CNA Practice Infection Control and Prevention Flashcards

A resident has been diagnosed with Clostridium difficile (C. diff). Which type of isolation precautions should the CNA follow?

Answer: Contact precautions

C. diff spreads via the fecal-oral route and contaminated surfaces, requiring contact precautions including gown and gloves.

When caring for a resident in contact isolation, in what order should the CNA remove PPE before leaving the room?

Answer: Gloves, gown, mask, hand hygiene

The correct doffing order is gloves first (most contaminated), then gown, then mask, followed by hand hygiene.

Which of the following is the MOST effective method to prevent the spread of C. diff spores on hands?

Answer: Soap and water handwashing

Alcohol-based sanitizers do not kill C. diff spores; soap and water handwashing is required to mechanically remove them.

A CNA notices that the biohazard sharps container is three-quarters full. What should the CNA do?

Answer: Report it so it can be replaced before it is full

Sharps containers should be replaced when three-quarters full to prevent needlestick injuries from overfilling.

Which type of microorganism is NOT destroyed by standard disinfectants and requires sterilization?

Answer: Bacterial spores

Bacterial spores are highly resistant and require sterilization methods such as autoclaving rather than standard disinfection.

A resident with active tuberculosis (TB) requires which level of respiratory protection for the CNA?

Answer: N95 respirator

Active TB requires an N95 respirator because TB is spread via small airborne droplet nuclei that standard surgical masks do not filter.

Which practice helps break the chain of infection at the 'mode of transmission' link?

Answer: Wearing gloves when handling body fluids

Wearing gloves when handling body fluids is a barrier that interrupts how pathogens travel from reservoir to a new host.