NMC OSCE Infection Prevention and Control 2

Question 1

What is the chain of infection, and why is understanding it important for infection prevention?

Accepted Answer

Infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, susceptible host — breaking any link prevents infection

Answer

A chain worn by infection control nurses for identification

Answer

The sequence of antibiotics used to treat infections

Answer

The order in which patients develop hospital-acquired infections

Question 2

A patient is colonised with MRSA. What is the difference between colonisation and infection, and what are the appropriate nursing actions?

Accepted Answer

Colonisation means MRSA is present but not causing illness; infection means it is causing clinical signs. Both require contact precautions, but only infection requires antibiotic treatment

Answer

There is no difference — both require immediate IV antibiotics

Answer

Colonisation is more serious than infection

Answer

Colonised patients do not need any special precautions

Question 3

What is the recommended procedure for decontaminating a blood spillage on a hard floor surface?

Accepted Answer

Apply chlorine-based disinfectant (10,000 ppm available chlorine) or granules to the spill, leave for the recommended contact time, then clean up wearing appropriate PPE

Answer

Mop it up with water immediately

Answer

Cover with paper towels and leave for the cleaning team

Answer

Spray with alcohol and wipe

Question 4

Norovirus has been identified on a hospital ward. What specific infection control measures should be implemented?

Accepted Answer

Close the ward to new admissions, isolate symptomatic patients, use soap and water hand hygiene, enhanced environmental cleaning with chlorine-based products, cohort nursing

Answer

Continue normal operations with standard precautions

Answer

Prescribe antibiotics to all patients on the ward

Answer

Transfer all patients to other wards immediately

Question 5

What are standard precautions in infection prevention and control, and when should they be applied?

Accepted Answer

A set of precautions applied to ALL patients at ALL times regardless of known infection status, including hand hygiene, PPE use, safe sharps management, and environmental cleaning

Answer

Precautions only applied when a patient has a known infection

Answer

Wearing gloves for all patient contact

Answer

Hand hygiene at the start and end of each shift only

Question 6

A patient has a urinary catheter in situ. What are the key nursing interventions to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI)?

Accepted Answer

Daily assessment of the need for the catheter, maintain a closed drainage system, keep the drainage bag below bladder level, perform meatal hygiene, ensure adequate fluid intake

Answer

Empty the drainage bag only when completely full

Answer

Routinely change the catheter every 3 days

Answer

Irrigate the catheter with antiseptic solution daily