NHI Safety and Infection Control 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is an example of a fomite in the healthcare setting?
- Airborne droplet nuclei
- A stethoscope carrying bacteria between patients (Correct answer)
- A cough from an infected patient
- Contaminated food in the cafeteria
Correct answer: A stethoscope carrying bacteria between patients
A fomite is an inanimate object that can carry and transfer infectious agents, and stethoscopes are a classic example in clinical environments.
Question 2: Standard precautions apply to which of the following?
- Only patients with known infections
- All blood, body fluids, and non-intact skin regardless of diagnosis (Correct answer)
- Only patients in isolation rooms
- Only surgical procedures
Correct answer: All blood, body fluids, and non-intact skin regardless of diagnosis
Standard precautions are applied universally to all patients to reduce transmission risk regardless of known or suspected infection status.
Question 3: What does the term 'chain of infection' refer to?
- The hierarchy of infection control personnel
- The sequence of elements required for disease transmission to occur (Correct answer)
- The order in which antibiotics are administered
- The protocol for reporting infectious diseases
Correct answer: The sequence of elements required for disease transmission to occur
The chain of infection describes six links — infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host — that must all be present for infection to spread.
Question 4: Which hand hygiene method is preferred when hands are visibly soiled with blood or body fluids?
- Alcohol-based hand rub
- Soap and water (Correct answer)
- Antiseptic wipes
- Waterless foam
Correct answer: Soap and water
Soap and water must be used when hands are visibly soiled because alcohol-based products do not physically remove organic material.
Question 5: A patient is placed on droplet precautions. At what distance from the patient must a surgical mask be worn?
- 1 foot
- 2 feet
- 3 feet (Correct answer)
- 6 feet
Correct answer: 3 feet
Droplet precautions require a surgical mask when working within 3 feet (approximately 1 meter) of the patient, as droplets do not travel far.
Question 6: Which federal agency establishes bloodborne pathogen standards to protect healthcare workers?
- CDC
- FDA
- OSHA (Correct answer)
- CMS
Correct answer: OSHA
OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) mandates exposure control plans, PPE, and hepatitis B vaccination for at-risk workers.
Question 7: How long should an alcohol-based hand rub be rubbed into the hands before it is considered effective?
- Until hands are dry (approximately 15–20 seconds) (Correct answer)
- 5 seconds
- 60 seconds
- Until a lather forms
Correct answer: Until hands are dry (approximately 15–20 seconds)
The CDC recommends rubbing alcohol-based hand rub until hands are completely dry, which takes approximately 15–20 seconds and ensures adequate contact time.
NHI Safety and Infection Control 3
Which of the following is an example of a fomite in the healthcare setting?