Free NCMA Infection Control and Medical Asepsis Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the chain of infection, which link is broken by proper hand hygiene?
- Infectious Agent
- Reservoir
- Mode of Transmission (Correct answer)
- Susceptible Host
Correct answer: Mode of Transmission
Proper hand hygiene, including handwashing and using alcohol-based rubs, directly interrupts the mode of transmission. This prevents pathogens from being carried from a reservoir or source to a susceptible host.
Question 2: Which of the following is the primary goal of medical asepsis?
- To eliminate all microorganisms and spores from a surface.
- To reduce the number of pathogens and prevent their spread. (Correct answer)
- To clean and disinfect surgical instruments only.
- To isolate patients with communicable diseases.
Correct answer: To reduce the number of pathogens and prevent their spread.
Medical asepsis, also known as 'clean technique,' aims to reduce the number of microorganisms and prevent their spread. It does not eliminate all microorganisms, which is the goal of surgical asepsis (sterilization).
Question 3: The process that destroys all microbial life, including spores, is called:
- Disinfection
- Sanitization
- Antisepsis
- Sterilization (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Sterilization
Sterilization is the complete elimination of all forms of microbial life, including highly resistant bacterial spores. Disinfection eliminates many pathogens but not necessarily spores, while sanitization simply lowers microbial counts to safe levels.
Question 4: According to Standard Precautions, when should a medical assistant wear gloves?
- Only when a patient has a known bloodborne illness.
- When in contact with any patient, regardless of the task.
- When anticipating contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials. (Correct answer)
- Only during invasive procedures like injections.
Correct answer: When anticipating contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials.
Standard Precautions dictate that healthcare workers should assume all blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions (except sweat), non-intact skin, and mucous membranes are potentially infectious. Therefore, gloves should be worn whenever there is a risk of contact with these substances.
Question 5: A medical assistant accidentally sticks themselves with a used needle. What is the first step they should take?
- Report the incident to the supervisor.
- Wash the area with soap and water. (Correct answer)
- Seek immediate medical attention.
- Squeeze the wound to encourage bleeding.
Correct answer: Wash the area with soap and water.
The immediate priority after a needlestick injury is to wash the area thoroughly with soap and water. This helps to remove any potential contaminants from the surface of the skin before reporting the incident and seeking medical evaluation.
Question 6: What is the correct way to dispose of a used syringe and needle?
- Recap the needle and place it in a regular trash can.
- Place it in a puncture-resistant, labeled sharps container. (Correct answer)
- Wrap it in gauze and place it in a biohazard bag.
- Break the needle off before placing it in the trash.
Correct answer: Place it in a puncture-resistant, labeled sharps container.
Used needles and other sharps must be disposed of immediately in a designated sharps container. These containers are puncture-resistant, leak-proof, and labeled with a biohazard symbol to ensure safe handling and prevent accidental injuries.
Free NCMA Infection Control and Medical Asepsis Questions and Answers 1
In the chain of infection, which link is broken by proper hand hygiene?