Free CNA Safety and Infection Control Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the first step a CNA should take to prevent the spread of infection?
- Wear gloves when touching patients
- Perform hand hygiene (Correct answer)
- Use hand sanitizer after patient contact
- Wear a gown when entering a patient’s room
Correct answer: Perform hand hygiene
Hand hygiene (washing hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand rub) is the first and most important step to prevent the spread of infection. It should be done before and after contact with patients, after using the restroom, before eating, and after touching any potentially contaminated surfaces. Gloves, gowns, and hand sanitizers are additional measures but do not replace proper hand hygiene.
Question 2: When should a CNA wear gloves?
- When giving a bed bath (Correct answer)
- When measuring blood pressure
- When assisting a patient with ambulation
- When feeding a patient
Correct answer: When giving a bed bath
Gloves should be worn when there is a potential for coming into contact with bodily fluids, such as during a bed bath, when changing bed linens for an incontinent patient, or when performing oral care. Measuring blood pressure and feeding a patient typically do not require gloves unless the patient has an open wound or bodily fluid exposure risk.
Question 3: A CNA is cleaning a patient’s room after discharge. What is the proper way to handle the soiled linens?
- Shake the linens to remove dirt and dust before placing them in the laundry
- Place the soiled linens on the floor while changing the bed
- Hold the soiled linens away from your uniform and place them in the designated laundry bin (Correct answer)
- Place the soiled linens in a clean, dry container before transferring them to the laundry area
Correct answer: Hold the soiled linens away from your uniform and place them in the designated laundry bin
Soiled linens should always be handled carefully to prevent contamination. CNAs should avoid shaking linens, as this can spread germs through the air. They should also avoid placing them on the floor, as it can lead to contamination of surfaces. Linens should be held away from the CNA’s uniform and placed in the proper laundry bin immediately.
Question 4: Which of the following is an important step when applying personal protective equipment (PPE)?
- Gloves should be put on before the gown
- The mask should cover only the mouth, not the nose
- Remove gloves first when taking off PPE (Correct answer)
- Dispose of all PPE in a regular trash bin
Correct answer: Remove gloves first when taking off PPE
When removing PPE, gloves should be removed first because they are most likely to be contaminated. After removing gloves, the gown, mask, and eye protection can be removed in a way that minimizes contamination. PPE should always be disposed of in designated biohazard containers, not regular trash bins. The mask should always cover both the mouth and nose.
Question 5: A CNA observes a spill on the floor in a patient’s room. What should they do first?
- Call the housekeeping department
- Wipe the spill with a towel
- Place a wet floor sign and clean up the spill immediately (Correct answer)
- Wait for the nurse to give instructions
Correct answer: Place a wet floor sign and clean up the spill immediately
Safety is a priority, and spills can cause patients, staff, and visitors to slip and fall. The CNA should first place a wet floor sign to alert others to the hazard, then clean up the spill immediately if it's safe to do so. If the spill involves a hazardous substance (e.g., chemicals or bodily fluids), follow facility protocol for proper cleanup and call housekeeping if necessary.
Free CNA Safety and Infection Control Questions and Answers 1
What is the first step a CNA should take to prevent the spread of infection?