CNA Proper Hand Hygiene and PPE Usage 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A CNA enters a room where a patient is on contact precautions. In what order should PPE be donned?
- Gloves, gown, mask, goggles
- Gown, mask/respirator, goggles/face shield, gloves (Correct answer)
- Mask, gloves, gown, goggles
- Goggles, gloves, gown, mask
Correct answer: Gown, mask/respirator, goggles/face shield, gloves
The CDC-recommended order for donning PPE is gown first, then mask or respirator, then goggles or face shield, and finally gloves.
Question 2: When removing contaminated gloves, which technique prevents self-contamination?
- Pull both gloves off simultaneously by the fingertips
- Grasp the outside of one glove near the wrist and peel off, then slide fingers under the remaining glove's wrist (Correct answer)
- Remove gloves by pulling from the fingertips, touching the outer surface
- Shake gloves off without using the other hand
Correct answer: Grasp the outside of one glove near the wrist and peel off, then slide fingers under the remaining glove's wrist
The correct doffing technique involves grasping the outside of the first glove at the wrist and peeling it off, then using the bare hand to slide fingers under the second glove's inner wrist to remove it.
Question 3: A CNA is caring for a patient with C. difficile (C. diff). Which hand hygiene method is MOST effective after removing gloves?
- Alcohol-based hand rub for 20 seconds
- Soap and water handwashing for at least 20 seconds (Correct answer)
- Alcohol-based hand rub followed by soap and water
- Waterless antiseptic wipe
Correct answer: Soap and water handwashing for at least 20 seconds
C. difficile spores are not killed by alcohol-based hand rubs, so soap and water must be used to physically remove the spores.
Question 4: How long should a CNA scrub hands with soap and water to meet standard hand hygiene guidelines?
- At least 5 seconds
- At least 10 seconds
- At least 20 seconds (Correct answer)
- At least 45 seconds
Correct answer: At least 20 seconds
The CDC recommends scrubbing all hand surfaces with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before rinsing.
Question 5: A CNA needs to put on a gown before entering an isolation room. Where should the gown be tied?
- Tied tightly in front at the waist only
- Tied at the neck and at the back at the waist (Correct answer)
- Tied only at the neck
- Left untied to allow quick removal
Correct answer: Tied at the neck and at the back at the waist
The isolation gown should be tied securely at both the neck and the back at the waist to ensure full body coverage.
Question 6: Which situation requires a CNA to wear a surgical mask rather than just performing hand hygiene alone?
- Bathing a patient with a stage 1 pressure ulcer
- Assisting a patient on droplet precautions within 3 feet (Correct answer)
- Providing range-of-motion exercises to a patient with no precautions
- Changing an incontinent brief on a patient with intact skin
Correct answer: Assisting a patient on droplet precautions within 3 feet
Droplet precautions require a surgical mask when working within 3 feet (or per facility policy within 6 feet) of the patient.
Question 7: After using an alcohol-based hand rub, a CNA notices her hands still feel soiled. What should she do?
- Apply a second dose of hand rub
- Wipe hands on a paper towel and continue
- Wash hands with soap and water (Correct answer)
- Apply lotion to reduce the sensation
Correct answer: Wash hands with soap and water
Visibly soiled or heavily contaminated hands must be washed with soap and water; hand rubs are not sufficient for visible soil.
CNA Proper Hand Hygiene and PPE Usage 3
A CNA enters a room where a patient is on contact precautions.
In what order should PPE be donned?