Infection Control and Hand Hygiene Flashcards

Why is it important to avoid touching the inside of a medication cup when pouring liquid medications?

Answer: To avoid introducing pathogens from the hand into a medication that will be consumed

Touching the inside of a medication cup can transfer hand pathogens directly into the medication, which the resident will then ingest, creating an infection risk.

What infection control practice should be followed when handling multi-dose medication vials?

Answer: Wipe the rubber stopper with a fresh alcohol swab before each access

The rubber stopper of a multi-dose vial must be disinfected with a fresh alcohol swab before each access to prevent introduction of contaminants into the vial.

A QMAP observes redness and drainage at a resident's medication patch application site. What is the appropriate infection control and reporting action?

Answer: Remove the old patch, clean the site, and report the observed signs to the supervising nurse immediately

Signs of local infection at a patch site require the QMAP to remove the old patch, clean the area, and promptly report to a supervising nurse for clinical assessment.

Single-dose (unit-dose) medication packaging supports infection control primarily because it:

Answer: Reduces the risk of cross-contamination by providing a sterile, sealed package for each dose

Unit-dose packaging keeps each dose in a sealed, sterile environment until the moment of administration, minimizing the risk of contamination from handling or environmental exposure.

How should used medication cups and disposable medication supplies be disposed of after a medication pass to support infection control?

Answer: Place them in the regular trash, away from clean supplies

Used single-use medication cups and disposable supplies should be placed in the trash and kept separate from clean supplies to prevent contamination of the medication preparation area.

A resident develops a fever shortly after receiving a medication administered via a feeding tube. Which infection control question should the QMAP consider when reporting this event?

Answer: Was the feeding tube flushed with sterile or appropriate water, and was proper technique used during administration?

Fever after enteral medication administration may indicate infection introduced during the procedure; the QMAP should evaluate whether sterile flush water and aseptic technique were used.

Which of the following best describes why QMAPs must follow facility infection control policies during every medication administration, not just when residents are known to be infected?

Answer: Many infections are asymptomatic or in early stages and not yet diagnosed, making consistent practice essential

Many residents may carry or transmit pathogens without visible symptoms, so consistent infection control practices during every medication administration protect all residents and staff.