PCT Infection Control 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A PCT accidentally gets a needlestick injury. What is the FIRST action to take?
- Wash the site thoroughly with soap and water (Correct answer)
- Apply an alcohol swab to the puncture site
- Immediately report to the charge nurse or supervisor
- Squeeze the wound to expel blood
Correct answer: Wash the site thoroughly with soap and water
The first step is to wash the site with soap and water, followed by reporting the exposure per facility protocol.
Question 2: Droplet precautions are indicated for which of the following conditions?
- Influenza (Correct answer)
- Tuberculosis
- MRSA wound infection
- C. difficile diarrhea
Correct answer: Influenza
Influenza spreads via large respiratory droplets (>5 microns) that fall within about 3 feet, requiring droplet precautions.
Question 3: What does 'medical asepsis' mean in practice?
- Reducing the number and spread of microorganisms (clean technique) (Correct answer)
- Eliminating all microorganisms from an area (sterile technique)
- Using antibiotics to prevent infection before a procedure
- Placing all patients in isolation rooms
Correct answer: Reducing the number and spread of microorganisms (clean technique)
Medical asepsis, or clean technique, aims to reduce the number and spread of pathogens rather than achieving complete sterility.
Question 4: Which is an example of a vector-borne route of disease transmission?
- West Nile virus spread by mosquito bites (Correct answer)
- Influenza spread by coughing
- MRSA spread by touching a contaminated surface
- Hepatitis A spread via contaminated food
Correct answer: West Nile virus spread by mosquito bites
Vector-borne transmission occurs when a living organism (such as a mosquito) carries and transfers a pathogen to a host.
Question 5: A patient's room requires terminal cleaning after discharge. What does this mean?
- A thorough cleaning and disinfection of all surfaces, equipment, and furnishings in the room (Correct answer)
- A quick wipe-down of high-touch surfaces only
- Removing all linens and leaving the rest for housekeeping
- Ventilating the room for one hour before the next patient
Correct answer: A thorough cleaning and disinfection of all surfaces, equipment, and furnishings in the room
Terminal cleaning is a comprehensive process that disinfects every surface in a patient room after discharge to prevent pathogen transmission to the next occupant.
Question 6: Which hand hygiene product is NOT effective against C. difficile spores?
- Alcohol-based hand rub (Correct answer)
- Soap and water
- Chlorhexidine scrub
- Antimicrobial soap
Correct answer: Alcohol-based hand rub
Alcohol-based hand rubs do not kill C. difficile spores; soap and water is required to physically remove spores from hands.
Question 7: Standard precautions apply to:
- All patients regardless of diagnosis (Correct answer)
- Only patients with known infections
- Patients on isolation status only
- Immunocompromised patients only
Correct answer: All patients regardless of diagnosis
Standard precautions are used with every patient encounter because infectious status is not always known.
PCT Infection Control 3
A PCT accidentally gets a needlestick injury.
What is the FIRST action to take?