RCFE Infection Control and Prevention 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the correct order for donning (putting on) PPE before entering an isolation room?
- Gloves, gown, mask, eye protection
- Gown, mask or respirator, eye protection, gloves (Correct answer)
- Mask, gloves, gown, eye protection
- Eye protection, gown, gloves, mask
Correct answer: Gown, mask or respirator, eye protection, gloves
The CDC-recommended sequence is gown first, then mask or respirator, eye protection, and gloves last so the outer layer protects underlying items.
Question 2: A resident is diagnosed with Clostridium difficile (C. diff). Which cleaning approach is most effective against C. diff spores?
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizer on hands and standard disinfectant on surfaces
- Soap and water handwashing; EPA-registered bleach solution on surfaces (Correct answer)
- Any commercial quaternary ammonium disinfectant on all surfaces
- Hydrogen peroxide wipes on all surfaces and hands
Correct answer: Soap and water handwashing; EPA-registered bleach solution on surfaces
C. diff spores are resistant to alcohol, so soap and water must be used for hand hygiene, while EPA-registered sporicidal bleach solutions are required on environmental surfaces.
Question 3: Which RCFE residents are at the HIGHEST risk for developing serious infections?
- Residents under age 65
- Residents who are physically active and ambulatory
- Residents with chronic conditions, compromised immunity, or open wounds (Correct answer)
- Residents who receive few visitors
Correct answer: Residents with chronic conditions, compromised immunity, or open wounds
Chronic diseases, immunosuppression, malnutrition, and open wounds significantly weaken the body's defenses, placing those residents at greatest infection risk.
Question 4: In RCFE infection control, what does 'cohorting' residents mean?
- Grouping residents by age and mobility level
- Housing residents with the same infection together to limit spread to others (Correct answer)
- Assigning specific staff members to specific floors permanently
- Scheduling group activities for small clusters of residents
Correct answer: Housing residents with the same infection together to limit spread to others
Cohorting involves grouping residents who have the same active infection and assigning dedicated staff to that group to limit pathogen spread to unaffected residents.
Question 5: When must an RCFE notify the local health department about infections among residents?
- After 30 or more consecutive days of elevated infection rates
- Only when a resident dies as a direct result of an infection
- Promptly upon identifying a suspected outbreak or a reportable communicable disease (Correct answer)
- Only at the time of the annual licensing inspection
Correct answer: Promptly upon identifying a suspected outbreak or a reportable communicable disease
California regulations require RCFEs to promptly report suspected outbreaks and reportable communicable diseases to the local health department to enable rapid public health response.
Question 6: An RCFE staff member sustains a needlestick injury. What is the FIRST action they should take?
- Immediately report the incident to the administrator
- Thoroughly wash the wound with soap and water (Correct answer)
- Apply a bandage and continue providing care
- Complete the required incident report form
Correct answer: Thoroughly wash the wound with soap and water
Immediate and thorough wound washing with soap and water is the first priority after a needlestick to reduce pathogen entry, before any reporting or documentation steps.
Question 7: Which statement best describes 'standard precautions' as applied in an RCFE?
- Precautions applied only to residents confirmed to have an active infection
- Measures applied to all residents regardless of known or suspected infection status (Correct answer)
- Procedures specific to handling hazardous chemicals and cleaning agents
- Rules that apply exclusively when administering medications
Correct answer: Measures applied to all residents regardless of known or suspected infection status
Standard precautions treat all blood, body fluids, and non-intact skin as potentially infectious and are applied universally to every resident, not just those with known diagnoses.
RCFE Infection Control and Prevention 2
What is the correct order for donning (putting on) PPE before entering an isolation room?