PCU Infection Control & Safety Flashcards

A PCU patient who is a fall risk attempts to get out of bed without assistance. Which intervention is most appropriate as a first response?

Answer: Redirect the patient verbally and reassess fall-prevention measures

Verbal redirection and reassessment of fall-prevention interventions (bed alarm, room arrangement, scheduled rounding) are the first appropriate response before considering restraints.

Which patient is at HIGHEST risk for a hospital-acquired pressure injury in the PCU?

Answer: A 72-year-old patient on vasopressors, incontinent, and immobile

Advanced age, vasopressor use (reducing perfusion), incontinence (skin maceration), and immobility all combine to place this patient at the highest risk for pressure injury.

A PCU patient has an indwelling urinary catheter. Which nursing action best prevents catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI)?

Answer: Perform daily assessment of continued catheter necessity

Daily review and prompt removal of unnecessary urinary catheters is the single most effective intervention for CAUTI prevention.

Which disinfection level is required for PCU equipment that contacts only intact skin (e.g., blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes)?

Answer: Low-level disinfection

Non-critical items that contact only intact skin require low-level disinfection between patients using an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant.

A PCU nurse notices a colleague not performing hand hygiene before entering a patient room. What is the most appropriate action?

Answer: Remind the colleague about hand hygiene in a respectful, professional manner

A respectful peer-to-peer reminder is the most appropriate, immediate, and effective first intervention for hand hygiene non-compliance.

A PCU patient on broad-spectrum antibiotics for 7 days develops watery diarrhea with abdominal cramping. Which organism is most likely responsible?

Answer: Clostridioides difficile

Antibiotic-associated diarrhea after prolonged broad-spectrum antibiotic use is most commonly caused by C. difficile overgrowth following disruption of normal gut flora.