CNA Isolation Precautions 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient on Protective (Reverse) Isolation has a severely weakened immune system. What is the primary purpose of this type of isolation?
- Prevent the patient from infecting staff
- Protect the patient from infections in the environment (Correct answer)
- Contain airborne pathogens within the room
- Limit visitor contact for psychological reasons
Correct answer: Protect the patient from infections in the environment
Protective (reverse) isolation is designed to shield immunocompromised patients from pathogens carried by staff, visitors, or the environment.
Question 2: When transporting an isolation patient through the hallway, the CNA should:
- Remove all PPE before leaving the room
- Have the patient wear a mask and cover wounds or draining areas (Correct answer)
- Keep the hallway doors closed but use no special precautions
- Place the patient in a clear plastic tent
Correct answer: Have the patient wear a mask and cover wounds or draining areas
During transport, patients should wear a surgical mask and have any infectious wounds covered to minimize the risk of spreading pathogens to others.
Question 3: Which of the following is an example of an indirect contact transmission route?
- Inhaling droplets when a patient coughs
- Touching a contaminated bedrail then touching your face (Correct answer)
- A mosquito biting an infected patient
- Sharing the same air circulation with an infected patient
Correct answer: Touching a contaminated bedrail then touching your face
Indirect contact transmission occurs when a person touches a contaminated object (fomite) such as a bedrail, then transfers the pathogen to themselves.
Question 4: A patient admitted with suspected meningococcal meningitis should be placed on which precaution level until the diagnosis is confirmed?
- Standard Precautions only
- Contact Precautions
- Droplet Precautions (Correct answer)
- Airborne Precautions
Correct answer: Droplet Precautions
Neisseria meningitidis is spread by respiratory droplets from the nose and throat, so Droplet Precautions are required for suspected meningococcal disease.
Question 5: Which action by the CNA demonstrates a break in isolation technique?
- Placing a used gown inside-out into the waste container in the room
- Leaving gloves on while answering a pager in the hallway (Correct answer)
- Performing hand hygiene after removing gloves
- Using a dedicated stethoscope inside the isolation room
Correct answer: Leaving gloves on while answering a pager in the hallway
Wearing contaminated gloves in the hallway or common areas spreads pathogens beyond the isolation room and is a serious break in technique.
Question 6: Soiled linen from an isolation room should be handled by:
- Shaking it gently before placing in the laundry bag
- Bagging it in the patient's room in a designated linen bag and labeling it (Correct answer)
- Carrying it with gloved hands to the laundry room
- Leaving it in the hallway for housekeeping to collect
Correct answer: Bagging it in the patient's room in a designated linen bag and labeling it
Soiled linen must be placed into the appropriate linen bag inside the isolation room to contain potential pathogens before transport.
Question 7: How often should a CNA perform hand hygiene when providing care inside an isolation room?
- Only before entering and after leaving the room
- Only after removing gloves at the end of the task
- Before and after each care task, even within the same room (Correct answer)
- Once per shift unless visibly soiled
Correct answer: Before and after each care task, even within the same room
The WHO Five Moments of Hand Hygiene apply inside isolation rooms; hand hygiene is required before and after each distinct care task to prevent cross-contamination.
CNA Isolation Precautions 5
A patient on Protective (Reverse) Isolation has a severely weakened immune system.
What is the primary purpose of this type of isolation?