NCMA Infection Control & Sterilization 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which hand hygiene method is most effective at eliminating bacterial spores such as Clostridioides difficile?
- Alcohol-based hand rub
- Soap and water handwashing (Correct answer)
- Antimicrobial foam
- Chlorhexidine wipe
Correct answer: Soap and water handwashing
Alcohol-based products do not kill C. difficile spores; soap and water mechanically removes them through friction and rinsing.
Question 2: Standard Precautions apply to which of the following?
- Only patients with known infectious diseases
- Blood and all body fluids except sweat (Correct answer)
- Patients in isolation rooms only
- Only when the patient has a fever
Correct answer: Blood and all body fluids except sweat
Standard Precautions apply to blood and all body fluids (except sweat), non-intact skin, and mucous membranes for all patients regardless of diagnosis.
Question 3: The correct order for donning (putting on) PPE is:
- Gown, mask, goggles, gloves (Correct answer)
- Gloves, gown, mask, goggles
- Mask, goggles, gown, gloves
- Goggles, gown, gloves, mask
Correct answer: Gown, mask, goggles, gloves
The CDC-recommended donning sequence is gown first, then mask/respirator, then goggles/face shield, then gloves last so gloves cover gown cuffs.
Question 4: Which level of disinfection destroys all microorganisms except high numbers of bacterial spores?
- Low-level disinfection
- Sterilization
- High-level disinfection (Correct answer)
- Intermediate-level disinfection
Correct answer: High-level disinfection
High-level disinfection eliminates all microorganisms except large numbers of spores and is required for semi-critical items that contact mucous membranes.
Question 5: A medical assistant accidentally contacts a patient's blood. The FIRST action to take is:
- Report the exposure to a supervisor
- Wash the area thoroughly with soap and water (Correct answer)
- Apply antiseptic to the wound
- Complete an incident report
Correct answer: Wash the area thoroughly with soap and water
Immediately washing the exposed area with soap and water is the first priority to reduce viral load before reporting or completing documentation.
Question 6: Which type of isolation precaution requires a patient to be placed in an airborne infection isolation room (AIIR)?
- Contact precautions
- Droplet precautions
- Airborne precautions (Correct answer)
- Standard precautions
Correct answer: Airborne precautions
Airborne precautions require a negative-pressure AIIR to contain pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and measles that travel on small airborne particles.
Question 7: Biohazard waste containers should be:
- Clear plastic bags labeled 'biohazard'
- Red or orange bags or rigid puncture-resistant containers (Correct answer)
- Any color as long as sealed tightly
- Green bags for easy identification
Correct answer: Red or orange bags or rigid puncture-resistant containers
OSHA requires biohazardous waste to be placed in red or orange color-coded bags or rigid sharps containers to alert handlers to the infectious hazard.
NCMA Infection Control & Sterilization 1
Which hand hygiene method is most effective at eliminating bacterial spores such as Clostridioides difficile?