CNA Isolation Precautions 5

Question 1

A CNA enters a room under Contact Precautions wearing gloves and a gown. After repositioning the patient, the CNA must document vital signs on the shared hallway computer. What is the CORRECT sequence of actions before touching the computer?

Accepted Answer

Remove gloves first, then perform hand hygiene, then remove gown, then perform hand hygiene again before touching the computer

Answer

The correct doffing sequence per CDC guidance is: gloves first (most contaminated item), hand hygiene, then gown, then hand hygiene again before leaving the room or touching shared equipment. The gown is removed after the gloves because the outer surface of the gown is contaminated, and clean hands are needed to untie/unfasten it without self-contamination. Removing both simultaneously risks contaminating hands. Keeping gloves on transfers pathogens to shared equipment.

Question 2

A patient on Contact Precautions for C. difficile requires a urinary catheter change. After completing the procedure and removing your gloves, you notice your wrist watch may have touched the patient's linens. What is the MOST appropriate next action?

Accepted Answer

Remove the watch, wash hands with soap and water, and have the watch terminally cleaned before reuse

Answer

C. difficile spores are NOT destroyed by alcohol-based hand rubs — soap and water is mandatory for hand hygiene. Additionally, items that contact potentially contaminated surfaces must be removed and properly decontaminated. Alcohol wipes are insufficient for C. diff spores; terminal cleaning with a sporicidal agent is required. Disposal is unnecessary — proper cleaning and reprocessing is the correct standard.

Question 3

A patient with active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is in an Airborne Infection Isolation Room (AIIR). The patient needs to be transported to radiology. Which combination of actions correctly protects both the patient AND other individuals in the hallway during transport?

Accepted Answer

The CNA wears an N95 respirator; the patient wears a surgical mask

Answer

During transport of a TB patient, the CNA (and all staff) must wear a fitted N95 respirator because TB requires Airborne Precautions. However, the patient is placed in a surgical mask — not an N95 — to contain their respiratory droplet nuclei and protect others in the environment. The patient does not need an N95 (which filters inhalation); they need source control. Leaving the patient unmasked is never acceptable during transport outside the AIIR.

Question 4

While caring for a patient on Droplet Precautions for influenza, you are 4 feet away assisting with a meal tray when the patient begins to cough forcefully without covering their mouth. Which statement BEST describes the required PPE at this moment?

Accepted Answer

You should don a surgical mask immediately, as you are within the range where large droplets can travel

Answer

Droplet Precautions require a surgical mask when within approximately 3–6 feet of the patient (facility policies vary, but the CDC defines the zone as ≤3 feet; many facilities use 6 feet as a conservative standard). At 4 feet with active coughing, a surgical mask is required. An N95 is not the standard for routine Droplet Precautions — it is reserved for Airborne Precautions or aerosol-generating procedures. Gloves/gown do not protect against respiratory droplet transmission.

Question 5

A patient under Contact Precautions for MRSA has a family member who wants to hold the patient's hand and provide emotional support. The family member has no open wounds or skin conditions. What should the CNA instruct the family member to do BEFORE and AFTER contact?

Accepted Answer

The family member should perform hand hygiene before and after contact; gloves and gown may be recommended per facility policy for direct patient contact

Answer

Visitors ARE subject to precaution education and typically must follow Contact Precaution guidelines for direct patient contact. Hand hygiene before and after is the minimum standard. Many facilities require visitors to wear gloves and gown for sustained direct contact — the CNA should explain this and direct the family to check with the nurse for facility-specific visitor policy. Contact Precautions are not limited to staff, and gloves alone without hand hygiene is insufficient.

CNA Practice Test

CNA Practice Test

CNA Isolation Precautions 5