PCU Infection Control & Safety Flashcards

A PCU patient is placed on contact precautions for MRSA. Which PPE should the nurse don before entering the room?

Answer: Gown and gloves

Contact precautions require a gown and gloves; an N95 respirator is not required unless aerosol-generating procedures are performed.

Which hand hygiene technique is most effective against Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) spores in the PCU?

Answer: Soap and water handwashing for at least 20 seconds

C. diff forms spores that are not killed by alcohol-based sanitizers; soap and water handwashing physically removes spores and is required.

A PCU patient develops fever, hypotension, and tachycardia 48 hours after central line insertion. Which intervention is the nurse's priority?

Answer: Obtain blood cultures and notify the physician immediately

Signs of central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) require prompt blood cultures and physician notification to initiate timely antibiotics and line evaluation.

Which practice is part of the central line insertion bundle to prevent CLABSI in the PCU?

Answer: Performing hand hygiene and using maximal sterile barrier precautions

The CLABSI prevention bundle includes hand hygiene, maximal sterile barrier precautions, chlorhexidine skin antisepsis, optimal site selection, and daily necessity review.

A PCU nurse is caring for a patient on airborne precautions for tuberculosis. Which mask must the nurse wear when entering the room?

Answer: N95 respirator that has been fit-tested

Airborne precautions require a fit-tested N95 respirator (or higher) to filter the small airborne droplet nuclei that transmit tuberculosis.

Which action by a PCU nurse best demonstrates correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE)?

Answer: Removing PPE outside the patient's room using a defined sequence

PPE should be removed outside or at the doorway using the correct doff sequence (gloves first, then gown, then mask/respirator) to prevent self-contamination.