CNA Proper Hand Hygiene and PPE Usage 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A CNA is asked to transport a patient in airborne isolation to X-ray. What precaution should the patient take during transport?
- The patient needs no protection during transport
- The patient should wear a surgical mask during transport (Correct answer)
- The CNA must wear an N95 but the patient needs nothing
- Transport should be canceled entirely
Correct answer: The patient should wear a surgical mask during transport
During transport, patients on airborne precautions should wear a surgical mask to contain respiratory droplets and protect others in common areas.
Question 2: When should an N95 respirator be fit-tested?
- Every time it is put on, using a mirror
- Initially upon hire and annually thereafter, or when facial changes occur (Correct answer)
- Only after a known exposure event
- Fit testing is not required for CNAs
Correct answer: Initially upon hire and annually thereafter, or when facial changes occur
OSHA requires N95 fit testing before initial use and at least annually, and whenever the wearer has facial changes (e.g., significant weight change, dental work).
Question 3: A CNA accidentally touches her face while wearing contaminated gloves. What is the correct immediate action?
- Continue care and wash face after the shift
- Remove gloves immediately, perform hand hygiene, wash the affected area, and report per facility policy (Correct answer)
- Apply hand sanitizer to the face
- Change only the gloves and resume care
Correct answer: Remove gloves immediately, perform hand hygiene, wash the affected area, and report per facility policy
Any potential exposure to contaminated material requires immediate removal of gloves, thorough hand hygiene, cleansing of the exposed area, and reporting according to facility protocol.
Question 4: Which of the following correctly describes when to use a face shield versus goggles during patient care?
- Face shields and goggles are interchangeable in all situations
- Goggles protect eyes only; a face shield provides broader protection including eyes, nose, and mouth (Correct answer)
- A face shield is only needed in the operating room
- Goggles are required only in ICU settings
Correct answer: Goggles protect eyes only; a face shield provides broader protection including eyes, nose, and mouth
Goggles protect only the eyes, while a face shield provides broader splash protection for the eyes, nose, and mouth during procedures with splatter risk.
Question 5: A CNA notices that the facility's alcohol-based hand rub dispenser is empty at a patient room entrance. What is the best action?
- Skip hand hygiene for that patient and document it
- Use hand lotion as a substitute
- Report it immediately to the charge nurse and find an alternative hand hygiene station (Correct answer)
- Wait until the next shift to report it
Correct answer: Report it immediately to the charge nurse and find an alternative hand hygiene station
An empty hand hygiene dispenser is a safety hazard that must be reported immediately; the CNA should use an available sink with soap and water in the interim.
Question 6: After removing all PPE following isolation room care, at what point should the final hand hygiene be performed?
- Before removing any PPE
- Immediately after removing gloves only, not after full doffing
- As the last step, after all PPE has been removed (Correct answer)
- Hand hygiene is not needed after PPE removal since gloves were worn
Correct answer: As the last step, after all PPE has been removed
Hand hygiene must be performed as the final step after all PPE has been removed, since hands can become contaminated during the doffing process.
Question 7: Which condition would require a CNA to don a gown in addition to gloves when performing routine perineal care?
- Patient has a healed surgical incision
- Patient has active diarrhea or a draining wound with heavy exudate (Correct answer)
- Patient is ambulatory and cooperative
- Patient is on a regular diet with no restrictions
Correct answer: Patient has active diarrhea or a draining wound with heavy exudate
A gown must be worn when there is risk of soiling clothing or skin with infectious material such as active diarrhea, large wound exudate, or heavy bodily fluid exposure.
CNA Proper Hand Hygiene and PPE Usage 5
A CNA is asked to transport a patient in airborne isolation to X-ray.
What precaution should the patient take during transport?