Infection Control and Prevention Flashcards

Which of the following best defines a healthcare-associated infection (HAI)?

Answer: An infection occurring 48 hours or more after admission, or within 30 days post-procedure, not present on admission

HAIs are infections that develop 48 hours or more after hospital admission, or within a defined post-procedure period, that were not incubating or clinically present at the time of admission.

Which type of healthcare-associated infection is most common globally, including in New Zealand hospitals?

Answer: Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs)

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections are the most common type of HAI, accounting for approximately 30 to 40 percent of all healthcare-associated infections globally.

A nurse identifies that three patients on the ward have developed vomiting and diarrhoea within 24 hours. What is the FIRST action the nurse should take?

Answer: Report the situation to the infection control team and nurse manager

The first action when a cluster of cases suggests a potential outbreak is to report to the infection control team and nurse manager so a formal outbreak investigation can be initiated and a coordinated response planned.

What is the primary goal of an antimicrobial stewardship programme in a New Zealand hospital?

Answer: To optimise antimicrobial use to improve outcomes and minimise the development of resistance

Antimicrobial stewardship programmes aim to optimise antimicrobial prescribing practices to improve patient outcomes, reduce adverse effects, and minimise the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance.

A patient is found to be colonised with MRSA but has no signs or symptoms of active infection. Which statement about the nursing management is CORRECT?

Answer: Contact precautions should be applied; the patient may leave the room for necessary procedures with precautions maintained

MRSA-colonised patients require contact precautions, but can leave their room for necessary clinical procedures provided precautions are consistently maintained throughout the patient journey.

What is the primary purpose of conducting an infection control audit in a healthcare facility?

Answer: To systematically assess compliance with infection control practices and identify areas for improvement

Infection control audits systematically evaluate compliance with established practices to identify gaps, guide quality improvement initiatives, and promote a safety culture rather than to attribute individual blame.

The WHO 'Five Moments for Hand Hygiene' framework specifies when hand hygiene must be performed. Which of the following is NOT one of the five moments?

Answer: Before physically entering the patient's room

The WHO Five Moments are: before patient contact, before an aseptic task, after body fluid exposure risk, after patient contact, and after contact with patient surroundings — entering the room is not itself a defined moment.