CNA Proper Hand Hygiene and PPE Usage 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A CNA is caring for a patient on contact precautions. After removing gloves, what is the next immediate action?
- Apply new gloves before touching anything
- Perform hand hygiene immediately (Correct answer)
- Remove gown before washing hands
- Notify the charge nurse
Correct answer: Perform hand hygiene immediately
Hand hygiene must be performed immediately after removing gloves, as gloves can have microscopic tears that allow pathogen transfer.
Question 2: Which type of PPE should be donned LAST when preparing to enter an airborne precautions room?
- Gown
- Gloves
- N95 respirator (Correct answer)
- Eye protection
Correct answer: N95 respirator
The N95 respirator is donned last because it must be fit-checked after all other PPE is in place to ensure a proper seal.
Question 3: A CNA notices their gown has become wet while caring for a patient with C. difficile. What should they do?
- Continue care and change at the end of the shift
- Remove and replace the gown immediately (Correct answer)
- Reinforce the gown with a second one over it
- Apply gloves over the wet area
Correct answer: Remove and replace the gown immediately
A saturated or wet gown is no longer an effective barrier and must be changed immediately to prevent pathogen transmission.
Question 4: When using an alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR), which situation requires soap and water instead?
- After removing gloves
- When hands are visibly soiled with blood (Correct answer)
- Before donning a new pair of gloves
- After touching a patient's intact skin
Correct answer: When hands are visibly soiled with blood
Soap and water must be used when hands are visibly dirty, soiled, or contaminated with blood or body fluids because ABHR is not effective in these situations.
Question 5: A CNA is assigned to a patient with known MRSA. Which PPE combination is required for routine care involving direct contact?
- Mask and gloves only
- Gown and gloves (Correct answer)
- Gown, gloves, and N95 respirator
- Gloves only
Correct answer: Gown and gloves
Contact precautions for MRSA require both a gown and gloves for direct patient contact to prevent spread via the contact route.
Question 6: How long should a CNA rub hands together with soap and water during proper hand hygiene?
- At least 5 seconds
- At least 20 seconds (Correct answer)
- At least 45 seconds
- At least 60 seconds
Correct answer: At least 20 seconds
The CDC recommends scrubbing hands with soap for at least 20 seconds to effectively remove pathogens.
Question 7: A CNA is removing a face shield after caring for a patient. Which part of the shield should they avoid touching?
- The strap at the back of the head
- The outer front surface of the shield (Correct answer)
- The inner surface touching the face
- The sides of the frame
Correct answer: The outer front surface of the shield
The outer front surface of the face shield is considered contaminated and must not be touched during removal to prevent self-contamination.
CNA Proper Hand Hygiene and PPE Usage 4
A CNA is caring for a patient on contact precautions.
After removing gloves, what is the next immediate action?