Infection Control Flashcards
7 cards from real RNC-NIC 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 flashcards as text
A NICU nurse notes that a neonate who was improving has developed recurrent temperature instability, abdominal distension, and bloody stools. The infant is on broad-spectrum antibiotics for EOS. What is the MOST likely complication?
Answer: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) developing despite antibiotic therapy
Recurrent deterioration with abdominal distension and bloody stools in a preterm neonate should raise immediate concern for NEC, which can develop independently of antibiotic therapy.
When transporting a neonate in Contact Precautions to radiology, what is the CORRECT procedure?
Answer: Ensure the neonate is covered with a clean sheet or blanket and notify receiving area in advance
Covering the neonate and pre-notifying the receiving area allows staff there to prepare appropriate precautions, preventing transmission along the transport route and at the destination.
A nurse washes their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds after caring for a neonate with suspected Clostridioides difficile infection. Why is soap and water preferred over alcohol-based hand rub for this pathogen?
Answer: Alcohol-based hand rubs do not effectively remove C. difficile spores, which require mechanical removal with soap and water
C. difficile forms spores that are not killed by alcohol; soap and water mechanically removes spores from the hands, making it the only effective hand hygiene method for this pathogen.
Which neonatal population has the HIGHEST risk for developing invasive group B Streptococcus (GBS) disease in the late-onset form (7-89 days of life)?
Answer: Preterm neonates born before 34 weeks, particularly those with prior hospitalization
Late-onset GBS disproportionately affects preterm neonates due to immature immune function, reduced maternal antibody transfer, and prolonged NICU exposure with potential nosocomial acquisition.
A NICU nurse is setting up a breast milk feeding for a neonate. The pumped human milk label shows it was pumped 5 days ago and stored in the NICU refrigerator. What action should the nurse take?
Answer: Discard the milk as it exceeds the recommended 4-day refrigerated storage limit and obtain a fresh supply
CDC and HMBANA guidelines recommend discarding refrigerated expressed breast milk after 4 days in the NICU setting; the milk should not be frozen after refrigerator storage limit is exceeded.
A neonate develops signs consistent with congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection including hepatosplenomegaly, petechiae, and microcephaly. Which precaution is MOST important when providing care?
Answer: Contact Precautions because CMV spreads via urine, saliva, and secretions through direct contact
CMV is transmitted through contact with infected secretions including urine, saliva, and blood; Contact Precautions plus Standard Precautions protect staff and prevent nosocomial spread.
During a shift, a NICU nurse cares for three neonates and uses alcohol-based hand rub between patients. One neonate is found to have active rotavirus infection. What is the MOST appropriate response?
Answer: Switch to soap and water handwashing for care of the infected neonate since alcohol is less effective against non-enveloped viruses like rotavirus
Rotavirus is a non-enveloped virus with reduced susceptibility to alcohol; soap and water handwashing with mechanical removal is more effective for this pathogen.