CPAN Safety and Infection Control 4

Question 1

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?

Accepted Answer

Contact precautions

Answer

Airborne precautions

Answer

Droplet precautions

Answer

Protective environment precautions

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

Administering prophylactic antibiotics every six hours

Answer

Using heated humidification in the ventilator circuit

Answer

Suctioning the airway every hour on a scheduled basis

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

Using a 10 mL syringe to minimize turbulence

Answer

Clamping the line above the hub before access

Answer

Flushing with 3 mL normal saline before sampling

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

When a patient has influenza transmitted by large respiratory droplets

Answer

When caring for a patient with active pulmonary tuberculosis

Answer

When performing aerosol-generating procedures on a COVID-19-positive patient

Answer

When inserting a central venous catheter

Question 5

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:

Accepted Answer

Completing a full head-to-toe assessment for injury

Answer

Notifying the patient's family

Answer

Documenting the fall in the medical record immediately

Answer

Completing the fall event report for risk management

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

Conducting a standardized surgical time-out immediately before incision

Answer

Relying on the surgeon's verbal confirmation of the operative site

Answer

Reviewing the operative consent form upon PACU admission

Answer

Asking the patient to identify the surgical site while awake

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

Stop the transfusion and maintain IV access with normal saline

Answer

Slow the transfusion rate and administer acetaminophen

Answer

Notify the blood bank and continue the transfusion at half speed

Answer

Obtain a urine specimen to check for hemoglobinuria