MRCPsych Safety and Infection Control 3

Question 1

A psychiatrist is assessing a detained patient who becomes acutely agitated. Which de-escalation strategy should be attempted BEFORE physical restraint?

Accepted Answer

Use verbal de-escalation, offer choices, and reduce environmental stimulation

Answer

NICE guidelines recommend verbal de-escalation techniques including calm communication, offering choices, and reducing stimuli before considering physical or pharmacological interventions.

Question 2

A staff nurse on an acute psychiatric ward is found to have active pulmonary tuberculosis. What is the MOST appropriate immediate action by the ward manager?

Accepted Answer

Remove the nurse from clinical duties and refer to occupational health for assessment and contact tracing

Answer

A healthcare worker with active pulmonary TB must be removed from clinical duties immediately, with occupational health leading assessment and contact tracing of exposed patients and staff.

Question 3

Under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 2013, which of the following events on a psychiatric ward MUST be reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)?

Accepted Answer

A member of staff sustaining a fracture requiring hospital admission after a patient assault

Answer

Under RIDDOR, work-related fractures and injuries requiring hospital admission sustained by employees must be reported to the HSE.

Question 4

A patient on an acute psychiatric ward is found to have scabies. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate infection control response?

Accepted Answer

Treat the patient with topical permethrin and notify close contacts for assessment and prophylactic treatment

Answer

Scabies management requires treating the index case with permethrin and identifying close contacts for assessment and treatment to prevent ward outbreak.

Question 5

Which organisation in England is primarily responsible for receiving notifications of specific infectious diseases from clinicians under the Health Protection Regulations 2010?

Accepted Answer

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) via the local health protection team

Answer

Clinicians must notify the local health protection team (part of UKHSA) when they identify a notifiable disease under the Health Protection Regulations 2010.

(MRCPsych) Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Practice Test

(MRCPsych) Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Practice Test

MRCPsych Safety and Infection Control 3