Infection Control and Prevention Flashcards
7 cards from real RN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Infection Control and Prevention flashcards as text
What is the single most effective method for preventing the spread of healthcare-associated infections?
Answer: Hand hygiene with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub
Hand hygiene is the single most effective measure for preventing transmission of pathogens in healthcare settings, as recommended by the CDC and WHO.
A nurse is assigned to care for a patient with active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Which type of isolation precautions must be implemented?
Answer: Airborne precautions with negative-pressure room and N95 respirator
TB is transmitted via airborne droplet nuclei (<5 microns) that remain suspended in air, requiring a negative-pressure room and an N95 respirator.
When donning PPE before entering a contact isolation room, which item should be put on first?
Answer: Gown
The gown is donned first because it covers the largest body surface area; gloves are applied last and pulled over the gown cuffs.
A patient is admitted with a Clostridium difficile (C. diff) infection. Which precautions should be initiated in addition to standard precautions?
Answer: Contact precautions
C. difficile spreads via the fecal-oral route through contact with spore-contaminated surfaces or hands, requiring contact precautions.
During a sterile dressing change, which action would break sterile technique?
Answer: Reaching over the sterile field to arrange supplies
Reaching over a sterile field contaminates it because unsterile clothing or arms pass directly above the field, allowing microorganism fallout.
Which patient has the highest risk for developing a healthcare-associated infection (HAI)?
Answer: A 70-year-old diabetic patient with an indwelling urinary catheter
The elderly diabetic patient with an indwelling catheter has multiple compounding HAI risk factors: advanced age, diabetes-related immunosuppression, and an invasive device.
When removing PPE after caring for a patient on contact precautions, what is the correct sequence?
Answer: Gloves, goggles or face shield, gown, mask or respirator
Per CDC guidelines, gloves (most contaminated) are removed first, followed by eye protection, then gown, with the mask removed last to minimize self-contamination.