HCA Infection Control & Safety Procedures 3

Question 1

What is the purpose of 'cohorting' residents during an infectious disease outbreak in a care facility?

Accepted Answer

Grouping residents with the same confirmed infection together in one area to prevent spreading the infection to unaffected residents

Answer

Separating all residents from each other in individual rooms during any illness

Answer

Moving confirmed cases to the hospital to remove them from the facility

Answer

Cohorting refers to organizing staff schedules, not resident placement

Question 2

What special precaution should an HCA take when making an occupied bed to prevent infection transmission?

Accepted Answer

Work systematically from head to foot on one side then the other; hold linen away from uniform; avoid shaking and roll soiled linen inward before bagging

Answer

Strip all linen from the bed before repositioning the resident then remake

Answer

Shake linen to remove loose material before folding for reuse

Answer

Clean linen can be placed on the floor while bed making if the floor appears clean

Question 3

Which of the following personal hygiene practices is most important for HCAs to maintain to reduce infection transmission at work?

Accepted Answer

Keeping fingernails short and clean, avoiding artificial nails, and removing hand jewellery before providing care

Answer

Wearing gloves at all times throughout the entire shift to avoid direct contact

Answer

Applying hand lotion frequently to prevent dry skin that harbours bacteria

Answer

Wearing a face mask throughout the entire shift regardless of precautions in place

Question 4

A blood spill occurs on a vinyl floor in the resident's room. What is the correct decontamination sequence?

Accepted Answer

Don gloves and appropriate PPE; absorb the bulk spill with disposable absorbent material; clean the area with detergent and water; apply a facility-approved disinfectant; dispose of all materials; remove PPE; perform hand hygiene

Answer

Mop the blood spill with a wet mop and apply disinfectant afterward

Answer

Pour disinfectant directly onto the blood spill without prior cleaning

Answer

Absorb the spill with a cloth, discard in regular garbage, and clean with water only

Question 5

What does 'respiratory etiquette' mean and why is it important in a long-term care setting?

Accepted Answer

Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, disposing of tissues immediately, and performing hand hygiene afterward to prevent pathogen dispersal

Answer

Wearing a mask during all interactions with residents in every setting at all times

Answer

Respiratory etiquette refers to speaking quietly around residents who are resting

Answer

Avoiding all verbal communication with residents who have respiratory conditions

Question 6

How does an HCA apply 'routine practices' when caring for a resident with no known infectious conditions?

Accepted Answer

Treat every resident's blood, body fluids, and non-intact skin as potentially infectious regardless of diagnosis; use appropriate PPE based on anticipated contact

Answer

Apply routine practices only to residents known to have infectious conditions

Answer

Routine practices require gloves for all care including conversations and non-contact tasks

Answer

Only wear PPE when directly requested by the nurse for a specific resident