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- Health Care Assistant Infection Prevention and Control Questions and Answers Flashcards

6 cards from real HCA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 6 - Health Care Assistant Infection Prevention and Control Questions and Answers flashcards as text

  1. A resident on airborne precautions (e.g., suspected tuberculosis) requires care. What specific respiratory protection must the HCA use?

    Answer: A fit-tested N95 respirator, not a standard surgical mask

    Airborne pathogens (TB, measles, varicella) require an N95 respirator that filters at least 95% of airborne particles; surgical masks are insufficient.

  2. What is the most important factor in effective hand washing technique?

    Answer: Friction applied to all surfaces of both hands for a minimum of 15 to 20 seconds using soap and water

    Friction and duration (15–20 seconds) are the mechanically active elements of handwashing; water temperature and soap brand are secondary.

  3. What is the purpose of environmental cleaning in infection prevention, and who is responsible?

    Answer: Regular cleaning and disinfection of high-touch surfaces breaks the chain of infection; HCAs contribute by cleaning items in their scope such as resident equipment and overbed tables

    HCAs share responsibility for cleaning items in their scope; high-touch surface cleaning is continuous, not only outbreak-triggered.

  4. A resident on droplet precautions (e.g., influenza) asks the HCA to help them ambulate in the hallway. What should the HCA do?

    Answer: Provide the resident with a surgical mask, have the resident clean their hands, and limit hallway time to essential movement; HCA wears surgical mask and practices hand hygiene

    Droplet precautions allow resident mobility with a surgical mask on the resident; HCA wears surgical mask during close contact.

  5. What should an HCA do after removing and disposing of contaminated gloves?

    Answer: Perform hand hygiene immediately, even though gloves were worn, because gloves can develop micro-tears during use

    Gloves are not impermeable — micro-tears and improper doffing can contaminate hands; hand hygiene after glove removal is mandatory.

  6. What does MRSA stand for, and why does it pose a particular challenge in care settings?

    Answer: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; it is resistant to many common antibiotics, making infections difficult to treat

    MRSA's antibiotic resistance means standard first-line antibiotics are ineffective, requiring more toxic or expensive alternatives.