fluids, mucous membranes, or non-intact skin. This includes activities like oral care, perineal care, or handling soiled linens. Gloves are not typically required for activities like combing hair or taking blood pressure unless other risk factors are present.
Question 5: You are about to assist a resident with perineal care and notice you have a small, uncovered cut on your finger. What is the MOST appropriate initial action?
- Proceed with the care, but wash your hands thoroughly afterward.
- Apply a double layer of gloves before starting the procedure.
- Wash the cut, apply an adhesive bandage, and then wear gloves. (Correct answer)
- Ask another CNA to perform the task for you.
Correct answer: Wash the cut, apply an adhesive bandage, and then wear gloves.
A cut represents a break in the skin, which is a portal of entry for pathogens. The proper procedure is to wash the wound, cover it with a waterproof dressing to create a barrier, perform hand hygiene, and then apply gloves before providing patient care. This protects both the CNA from potential infection and the resident from exposure to the CNA's blood.
Question 6: Which of the following is considered a primary example of a bloodborne pathogen that a CNA could be exposed to?
- Influenza virus
- Clostridioides difficile (C. diff)
- Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) (Correct answer)
- Tuberculosis (TB)
Correct answer: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
Bloodborne pathogens are infectious microorganisms in human blood that can cause disease. Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV), and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are the primary examples cited by OSHA. Influenza and TB are transmitted through respiratory droplets (droplet/airborne), and C. diff is typically spread via the fecal-oral route (contact).
CNA - Certified Nurse Aide Infection Control and Safety Questions and Answers 1
A resident is on airborne precautions due to a suspected respiratory infection.
When entering the resident's room, which piece of personal protective equipment (PPE) is MOST essential for the CNA to wear?