Infection Control Flashcards
7 cards from real PCT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Infection Control flashcards as text
A patient has been placed on contact precautions. Which PPE must the PCT don before entering the room?
Answer: Gown and gloves
Contact precautions require a gown and gloves to prevent transmission via direct or indirect contact with the patient or environment.
Which type of isolation is required for a patient diagnosed with active tuberculosis (TB)?
Answer: Airborne precautions
Tuberculosis is transmitted via airborne particles (droplet nuclei <5 microns), requiring airborne precautions in a negative-pressure room.
When removing contaminated gloves, which technique prevents self-contamination?
Answer: Peel the first glove inside-out and use the bare hand to slide fingers under the second glove cuff
The standard gloving removal technique peels the first glove inside-out, then uses the gloved fingers of the opposite hand to slide under the cuff of the second glove.
Which pathogen is the most common cause of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in the United States?
Answer: Clostridioides difficile (C. diff)
C. difficile is currently the most common cause of HAIs in U.S. healthcare facilities, often associated with antibiotic use.
A PCT notices a coworker skip hand hygiene after removing gloves. The best response is to:
Answer: Politely remind the coworker that hand hygiene is required after glove removal
A peer-to-peer reminder is the recommended first step and supports a culture of safety without unnecessary escalation.
Which cleaning agent is recommended for disinfecting surfaces in a room occupied by a patient with C. difficile?
Answer: Hypochlorite (bleach) solution
C. difficile spores are resistant to alcohol and quaternary ammonium compounds; only sporicidal agents such as bleach are effective.
Which of the following actions breaks the chain of infection at the 'portal of entry' link?
Answer: Inserting a urinary catheter using sterile technique
Sterile technique during catheter insertion prevents microorganisms from entering the body through the urinary portal of entry.