RCFE Infection Control and Prevention 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the single most effective method to prevent the spread of infections in an RCFE?
- Regular use of antibiotics among staff
- Frequent and proper handwashing (Correct answer)
- Wearing gloves at all times
- Keeping residents isolated in their rooms
Correct answer: Frequent and proper handwashing
Proper handwashing remains the most effective measure to prevent transmission of infectious agents in care settings, according to the CDC.
Question 2: What is the CDC-recommended minimum duration for effective handwashing?
- 5 seconds
- 10 seconds
- 20 seconds (Correct answer)
- 60 seconds
Correct answer: 20 seconds
The CDC recommends scrubbing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to effectively remove pathogens.
Question 3: When are RCFE staff required to use gloves during resident care?
- Only during medication administration
- When potential contact with blood, body fluids, or mucous membranes is anticipated (Correct answer)
- Only when a resident has a confirmed diagnosis
- At all times when entering any resident room
Correct answer: When potential contact with blood, body fluids, or mucous membranes is anticipated
Standard precautions require gloves whenever contact with blood, body fluids, mucous membranes, or non-intact skin is anticipated, regardless of a resident's known status.
Question 4: A resident in an RCFE is diagnosed with active tuberculosis (TB). Which type of isolation precaution is required?
- Contact precautions
- Droplet precautions
- Airborne precautions (Correct answer)
- Standard precautions only
Correct answer: Airborne precautions
TB is transmitted via airborne particles that remain suspended in the air, requiring airborne precautions including N95 respirators and proper ventilation.
Question 5: Which of the following is the correct procedure for disposing of used sharps in an RCFE?
- Recap needles carefully and place in regular trash
- Place directly into a puncture-resistant sharps container (Correct answer)
- Wrap in paper towels and place in a biohazard bag
- Return to the medication room for processing
Correct answer: Place directly into a puncture-resistant sharps container
Used sharps must be immediately placed in a designated puncture-resistant sharps container to prevent needlestick injuries and exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
Question 6: RCFE staff who develop symptoms of a contagious illness should:
- Continue working but wear a surgical mask
- Notify a supervisor and refrain from working until medically cleared (Correct answer)
- Work only with residents who are in private rooms
- Take over-the-counter medication and complete their shift
Correct answer: Notify a supervisor and refrain from working until medically cleared
Staff with symptoms of contagious illness must notify their supervisor and stay home to protect vulnerable elderly residents from exposure.
Question 7: What is the most important purpose of maintaining an infection control log in an RCFE?
- To satisfy insurance documentation requirements
- To track infection patterns, identify outbreaks, and guide preventive measures (Correct answer)
- To record individual staff sick days
- To satisfy family member requests for information
Correct answer: To track infection patterns, identify outbreaks, and guide preventive measures
Infection control logs help identify trends and emerging outbreaks, enabling timely intervention to protect residents and staff before an outbreak worsens.
