NMC OSCE Infection Prevention & Control 2

Question 1

A nurse is removing PPE after caring for a patient with norovirus. What is the correct order for doffing (removing) PPE?

Accepted Answer

Gloves, apron, eye protection, mask

Answer

The correct doffing sequence to minimise self-contamination is: gloves first (most contaminated), then apron/gown, then eye protection, then mask last (least likely to be contaminated on outside). Perform hand hygiene between each step.

Question 2

What is the term for the practice of caring for patients with the same infective organism together in a bay?

Accepted Answer

Cohort nursing

Answer

Cohort nursing involves grouping patients infected or colonised with the same organism (e.g., norovirus, MRSA) in the same area, staffed by a dedicated team. It is used when single rooms are insufficient for individual isolation.

Question 3

An aseptic non-touch technique (ANTT) is being performed for urinary catheter insertion. What is the key principle of ANTT?

Accepted Answer

Never touching key parts or key sites

Answer

The key principle of ANTT is never directly touching key parts (e.g., catheter tip, syringe nozzle) or key sites (e.g., catheter insertion point). Non-touch technique protects critical components from microbial contamination even if the environment is not fully sterile.

Question 4

Which of the following correctly describes a 'clean' technique as distinct from an 'aseptic' technique?

Accepted Answer

Clean technique aims to reduce pathogen introduction; aseptic technique aims to prevent all microorganism introduction

Answer

Aseptic technique aims to prevent any microorganisms from reaching a susceptible site, used for invasive procedures like catheter insertion. Clean technique aims to reduce microbial introduction but accepts some degree of contamination, used for less invasive procedures like chronic wound dressing.

Question 5

A healthcare worker sustains a needlestick injury from a known HIV-positive patient. What is the first action?

Accepted Answer

Encourage bleeding, wash with soap and water, report to occupational health

Answer

The immediate response to needlestick injury is to encourage bleeding from the wound (do not suck), wash thoroughly with soap and water (not scrubbing), and report immediately to occupational health or the emergency department for risk assessment and PEP (if indicated within 72 hours).

NMC OSCE Practice Test

NMC OSCE Practice Test

NMC OSCE Infection Prevention & Control 2