Standard Precautions and Transmission-Based Precautions Flashcards

An LPN is preparing to enter the room of a patient with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis. Which piece of personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential for the nurse to wear?

Answer: N95 respirator

Pulmonary tuberculosis requires Airborne Precautions. This involves wearing a specially fitted N95 respirator mask to filter out small airborne particles (droplet nuclei) that can remain suspended in the air for long periods.

A patient is on Contact Precautions due to a wound infection with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). After providing care, what is the correct sequence for removing PPE?

Answer: Gloves, then gown

The correct sequence for doffing (removing) PPE is designed to prevent self-contamination. The most contaminated items (gloves) are removed first, followed by the gown. Hand hygiene should be performed after removal.

An LPN is caring for a patient diagnosed with influenza. Which type of room placement is most appropriate for this patient?

Answer: A private room or cohort with a patient with the same diagnosis

Influenza is transmitted via droplets. Droplet Precautions require placing the patient in a private room. If a private room is not available, the patient can be cohorted with another patient infected with the same microorganism.

Which action is a fundamental component of Standard Precautions that should be applied to all patients?

Answer: Performing hand hygiene before and after patient contact

Standard Precautions are based on the principle that all blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions (except sweat), nonintact skin, and mucous membranes may contain transmissible infectious agents. Hand hygiene is the single most important practice to reduce the transmission of infections in healthcare settings.

A patient is diagnosed with Clostridioides difficile (C. diff). What is the most effective method for hand hygiene after providing care?

Answer: Washing hands with soap and water

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not effective against C. difficile spores. Therefore, the CDC recommends using soap and water to mechanically remove the spores from the hands after caring for a patient with C. diff.

A patient on Airborne Precautions needs to be transported to the radiology department for a CT scan. Which action should the LPN take?

Answer: Place a surgical mask on the patient

When a patient on Airborne Precautions must leave their room, they should wear a surgical mask to minimize the dispersal of respiratory secretions and contain the source of infection. Healthcare workers transporting the patient do not need to wear an N95 respirator outside the patient's room.

An LPN is reviewing a patient's chart and notes a positive culture for Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) in a draining wound. Which type of transmission-based precaution is required?

Answer: Contact Precautions

VRE is a multi-drug resistant organism (MDRO) that is spread by direct or indirect contact with the patient or their environment. Therefore, Contact Precautions, which include wearing a gown and gloves, are necessary to prevent transmission.