Infection Control Flashcards

A nurse is caring for a patient on contact precautions. A family member asks to visit. The nurse should:

Answer: Instruct the visitor to wear gloves and gown and perform hand hygiene

Visitors entering a contact precaution room should follow the same PPE requirements as healthcare workers.

Which of the following is an example of a vector-borne mode of disease transmission?

Answer: Mosquito transmitting malaria

Vector-borne transmission occurs when a living organism (e.g., mosquito) carries and transmits a pathogen to a host.

The nurse is preparing to insert a peripheral IV. Which action best reduces the risk of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI)?

Answer: Scrubbing the insertion site with chlorhexidine and allowing it to dry

Skin antisepsis with >0.5% chlorhexidine in alcohol, allowed to fully dry, is the evidence-based standard for vascular access site prep.

Which condition requires contact AND airborne precautions simultaneously?

Answer: Varicella (chickenpox)

Varicella requires both airborne precautions (aerosolized virus) and contact precautions (skin lesions).

A patient is diagnosed with scabies. The nurse should initiate which type of precautions?

Answer: Contact precautions

Scabies mites are transmitted by direct skin-to-skin contact, so contact precautions are required.

The process of destroying all forms of microbial life, including spores, is called:

Answer: Sterilization

Sterilization eliminates all microbial life including highly resistant bacterial spores, unlike disinfection which does not kill all spores.

A nurse working in a hospital is exposed to a patient later diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis. The exposure was via droplet. The nurse should:

Answer: Begin prophylactic antibiotics as directed by employee health

Post-exposure prophylaxis with rifampin or ciprofloxacin is recommended for close droplet exposures to Neisseria meningitidis.