PNC Safety & Infection Control 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A parish nurse discovers that a congregation member with MRSA has been sharing personal hygiene items with a roommate. Which teaching point is MOST critical?
- MRSA can only spread through blood-to-blood contact
- Personal items such as razors and towels should never be shared (Correct answer)
- Antibiotics taken by the infected person will protect the roommate
- The roommate only needs to worry if they have a visible wound
Correct answer: Personal items such as razors and towels should never be shared
MRSA spreads via direct contact with contaminated skin or shared personal items, so avoiding item sharing is essential.
Question 2: During a parish home visit, a nurse needs to dispose of a lancet used for a blood glucose check. The BEST action is to:
- Recap the lancet and place it in the regular trash
- Place the uncapped lancet directly into a portable sharps container (Correct answer)
- Wrap the lancet in a paper towel and seal with tape before trashing
- Return the lancet to the case for disposal at a later time
Correct answer: Place the uncapped lancet directly into a portable sharps container
Used sharps must be placed immediately and uncapped into an approved sharps container to prevent needlestick injuries.
Question 3: A congregation member asks the parish nurse about post-exposure prophylaxis after a potential HIV exposure. Which window is generally cited for initiating PEP to be most effective?
- Within 6 hours of exposure
- Within 72 hours of exposure (Correct answer)
- Within 7 days of exposure
- Within 30 days of exposure
Correct answer: Within 72 hours of exposure
PEP must be started within 72 hours of HIV exposure to have the best chance of preventing infection.
Question 4: Which cleaning method is MOST appropriate for spills of blood or body fluids on a hard surface in the church building?
- Wipe with plain water and allow to air dry
- Apply a 1:10 bleach solution after removing visible material with disposable paper towels (Correct answer)
- Sprinkle baking soda to absorb the fluid, then sweep
- Mop with a standard floor cleaner containing no disinfectant
Correct answer: Apply a 1:10 bleach solution after removing visible material with disposable paper towels
A 1:10 dilution of sodium hypochlorite (bleach) after initial absorption effectively decontaminates bloodborne-pathogen spills.
Question 5: A parish nurse is advising an immunocompromised parishioner on infection prevention at home. Which guidance is MOST appropriate?
- Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables entirely
- Maintain thorough hand hygiene, avoid crowds during peak illness seasons, and cook meats to safe temperatures (Correct answer)
- Wear gloves continuously throughout the day
- Limit hand washing to avoid skin breakdown that could introduce infection
Correct answer: Maintain thorough hand hygiene, avoid crowds during peak illness seasons, and cook meats to safe temperatures
Immunocompromised individuals benefit most from consistent hand hygiene, dietary safety, and avoiding high-risk infectious exposures.
Question 6: A parish nurse is performing a home safety assessment for an elderly parishioner. Which environmental hazard poses the GREATEST fall risk?
- A ceiling fan running on low speed
- Throw rugs on hardwood floors without non-slip backing (Correct answer)
- Wall-mounted grab bars in the bathroom
- Nightlights placed in hallways
Correct answer: Throw rugs on hardwood floors without non-slip backing
Unsecured throw rugs are a leading environmental cause of falls in older adults due to slipping and tripping.
Question 7: The parish nurse learns that a congregation member has been diagnosed with active shingles (herpes zoster). Which statement is correct regarding transmission risk?
- Shingles can be transmitted through airborne particles from a covered rash
- Direct contact with the fluid from active shingles blisters can spread varicella-zoster virus to unimmunized individuals (Correct answer)
- Shingles cannot be transmitted to others under any circumstances
- The shingles vaccine eliminates all risk of transmission
Correct answer: Direct contact with the fluid from active shingles blisters can spread varicella-zoster virus to unimmunized individuals
VZV from active shingles blisters can cause chickenpox in those who are not immune, making blister fluid the primary source of transmission.
PNC Safety & Infection Control 3
A parish nurse discovers that a congregation member with MRSA has been sharing personal hygiene items with a roommate.
Which teaching point is MOST critical?