NMC CBT NMC-CBT Infection Prevention and Control 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following best describes the 'chain of infection' concept?
- A cycle describing how patients acquire hospital-acquired infections only
- A sequential model of six links required for infection to spread from a source to a susceptible host (Correct answer)
- A checklist used for cleaning medical equipment
- A framework for antibiotic prescribing decisions
Correct answer: A sequential model of six links required for infection to spread from a source to a susceptible host
The chain of infection is a six-link sequential model: infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host.
Question 2: A patient with active pulmonary tuberculosis is admitted. Which type of room should be prioritised for their placement?
- A standard side room with the door open
- A negative-pressure isolation room (Correct answer)
- A positive-pressure isolation room
- A bay bed with curtains drawn
Correct answer: A negative-pressure isolation room
Pulmonary TB requires a negative-pressure isolation room to prevent airborne spread of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Question 3: When should a healthcare worker perform hand hygiene according to the WHO 'Five Moments'?
- Only before and after patient contact
- Before patient contact, before aseptic tasks, after body fluid exposure, after patient contact, and after touching patient surroundings (Correct answer)
- After every procedure regardless of glove use
- Before entering and after exiting any clinical area
Correct answer: Before patient contact, before aseptic tasks, after body fluid exposure, after patient contact, and after touching patient surroundings
WHO's Five Moments for Hand Hygiene specifies five distinct clinical moments requiring hand hygiene compliance.
Question 4: A non-touch technique (NTT) is used during wound dressing changes primarily to:
- Reduce procedure time
- Prevent the introduction of microorganisms into a susceptible site (Correct answer)
- Eliminate the need for gloves
- Ensure patient comfort
Correct answer: Prevent the introduction of microorganisms into a susceptible site
Non-touch technique prevents direct or indirect contact between non-sterile surfaces and the susceptible wound site.
Question 5: Which of the following is a recognised risk factor for developing a surgical site infection (SSI)?
- Receiving general rather than regional anaesthesia
- BMI within normal range
- Prolonged preoperative hospital stay (Correct answer)
- Elective rather than emergency surgery
Correct answer: Prolonged preoperative hospital stay
Prolonged preoperative hospital stay increases colonisation with nosocomial organisms, raising SSI risk.
Question 6: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is most commonly transmitted in healthcare settings via:
- Airborne droplet nuclei
- Contaminated water supplies
- Direct or indirect contact through healthcare workers' hands (Correct answer)
- Insect vectors
Correct answer: Direct or indirect contact through healthcare workers' hands
MRSA spreads predominantly via colonised or contaminated hands of healthcare workers touching patients or surfaces.
Question 7: After completing a dressing change, a nurse correctly disposes of used instruments into a yellow sharps container. The container is three-quarters full. What action should be taken?
- Continue filling the container until it is completely full
- Seal and label the container for collection and replace it with a new one (Correct answer)
- Transfer the instruments to a larger container
- Leave the container unsealed for the next shift
Correct answer: Seal and label the container for collection and replace it with a new one
Sharps containers must be sealed when three-quarters full to prevent needlestick injuries from overfilling.
NMC CBT NMC-CBT Infection Prevention and Control 3
Which of the following best describes the 'chain of infection' concept?