Safety and Infection Control Flashcards

A PACU nurse cares for a patient with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a wound. In addition to standard precautions, which additional precautions are required?

Answer: Contact precautions

MRSA wound infections require contact precautions — gown and gloves — in addition to standard precautions to prevent transmission through direct or indirect contact.

Which PACU nursing intervention MOST directly reduces the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in a mechanically ventilated patient?

Answer: Maintaining head-of-bed elevation at 30–45 degrees

Elevating the head of the bed 30–45 degrees is a core VAP bundle intervention that reduces aspiration of oropharyngeal secretions into the lower respiratory tract.

A PACU nurse is about to draw blood from a central line. Which of the following represents the highest-priority aseptic technique?

Answer: Scrubbing the hub with 70% alcohol for at least 15 seconds and allowing to dry

'Scrub the hub' technique — vigorously scrubbing with 70% alcohol for ≥15 seconds and allowing it to dry — is the critical step to prevent central line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI).

When is it MOST appropriate for a PACU nurse to use a surgical mask instead of an N95 respirator?

Answer: When a patient has influenza transmitted by large respiratory droplets

Influenza is transmitted via large respiratory droplets, so a surgical mask provides adequate protection; N95 respirators are reserved for airborne precautions or aerosol-generating procedures.

A post-operative patient is found on the floor after falling from the PACU stretcher. After ensuring patient safety, the nurse's NEXT priority is:

Answer: Completing a full head-to-toe assessment for injury

After securing the patient's immediate safety, a thorough physical assessment for injury takes priority over documentation or notification activities.

Which of the following is the MOST effective strategy to prevent wrong-site surgery in the perioperative period?

Answer: Conducting a standardized surgical time-out immediately before incision

The Joint Commission's Universal Protocol requires a standardized time-out immediately before incision to verify correct patient, procedure, and site, making it the most effective wrong-site prevention strategy.

A PACU patient receiving a blood transfusion develops fever, chills, and back pain 30 minutes into the infusion. The nurse should FIRST:

Answer: Stop the transfusion and maintain IV access with normal saline

Signs suggestive of a hemolytic transfusion reaction require immediate cessation of the transfusion while maintaining IV access to permit fluid resuscitation and medication administration.