Safety and Infection Control Flashcards
7 cards from real LPN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Safety and Infection Control flashcards as text
A patient is found on the floor. After calling for help, what is the nurse's next priority action?
Answer: Assess the patient for injury before moving them
Before moving a fall victim, the nurse must assess for injuries such as fractures or head trauma that could be worsened by repositioning.
A nurse is assigned to care for a patient with Clostridium difficile (C. diff). Which hand hygiene method is most effective against C. diff spores?
Answer: Soap and water with friction for at least 20 seconds
Alcohol-based hand rubs are ineffective against C. diff spores; soap and water with mechanical friction is required to physically remove spores.
Which environmental condition increases the risk of electrical injury to patients?
Answer: Having wet or moist skin when touching electrical equipment
Wet or moist skin dramatically lowers electrical resistance, increasing the risk of shock when contacting electrical equipment.
A patient with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) is being discharged to a long-term care facility. The nurse's priority is to:
Answer: Ensure the receiving facility is notified of the patient's VRE status
The receiving facility must be informed of VRE status so they can implement appropriate contact precautions to protect residents and staff.
Which action by a nurse demonstrates correct use of sterile technique during a urinary catheter insertion?
Answer: Touching only the outside of the sterile drape to position it
Only the outer 1-inch border of a sterile drape is considered unsterile; the nurse may touch only this border to position it.
A nurse discovers that a medication error occurred on the previous shift. What is the priority action?
Answer: Assess the patient for adverse effects and notify the provider
Patient safety is the immediate priority; the nurse must assess for harm and notify the provider so treatment can be initiated if needed.
A patient with HIV asks the nurse if other staff members need to know about their diagnosis. The nurse's best response is:
Answer: 'Only staff directly involved in your care who need to know will be informed.'
Confidentiality requires that patient health information be shared only on a need-to-know basis with those directly involved in providing care.