SMQT - Surveyor Minimum Qualifications Infection Prevention and Control Questions and Answers

Question 1

A surveyor observes a staff member entering the room of a resident on contact precautions for MRSA without donning a gown or gloves. This practice is a significant breach of which fundamental infection control principle?

Accepted Answer

Transmission-Based Precautions

Answer

Transmission-Based Precautions (which include contact, droplet, and airborne precautions) are used in addition to Standard Precautions for residents with known or suspected infections. For MRSA, Contact Precautions are required, which includes wearing a gown and gloves for all interactions that may involve contact with the patient or their environment.

Question 2

The primary goal of an Antibiotic Stewardship Program in a long-term care facility, as required by 42 CFR §483.80, is to:

Accepted Answer

Promote the appropriate use of antimicrobials to combat resistance and improve resident outcomes.

Answer

The core purpose of an antibiotic stewardship program is to optimize the clinical outcomes of antimicrobial use while minimizing unintended consequences, such as the emergence of resistance and infections like C. difficile. The program focuses on ensuring antibiotics are prescribed only when necessary and that the correct drug, dose, and duration are chosen.

Question 3

A surveyor is reviewing the facility's response to an influenza outbreak. Which of the following interventions demonstrates correct implementation of Droplet Precautions?

Accepted Answer

Cohorting ill residents and having them wear a facemask when outside their room.

Answer

Droplet Precautions are used for infections spread by respiratory droplets, like influenza. Key interventions include placing patients in a private room or cohorting them (placing them in a room with other infected residents), and having the patient wear a mask when they must be transported outside the room to contain respiratory secretions.

Question 4

According to federal regulations, which of the following is a mandatory component of a facility's Infection Prevention and Control Program (IPCP)?

Accepted Answer

A system for preventing, identifying, reporting, investigating, and controlling infections and communicable diseases.

Answer

Federal regulation 42 CFR §483.80 explicitly requires that the IPCP must include, at a minimum, a system for preventing, identifying, reporting, investigating, and controlling infections and communicable diseases for everyone in the facility.

Question 5

A resident has been diagnosed with a Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection. For terminal cleaning of the resident's room after discharge, the surveyor should confirm that housekeeping staff use:

Accepted Answer

An EPA-registered sporicidal disinfectant.

Answer

C. difficile produces spores that are resistant to standard disinfectants and alcohol-based products. The CDC and EPA recommend using an EPA-registered disinfectant with a sporicidal claim (found on EPA List K) to effectively kill the spores on environmental surfaces.

SMQT - Surveyor Minimum Qualifications Test Practice Test

SMQT - Surveyor Minimum Qualifications Test Practice Test

SMQT - Surveyor Minimum Qualifications Infection Prevention and Control Questions and Answers