Infection Control & Prevention Flashcards

According to WHO infection control guidelines for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, which tissue is classified as HIGH infectivity?

Answer: Retina and optic nerve

WHO classifies brain, spinal cord, and eye (retina/optic nerve) as high-infectivity tissues, while CSF and several organs are low infectivity.

Which reprocessing method is considered effective for heat-resistant surgical instruments used on a patient with suspected CJD?

Answer: Prevacuum autoclaving at 134°C for 18 minutes

Prions resist conventional sterilization, but prolonged high-temperature autoclaving (134°C, 18 min) or combined NaOH plus autoclaving is effective.

Which precaution category is appropriate for routine bedside care of a hospitalized patient with sporadic CJD?

Answer: Standard precautions

CJD is not transmitted by casual contact, droplets, or air, so standard precautions suffice for routine care.

A CDC-recommended practice to prevent post-procedural bacterial meningitis during lumbar puncture is:

Answer: Wearing a surgical mask when placing the needle or injecting into the spinal space

Outbreaks of streptococcal meningitis from operators' oral flora led CDC to recommend face masks for spinal procedures.

A patient is admitted with Neisseria meningitidis meningitis. For how long should droplet precautions be maintained?

Answer: Until 24 hours after initiation of effective antibiotic therapy

Droplet precautions for meningococcal disease can be discontinued after 24 hours of effective antimicrobial therapy.

Which healthcare worker exposure to a patient with meningococcal meningitis warrants chemoprophylaxis?

Answer: Intubating the patient without wearing a mask

Prophylaxis is indicated only for intimate unprotected exposure to oral secretions, such as intubation, suctioning, or mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Which agent is an acceptable single-dose chemoprophylaxis option for an adult close contact of a meningococcal case in the US?

Answer: Oral ciprofloxacin

A single oral dose of ciprofloxacin (or IM ceftriaxone, or 2 days of rifampin) is recommended for meningococcal prophylaxis in adults.