IHSA Infection Control & Prevention 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A wrestler develops a skin rash in the groin area with satellite lesions extending beyond the main ring-shaped patch. The MOST likely diagnosis is:
- Tinea corporis (ringworm)
- Tinea cruris (jock itch) (Correct answer)
- MRSA furuncle
- Herpes gladiatorum
Correct answer: Tinea cruris (jock itch)
Tinea cruris is a dermatophyte infection of the groin characterized by ring-shaped lesions that may have satellite pustules and extend to the inner thighs.
Question 2: Which of the following is an example of engineering controls used to reduce bloodborne pathogen exposure in an athletic training setting?
- Wearing latex gloves when treating wounds
- Using a biohazard sharps disposal container for lancets (Correct answer)
- Completing an annual bloodborne pathogen training
- Placing a biohazard label on all first aid kits
Correct answer: Using a biohazard sharps disposal container for lancets
Engineering controls are physical devices that isolate or remove hazards; a puncture-resistant sharps container prevents needlestick injuries at the source.
Question 3: A coach is helping an injured athlete in an outdoor setting and has no gloves available. The BEST immediate alternative to protect against bloodborne pathogens is to:
- Wrap the hand in athletic tape before touching the wound
- Use a plastic bag or multiple layers of gauze as a barrier (Correct answer)
- Apply petroleum jelly to the hands before contact
- Avoid touching the wound until gloves are retrieved
Correct answer: Use a plastic bag or multiple layers of gauze as a barrier
When gloves are unavailable, impermeable barriers such as plastic bags or thick layers of gauze reduce direct skin contact with blood.
Question 4: The incubation period for herpes gladiatorum (HSV-1) after initial exposure in wrestlers is typically:
- 1–2 days
- 2–14 days (Correct answer)
- 3–4 weeks
- 6–8 weeks
Correct answer: 2–14 days
HSV-1 has an incubation period of approximately 2–14 days from exposure to the appearance of primary lesions.
Question 5: Which decontamination level is appropriate for shared athletic mouthguards?
- Sterilization
- High-level disinfection (Correct answer)
- Low-level disinfection
- Intermediate-level disinfection
Correct answer: High-level disinfection
Mouthguards are semi-critical items that contact mucous membranes and require at minimum high-level disinfection (or ideally sterilization if heat-tolerant).
Question 6: When laundering uniforms potentially contaminated with blood, the coach or equipment manager should:
- Pre-soak in cold water for 30 minutes before adding to the regular wash
- Wash on the hottest water setting the fabric allows with a detergent, wearing gloves when handling (Correct answer)
- Dry clean only to avoid cross-contaminating other garments
- Discard uniforms if blood staining is visible
Correct answer: Wash on the hottest water setting the fabric allows with a detergent, wearing gloves when handling
Handling soiled laundry with gloves and using hot water with detergent significantly reduces pathogen load while preserving the garment.
Question 7: A facility's whirlpool used for therapeutic treatment should be disinfected between athlete uses with an EPA-registered disinfectant primarily to prevent transmission of:
- Tinea pedis only
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other waterborne bacteria (Correct answer)
- Hepatitis B virus through water contact
- Airborne respiratory pathogens
Correct answer: Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other waterborne bacteria
Whirlpools support Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation, making proper disinfection critical to prevent folliculitis and wound infections.
IHSA Infection Control & Prevention 3
A wrestler develops a skin rash in the groin area with satellite lesions extending beyond the main ring-shaped patch.
The MOST likely diagnosis is: