LPN Safety and Infection Control 3 ā Questions and Answers
Question 1: A nurse is preparing to administer medication through a central venous catheter. Which action is essential to prevent central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI)?
- Use clean gloves when accessing the port
- Scrub the hub with alcohol for at least 15 seconds before access (Correct answer)
- Flush the line with heparin before each use
- Change the central line dressing every 24 hours
Correct answer: Scrub the hub with alcohol for at least 15 seconds before access
Scrubbing the needleless connector hub with alcohol for at least 15 seconds using friction ('scrub the hub') is essential to reduce CLABSI risk.
Question 2: An elderly patient with confusion attempts to climb out of bed repeatedly. Which is the LEAST restrictive safety intervention to try first?
- Apply a vest restraint
- Lower the bed and place a fall mat on the floor (Correct answer)
- Raise all four side rails
- Apply soft wrist restraints
Correct answer: Lower the bed and place a fall mat on the floor
Lowering the bed and placing a fall mat is the least restrictive intervention that reduces injury risk without using physical restraints.
Question 3: Which patient is at HIGHEST risk for developing a healthcare-associated infection (HAI)?
- A 25-year-old with an uncomplicated appendectomy
- A 70-year-old receiving chemotherapy with an indwelling urinary catheter (Correct answer)
- A 45-year-old admitted for observation after a fall
- A 35-year-old with well-controlled type 2 diabetes
Correct answer: A 70-year-old receiving chemotherapy with an indwelling urinary catheter
Immunosuppression from chemotherapy combined with an indwelling urinary catheter dramatically increases HAI risk.
Question 4: What is the correct sequence for removing PPE after caring for a patient on contact precautions?
- Gloves, goggles, gown, mask (Correct answer)
- Gown, gloves, mask, goggles
- Mask, gown, gloves, goggles
- Goggles, mask, gown, gloves
Correct answer: Gloves, goggles, gown, mask
CDC guidelines specify removing gloves first (most contaminated), then goggles, then gown, then mask to minimize self-contamination.
Question 5: A patient with a latex allergy is scheduled for a procedure. The nurse should:
- Use only sterile latex gloves during the procedure
- Document the allergy and proceed with the standard setup
- Ensure the room is stocked with latex-free supplies and alert all team members (Correct answer)
- Ask the patient to bring their own latex-free supplies
Correct answer: Ensure the room is stocked with latex-free supplies and alert all team members
All supplies must be latex-free and all team members must be informed to prevent potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis.
Question 6: Which statement about the chain of infection is correct?
- Breaking any single link in the chain prevents infection transmission (Correct answer)
- The portal of entry must be the same as the reservoir
- Hand hygiene primarily interrupts the susceptible host link
- Standard precautions target only the infectious agent link
Correct answer: Breaking any single link in the chain prevents infection transmission
The chain of infection has six links, and breaking any one linkāsuch as the mode of transmissionācan prevent infection from spreading.
Question 7: During a fire in a patient care area, what does the acronym RACE direct staff to do first?
- Run to the nearest exit
- Rescue patients in immediate danger (Correct answer)
- Report the fire to administration
- Ring the alarm bell
Correct answer: Rescue patients in immediate danger
RACE stands for Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish/EvacuateāRescue of those in immediate danger is always the first priority.
LPN Safety and Infection Control 3
A nurse is preparing to administer medication through a central venous catheter.
Which action is essential to prevent central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI)?