CNA Safety and Infection Control 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The chain of infection requires all links to be present for disease to spread. Which link does hand hygiene MOST directly break?
- Susceptible host
- Portal of entry
- Mode of transmission (Correct answer)
- Reservoir
Correct answer: Mode of transmission
Hand hygiene removes pathogens from the hands, directly interrupting the mode of transmission before organisms can reach a new host.
Question 2: A resident who is confused tries to climb over the side rail at night. What is the SAFEST initial intervention?
- Apply a full-length restraint to keep the resident in bed
- Lower the bed to the lowest position and place a floor mat (Correct answer)
- Raise all four side rails to create a barrier
- Tell the resident firmly to stay in bed
Correct answer: Lower the bed to the lowest position and place a floor mat
Lowering the bed and padding the floor reduces fall-related injury risk without using restraints, which require a physician order and can increase agitation.
Question 3: Which action by a CNA demonstrates correct technique when using an alcohol-based hand rub?
- Apply the product, rub for 5 seconds, then rinse with water
- Apply enough product to cover all hand surfaces and rub until dry (Correct answer)
- Use the product only when soap and water are unavailable
- Apply the product to gloved hands to disinfect them between tasks
Correct answer: Apply enough product to cover all hand surfaces and rub until dry
Rubbing all surfaces until the product fully evaporates (approximately 20 seconds) is required for effective pathogen reduction with alcohol-based hand rub.
Question 4: A fire breaks out in the room next to a resident's room. Using the RACE acronym, what is the FIRST action?
- Activate the fire alarm
- Confine the fire by closing doors
- Extinguish the fire if small
- Rescue residents in immediate danger (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Rescue residents in immediate danger
The R in RACE stands for Rescue — moving residents in immediate danger to safety is always the first priority.
Question 5: A CNA accidentally splashes blood on their face during a procedure. What is the FIRST action?
- Report the exposure to the charge nurse immediately
- Flush the area with water for at least 15 minutes (Correct answer)
- Apply an antiseptic cream to the affected area
- Complete an incident report before doing anything else
Correct answer: Flush the area with water for at least 15 minutes
Flushing mucous membranes or skin with water for 15 minutes is the immediate first-aid response to a bloodborne pathogen exposure.
Question 6: Which of the following is the CORRECT order for donning PPE before entering a contact precaution room?
- Gloves → Gown → Mask → Eye protection
- Gown → Mask → Eye protection → Gloves (Correct answer)
- Mask → Eye protection → Gloves → Gown
- Eye protection → Gown → Gloves → Mask
Correct answer: Gown → Mask → Eye protection → Gloves
The CDC-recommended donning order is gown first, then mask, then eye protection, then gloves, so the gloves cover the gown cuffs last.
Question 7: A resident has been placed in airborne precautions for tuberculosis. What type of room is required?
- A standard private room with the door closed
- A negative-pressure airborne infection isolation room (Correct answer)
- A positive-pressure room to protect the resident
- Any room with a window that can be opened
Correct answer: A negative-pressure airborne infection isolation room
TB requires a negative-pressure airborne infection isolation room (AIIR) so that contaminated air flows inward and is exhausted safely rather than spreading to the hallway.
CNA Safety and Infection Control 3
The chain of infection requires all links to be present for disease to spread.
Which link does hand hygiene MOST directly break?