Safety and Infection Control Flashcards

A critically ill patient requires prolonged broad-spectrum antibiotics. Which intervention BEST reduces the risk of Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea?

Answer: De-escalating antibiotics to the narrowest effective spectrum as soon as possible

Antibiotic stewardship with prompt de-escalation to the narrowest spectrum reduces disruption of colonization resistance and is the primary C. difficile prevention strategy.

Which occupational health measure is specifically recommended for ICU staff working with patients on varicella-zoster airborne precautions?

Answer: Confirming immune status (vaccination or serology) before patient contact

Non-immune staff should not care for patients with active varicella or disseminated zoster; immune status must be confirmed before assignment.

In the ICU, how should a blood pressure cuff be handled after use on a patient in contact precautions?

Answer: Dedicated to that patient and disinfected before use on any other patient

Shared patient equipment such as blood pressure cuffs must be dedicated to the isolated patient or thoroughly disinfected between patients to prevent cross-transmission.

Which of the following best describes the principle of 'source isolation' in infection control?

Answer: Placing an infected or colonized patient in a single room to prevent outward spread

Source isolation places the infected patient in a single room to contain the pathogen and protect other patients and staff from exposure.

What is the rationale for elevating the head of the bed to 30–45 degrees in mechanically ventilated patients?

Answer: Reduces gastroesophageal reflux and microaspiration of oropharyngeal secretions

Semi-recumbent positioning reduces gastric reflux and aspiration of oropharyngeal/gastric contents into the lower respiratory tract, thereby reducing VAP risk.

Which of the following is an example of a 'never event' related to patient safety in ICU infection control?

Answer: Central line insertion without using sterile gloves

Central line insertion without sterile gloves violates a fundamental, preventable safety standard and represents a never event—an inexcusable breach of aseptic technique.

In ICU infection control audits, what does the 'Five Moments for Hand Hygiene' framework specifically define?

Answer: Five specific clinical moments where hand hygiene is required to interrupt pathogen transmission

The WHO Five Moments framework defines five specific points during patient care (before/after patient contact, before aseptic tasks, after body fluid exposure, after touching patient surroundings) where hand hygiene interrupts transmission.