CPNRE Infection Prevention and Control 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client with Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) colitis is admitted to the unit. Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is required when entering the room?
- N95 respirator and eye protection
- Gown and gloves only (Correct answer)
- Surgical mask and gloves
- Gown, gloves, and surgical mask
Correct answer: Gown and gloves only
C. diff is transmitted via contact; gown and gloves are required, but a mask is not routinely needed unless splashing is anticipated.
Question 2: After removing gloves, a nurse notices a small tear in one glove. What is the priority action?
- Apply hand sanitizer only
- Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (Correct answer)
- Re-glove immediately without washing
- Document the incident and continue care
Correct answer: Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
When glove integrity is compromised, thorough handwashing with soap and water is the priority to remove any potential pathogens.
Question 3: Which of the following pathogens requires AIRBORNE precautions in addition to standard precautions?
- Influenza
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Correct answer)
- Norovirus
Correct answer: Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is transmitted via airborne droplet nuclei and requires an N95 respirator and negative-pressure room.
Question 4: A nurse is about to perform a urinary catheter insertion. Which hand hygiene approach is correct immediately before donning sterile gloves?
- Skip hand hygiene since gloves provide full protection
- Use alcohol-based hand rub for at least 20-30 seconds
- Wash hands with soap and water for at least 1 minute (Correct answer)
- Wipe hands with an antiseptic cloth
Correct answer: Wash hands with soap and water for at least 1 minute
Before sterile procedures, surgical hand antisepsis with soap and water for at least 1 minute is recommended to reduce transient flora.
Question 5: A resident in a long-term care facility develops a fever, productive cough, and new infiltrate on chest X-ray. Which type of precaution should be implemented FIRST while awaiting culture results?
- Contact precautions
- Droplet precautions (Correct answer)
- Airborne precautions
- Neutropenic precautions
Correct answer: Droplet precautions
Droplet precautions are initiated first for suspected respiratory infections with productive cough until the pathogen is identified.
Question 6: Which action best prevents transmission of infections through contaminated environmental surfaces in a hospital room?
- Wearing gloves at all times in the room
- Cleaning high-touch surfaces with an EPA-approved disinfectant (Correct answer)
- Keeping the room door closed
- Placing a sign on the door
Correct answer: Cleaning high-touch surfaces with an EPA-approved disinfectant
Cleaning high-touch surfaces (bed rails, call bells, door handles) with EPA-approved disinfectants reduces pathogen burden and transmission risk.
Question 7: A nurse sustains a needlestick injury from a client known to be HIV-positive. What is the FIRST action the nurse should take?
- Complete an incident report immediately
- Notify the charge nurse
- Wash the wound with soap and water (Correct answer)
- Go to occupational health for post-exposure prophylaxis
Correct answer: Wash the wound with soap and water
Immediately washing the wound with soap and water is the first action to reduce the risk of infection before any reporting or prophylaxis steps.
CPNRE Infection Prevention and Control 4
A client with Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) colitis is admitted to the unit.
Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is required when entering the room?