MOH Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology 3

Question 1

The primary goal of an antibiotic stewardship program in a healthcare facility is to:

Accepted Answer

Optimize antibiotic use to improve outcomes and limit the emergence of resistance

Answer

Reduce overall pharmacy expenditure

Answer

Eliminate antibiotic prescribing in outpatient settings

Answer

Standardize all patients on broad-spectrum antibiotics

Question 2

During a suspected healthcare outbreak, the FIRST priority is to:

Accepted Answer

Confirm and define the outbreak by establishing a case definition

Answer

Administer antibiotics to all exposed patients immediately

Answer

Close the affected ward and transfer patients

Answer

Issue a public statement to reassure the community

Question 3

The most effective engineering control to prevent needlestick injuries in healthcare workers is:

Accepted Answer

Using safety-engineered sharps devices and never recapping needles

Answer

Recapping needles with a two-handed technique

Answer

Wearing double gloves when handling sharps

Answer

Disposing of all sharps in regular waste containers

Question 4

In infection control, 'cohorting' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Grouping patients infected with the same pathogen together in one area or ward

Answer

Placing a single infected patient in a private negative-pressure room

Answer

Transferring all infected patients to an isolation facility

Answer

Designating dedicated staff to care only for uninfected patients

Question 5

Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for a healthcare worker exposed to HIV via needlestick must be initiated:

Accepted Answer

Within 72 hours of exposure

Answer

Within 7 days of exposure

Answer

Within 24 hours only; ineffective after that

Answer

Only after a positive HIV test result on the source patient

Question 6

Which combination of precautions is specifically required for a patient with Clostridium difficile (C. diff) infection?

Accepted Answer

Soap-and-water handwashing and contact precautions

Answer

Alcohol-based hand rub and airborne precautions

Answer

Droplet precautions and N95 respirator

Answer

Standard precautions only with alcohol gel

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a component of the 'chain of infection'?

Accepted Answer

Treatment protocol

Answer

Infectious agent

Answer

Reservoir

Answer

Mode of transmission