CRNI Infection Prevention and Control Questions and Answers

Question 1

A nurse is preparing to administer an intermittent IV antibiotic through a needleless connector on a patient's central venous catheter. Which action is most critical for preventing intraluminal contamination?

Accepted Answer

Vigorously scrubbing the connector's surface with an appropriate antiseptic agent for a specified duration.

Answer

The "scrub the hub" practice is a cornerstone of CLABSI prevention. Evidence demonstrates that vigorous mechanical scrubbing of the needleless connector's access surface with an appropriate antiseptic (e.g., 70% alcohol, chlorhexidine) for a prescribed time (typically 5-15 seconds) is essential to remove microorganisms and prevent them from being flushed into the bloodstream during access.

Question 2

According to the Infusion Nurses Society (INS) Standards of Practice, what is the recommended maximum time an administration set used for primary intermittent infusion of a non-lipid, non-blood solution should be used?

Accepted Answer

24 hours

Answer

The INS Standards of Practice recommend that administration sets used for intermittent infusions be changed every 24 hours. This is because the set is repeatedly disconnected and reconnected, which increases the risk of contamination compared to a continuously infusing, closed system.

Question 3

A CRNI is preparing to insert a non-tunneled central venous catheter at the bedside. Which of the following lists all the essential components of maximal barrier precautions required to prevent a central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI)?

Accepted Answer

A cap, mask, sterile gown, sterile gloves for the inserter, and a large sterile drape covering the patient.

Answer

Maximal barrier precautions are a key component of the CLABSI prevention bundle for central line insertion. This requires the inserter to wear a cap, mask, sterile gown, and sterile gloves, and to use a large sterile drape that covers the patient's body to create the largest possible sterile field and minimize exposure to airborne contaminants.

Question 4

When preparing a patient's skin for the insertion of a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC), the CRNI uses a >0.5% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) with alcohol applicator. What is the most important procedural step after applying the antiseptic?

Accepted Answer

Allowing the site to air dry completely before puncturing the skin.

Answer

For chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) to be effective, it must be allowed to air dry completely before the skin is punctured. This contact time is critical for the agent to achieve its maximum antimicrobial effect. Wiping, fanning, or blotting the solution can remove the agent prematurely and/or contaminate the prepared site.

Question 5

After accessing a multi-dose vial for the first time in a patient care area, what is the correct infection control practice for labeling the vial?

Accepted Answer

Label with the date opened and the beyond-use date.

Answer

To prevent the use of contaminated or expired medications, all multi-dose vials must be labeled with the date they were first opened and a beyond-use date (BUD). According to the CDC, the BUD is typically 28 days unless the manufacturer specifies otherwise. This ensures the vial is discarded before its sterility is compromised.

CRNI Exam Practice Test

CRNI Exam Practice Test

CRNI Infection Prevention and Control Questions and Answers