Infection Prevention and Control Flashcards

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?

Answer: Gown and clean gloves.

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.

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?

Answer: Mode of Transmission

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.

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

Answer: Inserting an indwelling urinary catheter.

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).

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

Answer: Wash the area thoroughly with soap and water.

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.

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

Answer: Before every interaction with a client or their environment.

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.

A practical nurse is assigned to a client diagnosed with influenza. In addition to Routine Practices, which type of transmission-based precautions is required?

Answer: Droplet Precautions

Influenza is transmitted via large infectious droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Therefore, Droplet Precautions are required in addition to Routine Practices. This typically includes wearing a surgical mask and eye protection when working within 2 meters of the client.