PCT Infection Control 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An N95 respirator is required for which type of transmission-based precaution?
- Airborne precautions (Correct answer)
- Droplet precautions
- Contact precautions
- Standard precautions
Correct answer: Airborne precautions
Airborne precautions require an N95 or higher respirator because pathogens travel on small particles that can penetrate surgical masks.
Question 2: Which of the following is considered a fomite in the transmission of infection?
- A contaminated blood pressure cuff (Correct answer)
- A mosquito that carries malaria
- Droplets expelled during sneezing
- The patient's own skin flora
Correct answer: A contaminated blood pressure cuff
A fomite is an inanimate object (such as medical equipment) that becomes contaminated and can transfer pathogens to a susceptible host.
Question 3: Which of the following patients is at the HIGHEST risk for developing a healthcare-associated infection (HAI)?
- A patient with an indwelling urinary catheter for 5 days (Correct answer)
- A patient admitted for observation following a minor fall
- A healthy post-surgical patient with no invasive lines
- A patient receiving oral medications only
Correct answer: A patient with an indwelling urinary catheter for 5 days
Indwelling urinary catheters are the leading cause of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), and risk increases with duration of catheterization.
Question 4: What is the correct order of donning (putting on) PPE?
- Gown, mask, eye protection, gloves (Correct answer)
- Gloves, gown, mask, eye protection
- Mask, gloves, gown, eye protection
- Eye protection, gloves, mask, gown
Correct answer: Gown, mask, eye protection, gloves
The CDC recommends donning in the order: gown first, then mask/respirator, eye protection, and gloves last so gloves cover the gown cuffs.
Question 5: A PCT is caring for a patient with scabies. Which precaution type is most appropriate?
- Contact precautions (Correct answer)
- Droplet precautions
- Airborne precautions
- Standard precautions only
Correct answer: Contact precautions
Scabies is caused by a skin mite transmitted through prolonged skin-to-skin contact, requiring contact precautions.
Question 6: How long should the PCT wash hands with soap and water to effectively remove transient microorganisms?
- At least 20 seconds (Correct answer)
- At least 5 seconds
- At least 60 seconds
- At least 10 seconds
Correct answer: At least 20 seconds
The CDC recommends washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (about the time it takes to sing 'Happy Birthday' twice) for effective pathogen removal.
Question 7: Which of the following is an endogenous source of infection?
- The patient's own intestinal bacteria entering the bloodstream (Correct answer)
- A contaminated IV bag administered to the patient
- Pathogens transmitted from a visitor
- Airborne droplet nuclei from another patient
Correct answer: The patient's own intestinal bacteria entering the bloodstream
Endogenous infections arise from the patient's own normal flora that enter a new body site (e.g., gut bacteria entering the bloodstream).
PCT Infection Control 4
An N95 respirator is required for which type of transmission-based precaution?