Infection Prevention and Control Flashcards

Which topical antimicrobial agent is MOST appropriate for a heavily contaminated wound with suspected Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection?

Answer: Silver-containing dressing

Silver-containing dressings have broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other gram-negative organisms, making them appropriate for contaminated wounds.

Which of the following antiseptics is generally considered cytotoxic to fibroblasts and should be avoided in granulating wounds?

Answer: Povidone-iodine solution (10%)

Full-strength povidone-iodine (10%) is cytotoxic to fibroblasts and keratinocytes, impeding wound healing; it should not be used on granulating wounds.

A patient with a diabetic foot ulcer develops fever, leukocytosis, and red streaking proximal to the wound. These findings are most consistent with:

Answer: Cellulitis with possible spreading infection

Systemic signs (fever, leukocytosis) combined with erythema spreading from the wound margin indicate cellulitis with a spreading soft-tissue infection requiring prompt systemic antibiotic therapy.

Standard precautions require that personal protective equipment (PPE) be used:

Answer: When there is potential contact with blood, body fluids, mucous membranes, or non-intact skin

Standard precautions apply universally whenever contact with blood, body fluids, mucous membranes, or non-intact skin is possible, regardless of a patient's known infection status.

Which characteristic of wound exudate is MOST suggestive of a gram-negative bacterial infection?

Answer: Thin, green-blue exudate with a sweet fruity odor

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a common gram-negative wound pathogen, characteristically produces thin, blue-green exudate with a distinctive sweet, grape-like or fruity odor.

In managing biofilm in a chronic wound, which combination approach is considered MOST effective?

Answer: Regular debridement combined with topical antimicrobials

Biofilm cannot be eradicated by antibiotics alone; regular debridement to disrupt the matrix combined with topical antimicrobials is the evidence-based standard for biofilm management.

Which of the following represents the correct order of donning PPE before entering a contact precaution room?

Answer: Gown → Mask → Eye protection → Gloves

CDC guidelines recommend donning PPE in the order: gown first, then mask/respirator, then eye protection, and finally gloves last so that gloves cover the gown cuffs.