Infection Control and Prevention Flashcards

A patient with confirmed active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is admitted to the ward. Which transmission-based precaution is required?

Answer: Airborne precautions with a negative pressure room and N95 respirator

Pulmonary TB is transmitted via airborne droplet nuclei that remain suspended in the air over long distances, requiring airborne precautions including a negative pressure room and N95 respirator.

When removing (doffing) PPE, what is the correct removal sequence to minimise self-contamination?

Answer: Gloves first, then eye protection, then gown, then mask last

Gloves are removed first as they are the most contaminated item, followed by eye protection, then gown, with the mask removed last and hand hygiene performed throughout the sequence.

According to WHO guidelines, how long should effective hand washing with soap and water take?

Answer: 40 to 60 seconds

WHO guidelines recommend that hand washing with soap and water should take 40 to 60 seconds to allow the six-step technique to effectively remove dirt, organic matter, and microorganisms from all hand surfaces.

In which clinical situation is an N95 respirator specifically required rather than a standard surgical mask?

Answer: Performing an aerosol-generating procedure on a patient with COVID-19

N95 respirators are required for aerosol-generating procedures as they filter at least 95% of airborne particles, providing protection against fine aerosolised infectious particles that a surgical mask cannot filter.

A nurse sustains a needlestick injury after administering an injection to a patient. What is the FIRST immediate action?

Answer: Wash the area thoroughly with soap and water immediately

The immediate first action following a needlestick injury is to wash the area thoroughly with soap and water to reduce the microbial load before formal incident reporting and post-exposure management are initiated.

What does Aseptic Non-Touch Technique (ANTT) aim to achieve in clinical nursing practice?

Answer: Preventing contamination of key parts and key sites during clinical procedures

ANTT is a clinical practice framework that standardises aseptic technique by identifying and protecting key parts (vulnerable components) and key sites (vulnerable patient access points) to prevent infection during procedures.

Which of the following best describes 'source isolation' in infection control practice?

Answer: Placing an infectious patient in a single room to prevent spread of infection to others

Source isolation involves placing a patient who is the source of infection into a single room to prevent transmission from that individual to other patients or staff in the healthcare environment.