PNC Safety & Infection Control 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A parish nurse is visiting a homebound parishioner with an open leg wound. Which action best demonstrates proper infection control during wound care?
- Reuse gloves between wound cleaning steps to conserve supplies
- Perform hand hygiene before and after glove use (Correct answer)
- Leave soiled dressings on the bedside table for later disposal
- Recap used needles before placing them in the sharps container
Correct answer: Perform hand hygiene before and after glove use
Hand hygiene before donning and after removing gloves is the cornerstone of infection prevention even when PPE is used.
Question 2: When counseling a congregation member about preventing the spread of seasonal influenza, which recommendation is MOST evidence-based?
- Avoid all physical activity until symptoms resolve
- Take prophylactic antibiotics at the first sign of illness
- Receive annual influenza vaccination each fall (Correct answer)
- Wear an N95 respirator whenever leaving the home
Correct answer: Receive annual influenza vaccination each fall
Annual influenza vaccination is the single most effective public-health strategy for reducing influenza transmission and complications.
Question 3: A parish nurse notices a congregation member has returned from international travel and presents with fever, rash, and conjunctivitis. The nurse suspects measles. What is the immediate priority action?
- Schedule a follow-up appointment for the following week
- Isolate the individual and notify the local health department (Correct answer)
- Administer an over-the-counter antihistamine to relieve symptoms
- Encourage the member to attend Sunday services to maintain community support
Correct answer: Isolate the individual and notify the local health department
Measles is a highly contagious reportable disease requiring immediate isolation and mandatory public-health notification.
Question 4: In the context of standard precautions, which body fluid does NOT routinely require protective barriers during contact?
- Blood
- Cerebrospinal fluid
- Sweat (Correct answer)
- Wound drainage
Correct answer: Sweat
Standard precautions do not require barriers for sweat, as it has not been shown to transmit bloodborne pathogens.
Question 5: A parish nurse is setting up a blood-pressure screening booth at a health fair. Between participants, she should PRIMARILY:
- Change the blood pressure cuff after every third person
- Wipe the cuff and stethoscope with an EPA-approved disinfectant wipe (Correct answer)
- Soak equipment in bleach solution for 10 minutes
- Replace disposable cuffs only if visibly soiled
Correct answer: Wipe the cuff and stethoscope with an EPA-approved disinfectant wipe
Wiping shared equipment with EPA-approved disinfectant between uses prevents contact transmission without damaging the devices.
Question 6: Which isolation category is appropriate for a parishioner hospitalized with confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis?
- Contact precautions only
- Droplet precautions with a surgical mask for visitors
- Airborne precautions in a negative-pressure room (Correct answer)
- Protective (reverse) isolation
Correct answer: Airborne precautions in a negative-pressure room
Pulmonary TB is transmitted via airborne droplet nuclei and requires negative-pressure airborne isolation to prevent spread.
Question 7: A parish nurse is educating volunteers about safe food handling at a church potluck. Which temperature range is considered the 'danger zone' for bacterial growth in food?
- 0°F to 32°F (−18°C to 0°C)
- 32°F to 41°F (0°C to 5°C)
- 40°F to 140°F (4°C to 60°C) (Correct answer)
- 140°F to 165°F (60°C to 74°C)
Correct answer: 40°F to 140°F (4°C to 60°C)
The USDA defines the food danger zone as 40°F–140°F (4°C–60°C), where bacteria multiply most rapidly.
PNC Safety & Infection Control 2
A parish nurse is visiting a homebound parishioner with an open leg wound.
Which action best demonstrates proper infection control during wound care?