CPNRE - Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination Infection Prevention and Control Questions and Answers

Question 1

A practical nurse is providing care for a client diagnosed with Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) who is experiencing diarrhea. Which combination of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is essential for the nurse to wear when entering the client's room to provide direct care?

Accepted Answer

Gown and clean gloves.

Answer

Clostridioides difficile requires Contact Precautions. This involves wearing a gown and gloves for all interactions that may involve contact with the client or potentially contaminated environmental surfaces to prevent the spread of C. diff spores. Hand hygiene with soap and water is also crucial as alcohol-based hand rubs are less effective against the spores.

Question 2

A practical nurse diligently performs hand hygiene before and after every client interaction. This action is primarily aimed at breaking which link in the chain of infection?

Accepted Answer

Mode of Transmission

Answer

Hand hygiene is the single most effective way to prevent healthcare-associated infections. It interrupts the mode of transmission by removing or destroying microorganisms on the hands, preventing them from being transferred from one person or surface to another.

Question 3

Which of the following nursing procedures requires the use of surgical asepsis (sterile technique)?

Accepted Answer

Inserting an indwelling urinary catheter.

Answer

Surgical asepsis, or sterile technique, is required for procedures that involve entering a sterile body cavity. The urinary bladder is considered a sterile cavity, so inserting a urinary catheter must be done using sterile technique to prevent introducing microorganisms and causing a urinary tract infection. The other options require medical asepsis (clean technique).

Question 4

While disposing of a used syringe, a practical nurse sustains a needlestick injury to their finger. What is the nurse's immediate priority action?

Accepted Answer

Wash the area thoroughly with soap and water.

Answer

The immediate and highest priority action after a percutaneous injury is to wash the wound with soap and running water to help remove any potential pathogens. While reporting the injury and completing documentation are critical subsequent steps, first aid to the wound site must be performed first. Squeezing the wound is not recommended as it may cause further tissue damage.

Question 5

According to the principles of Routine Practices in Canada, when should a practical nurse perform a point-of-care risk assessment (PCRA)?

Accepted Answer

Before every interaction with a client or their environment.

Answer

A point-of-care risk assessment (PCRA) is a core component of Routine Practices and must be done by the healthcare worker before each and every client interaction. This assessment helps determine the risk of exposure to microorganisms and the appropriate control measures (including PPE) needed for that specific task and situation.

CPNRE - Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination Practice Test

CPNRE - Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination Practice Test

CPNRE - Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination Infection Prevention and Control Questions and Answers