HCA - Health Care Assistant Infection Prevention and Control Questions and Answers 2

Question 1

What is the correct donning (putting on) order for personal protective equipment (PPE) when entering a contact precautions room?

Accepted Answer

Gown first, then mask/eye protection, then gloves

Answer

Gloves first, then gown, then mask

Answer

Mask first, then gloves, then gown

Answer

Gown and gloves simultaneously, then mask

Question 2

A resident has been diagnosed with Clostridioides difficile (C. diff). Which type of precautions are required?

Accepted Answer

Contact precautions with dedicated equipment, private room if possible, and soap and water handwashing (not alcohol hand rub)

Answer

Droplet precautions only since C. diff spreads via respiratory secretions

Answer

Standard precautions alone are sufficient for C. diff management

Answer

Airborne precautions with N95 respirator

Question 3

What does 'point-of-care risk assessment' mean in infection prevention?

Accepted Answer

Evaluating the likelihood of exposure to infectious materials before each task to determine which PPE is required

Answer

Conducting a formal audit of all rooms for infection risks at the start of each shift

Answer

Assessing whether a resident is infectious before admitting them to the facility

Answer

Checking the supply room for adequate PPE inventory before beginning work

Question 4

Which of the following is correct regarding the handling of sharps (needles, lancets) in a care setting?

Accepted Answer

Dispose of all sharps immediately in an approved sharps container at the point of use; never recap needles by hand

Answer

Recap needles carefully using two hands before disposing to prevent accidental needlesticks

Answer

Sharps can be placed in a regular garbage bag if a sharps container is not immediately available

Answer

Used lancets may be rinsed and reused for the same resident to reduce waste

Question 5

How should soiled linen be handled to prevent cross-contamination?

Accepted Answer

Roll soiled linen away from your body, place it directly into a linen bag without shaking, and never place it on the floor or clean surfaces

Answer

Shake linen vigorously before placing in the hamper to remove loose debris

Answer

Carry soiled linen against your uniform to the laundry area efficiently

Answer

Stack soiled linen in the hallway temporarily if the linen hamper is full

Question 6

What is the 'chain of infection' and why is it important in HCA practice?

Accepted Answer

A model of six links (agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, susceptible host) showing how infection spreads; breaking any link prevents infection

Answer

A documentation chain showing how an infection is reported from HCA to physician

Answer

A list of residents currently on isolation precautions in the facility

Answer

A cleaning protocol for breaking down biofilm on medical equipment