Infection Control and Safety Flashcards
7 cards from real NHA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Infection Control and Safety flashcards as text
Which disinfection level is required for semicritical medical instruments that contact intact mucous membranes?
Answer: High-level disinfection
Semicritical items such as endoscopes and laryngoscopes that contact intact mucous membranes require high-level disinfection, which destroys all microorganisms except high levels of bacterial spores.
What is the mechanism by which an autoclave sterilizes medical equipment?
Answer: Pressurized steam at high temperature (typically 121°C)
An autoclave sterilizes by exposing items to saturated steam under pressure (typically 121°C at 15 psi for 15–30 minutes), which denatures proteins and destroys all forms of microbial life including spores.
When should gloves be changed during care of a single patient?
Answer: When moving from a contaminated body site to a clean body site on the same patient
Gloves must be changed between tasks on the same patient when moving from a contaminated to a clean body site to prevent cross-contamination within the patient's own body.
What is the correct procedure for disposing of a used needle after drawing blood?
Answer: Place the uncapped needle immediately into a puncture-resistant sharps container
Used needles must be placed immediately — without recapping — into a puncture-resistant, leak-proof sharps container to prevent needlestick injuries and pathogen exposure.
Which PPE is minimally required when within 3–6 feet of a patient on droplet precautions?
Answer: Surgical mask worn over nose and mouth
Droplet precautions require wearing a surgical mask when within 3–6 feet of the patient because large respiratory droplets (>5 microns) do not remain airborne and fall quickly.
What is the key difference between sterilization and disinfection?
Answer: Sterilization destroys all microorganisms including spores; disinfection reduces but may not eliminate resistant spores
Sterilization destroys all forms of microbial life including highly resistant bacterial spores, whereas disinfection reduces microorganism levels but typically does not eliminate all spore forms.
What is the immediate first-aid action after a healthcare worker sustains a needlestick injury from a patient?
Answer: Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water, then report immediately
The immediate response to a needlestick is to wash the wound with soap and water (do not squeeze or apply caustic agents), followed by immediate reporting and post-exposure evaluation per facility protocol.