DHA Infection Control & Prevention 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient with Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection is admitted to the ward. Which type of precautions should be implemented in addition to standard precautions?
- Droplet precautions
- Airborne precautions
- Contact precautions (Correct answer)
- Protective isolation
Correct answer: Contact precautions
C. diff is transmitted via the fecal-oral route through spores on surfaces and hands, requiring contact precautions including gown and gloves.
Question 2: Which hand hygiene agent is MOST effective against Clostridioides difficile spores?
- Alcohol-based hand rub
- Chlorhexidine gluconate soap
- Soap and water (Correct answer)
- Povidone-iodine scrub
Correct answer: Soap and water
Alcohol-based hand rubs do not reliably kill C. diff spores; soap and water with friction physically removes spores from hands.
Question 3: A healthcare worker is caring for a patient on contact precautions. In what order should PPE be removed to prevent self-contamination?
- Gloves, goggles, gown, mask (Correct answer)
- Gown, gloves, mask, goggles
- Mask, goggles, gown, gloves
- Goggles, mask, gloves, gown
Correct answer: Gloves, goggles, gown, mask
CDC doffing sequence begins with gloves (most contaminated), then goggles/face shield, gown, and finally mask/respirator.
Question 4: Which of the following is classified as an intermediate-level disinfectant?
- Glutaraldehyde 2%
- 70% isopropyl alcohol (Correct answer)
- Quaternary ammonium compounds (low concentration)
- Sodium hypochlorite 0.005%
Correct answer: 70% isopropyl alcohol
Intermediate-level disinfectants such as 70% isopropyl alcohol inactivate most bacteria, mycobacteria, fungi, and most viruses but not spores.
Question 5: A nurse must perform a urinary catheter insertion. Which type of technique is required to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI)?
- Clean technique
- Aseptic technique (Correct answer)
- Barrier technique
- Surgical scrub technique
Correct answer: Aseptic technique
Aseptic (sterile) technique using sterile gloves, drape, and supplies is required for urinary catheter insertion to prevent CAUTI.
Question 6: Which of the following is the primary purpose of an infection control risk assessment (ICRA) in healthcare construction projects?
- To estimate renovation costs
- To identify and mitigate infection risks from dust and debris during construction (Correct answer)
- To assess staff competency in infection control
- To schedule patient transfers during construction
Correct answer: To identify and mitigate infection risks from dust and debris during construction
An ICRA evaluates the risk of airborne pathogens such as Aspergillus from construction dust reaching vulnerable patients and guides containment measures.
Question 7: A healthcare worker accidentally receives a needlestick injury from an HIV-positive patient's needle. What is the FIRST action that should be taken?
- Report to occupational health immediately
- Begin post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) within 72 hours
- Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water (Correct answer)
- Apply a tourniquet above the injury site
Correct answer: Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water
The immediate first step is to wash the wound with soap and water for several minutes to reduce pathogen load before reporting and considering PEP.
DHA Infection Control & Prevention 4
A patient with Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection is admitted to the ward.
Which type of precautions should be implemented in addition to standard precautions?