CNA CNA Infection Control & Prevention 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is the most effective method for sterilizing reusable medical instruments in a healthcare facility?
- Boiling in water for 10 minutes
- Autoclaving (steam sterilization under pressure) (Correct answer)
- Wiping with isopropyl alcohol
- Soaking in bleach solution for 1 minute
Correct answer: Autoclaving (steam sterilization under pressure)
Autoclaving uses pressurized steam (typically 121°C for 15–20 minutes) and is the gold standard for sterilizing heat-tolerant reusable medical instruments.
Question 2: A CNA is caring for a patient on droplet precautions for influenza. Which PPE is required when within 3 feet of the patient?
- N95 respirator and full gown
- Surgical mask and eye protection (Correct answer)
- Gloves and gown only
- No PPE if the patient is sleeping
Correct answer: Surgical mask and eye protection
Droplet precautions require a surgical mask (and eye protection if splashing is possible) when within 3 feet of the patient, as influenza spreads through large respiratory droplets.
Question 3: What does the term 'healthcare-associated infection' (HAI) refer to?
- An infection a patient had before hospital admission
- An infection acquired during the delivery of healthcare that was not present at admission (Correct answer)
- A chronic infection managed in an outpatient clinic
- A community-acquired pneumonia treated in the hospital
Correct answer: An infection acquired during the delivery of healthcare that was not present at admission
An HAI is an infection that develops during the course of receiving healthcare treatment and was not present or incubating at the time of admission.
Question 4: To prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), a CNA should:
- Keep the drainage bag above bladder level to prevent backflow
- Maintain a closed drainage system and keep the bag below bladder level (Correct answer)
- Irrigate the catheter with sterile water daily
- Disconnect the catheter tubing to empty the bag
Correct answer: Maintain a closed drainage system and keep the bag below bladder level
CAUTI prevention requires maintaining a closed urinary drainage system with the collection bag positioned below bladder level to prevent reflux of urine back into the bladder.
Question 5: Which of the following is an example of the 'chain of infection' being broken at the 'mode of transmission' link?
- Vaccinating a patient against influenza
- Washing hands before touching a patient (Correct answer)
- Isolating an immunocompromised patient
- Treating an infected patient with antibiotics
Correct answer: Washing hands before touching a patient
Hand washing breaks the chain of infection at the mode of transmission link by removing pathogens from the caregiver's hands before they can transfer to a new host.
Question 6: A CNA finds a sharps container that is three-quarters full. What should the CNA do?
- Continue using it until it is completely full
- Push the sharps down to make more room
- Notify the appropriate staff to have it replaced (Correct answer)
- Transfer the sharps to a trash bag
Correct answer: Notify the appropriate staff to have it replaced
Sharps containers should be replaced when three-quarters (75%) full to prevent overfilling, which increases the risk of needlestick injuries during disposal.
CNA CNA Infection Control & Prevention 2
Which of the following is the most effective method for sterilizing reusable medical instruments in a healthcare facility?