CSC Safety & Infection Control 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When doffing contaminated PPE, which item should be removed FIRST?
- Mask
- Gloves (Correct answer)
- Gown
- Face shield
Correct answer: Gloves
Gloves are removed first because they are the most heavily contaminated item and their removal prevents transferring pathogens to other PPE or bare skin.
Question 2: After sustaining a needlestick injury, what is the FIRST immediate action?
- Report to the supervisor immediately
- Complete an incident report form
- Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water (Correct answer)
- Apply pressure to stop any bleeding
Correct answer: Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water
Immediate washing of the wound with soap and water is the first response to reduce the risk of bloodborne pathogen transmission.
Question 3: Which of the following is NOT one of the six links in the chain of infection?
- Infectious agent
- Reservoir
- Mode of transmission
- Patient vaccination status (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Patient vaccination status
The six chain links are: infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host; vaccination status affects susceptibility but is not a link.
Question 4: Which bloodborne pathogen carries the HIGHEST transmission risk per needlestick exposure?
- HIV
- HCV (Hepatitis C virus)
- HBV (Hepatitis B virus) (Correct answer)
- HTLV-1
Correct answer: HBV (Hepatitis B virus)
HBV has a transmission rate of 6–30% per needlestick in unvaccinated individuals, far exceeding HIV (0.3%) and HCV (1.8%).
Question 5: At minimum, contact precautions require the specimen collector to wear:
- N95 respirator and gown
- Gloves and gown (Correct answer)
- Face shield and gloves only
- Surgical mask only
Correct answer: Gloves and gown
Contact precautions require gloves and a gown to prevent transmission via direct skin-to-skin or indirect contact with contaminated surfaces.
Question 6: Gloves must be changed and hand hygiene performed:
- Every 30 minutes during continuous collections
- Between each patient encounter (Correct answer)
- Only when gloves are visibly torn or soiled
- At the end of each collection session
Correct answer: Between each patient encounter
Gloves must be changed and hand hygiene performed between each patient to prevent cross-contamination from one patient to another.
Question 7: When hands are visibly soiled with blood, which hand hygiene method is required?
- Alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR)
- Soap and water (Correct answer)
- Antiseptic towelette wipe
- Chlorhexidine-based foam dispenser
Correct answer: Soap and water
Visibly soiled hands must be washed with soap and water because ABHR does not physically remove organic material like blood.
CSC Safety & Infection Control 2
When doffing contaminated PPE, which item should be removed FIRST?