Infection Control and Prevention Flashcards

Which of the following is the MOST effective strategy to prevent health care-associated infections (HAIs) at the community health facility level?

Answer: Consistent hand hygiene compliance by all health care workers

Hand hygiene compliance is the single most effective, evidence-based strategy for preventing health care-associated infections across all settings.

A community nurse identifies a cluster of influenza cases in a school. The FIRST public health action should be:

Answer: Report the cluster to the local health department and implement influenza prevention measures

Reporting infectious disease clusters to the local health department is a mandatory public health duty, initiating official investigation and coordinated response.

Which epidemiological concept describes the minimum proportion of a population that must be immune to prevent ongoing disease transmission?

Answer: Herd immunity threshold

The herd immunity threshold is the proportion of a population that must be immune (through vaccination or prior infection) to prevent sustained disease transmission.

A community health nurse is providing education about Lyme disease prevention in an endemic area. Which protective measure is MOST effective?

Answer: Using EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET and conducting daily tick checks

DEET-based repellents and daily tick checks after outdoor exposure are the most effective primary prevention strategies for Lyme disease in endemic regions.

Under which circumstances should a community health nurse implement droplet precautions?

Answer: For patients with influenza, meningococcal meningitis, or pertussis

Droplet precautions are used for infections spread by large respiratory droplets (>5 microns), including influenza, bacterial meningitis, and pertussis.

A community nurse is counseling a patient who was exposed to hepatitis B through a needle stick. Which post-exposure prophylaxis is recommended for an unvaccinated individual?

Answer: Hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) plus initiation of the hepatitis B vaccine series within 24 hours

Unvaccinated individuals exposed to hepatitis B should receive HBIG for immediate passive immunity plus start the hepatitis B vaccine series within 24 hours of exposure.