SNLE Infection Control 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How should sharps (needles, scalpels) be disposed of after use?
- Immediately in a puncture-resistant sharps container without recapping (Correct answer)
- Recap the needle before disposal
- Dispose in regular trash bag
- Leave on the tray for someone else to collect
Correct answer: Immediately in a puncture-resistant sharps container without recapping
Sharps must be placed immediately in a designated puncture-resistant, leak-proof sharps container. Never recap needles (recapping is the most common cause of needlestick injuries). Never leave sharps on trays or in open containers.
Question 2: What is the correct order for donning (putting on) PPE?
- Gown, mask/respirator, eye protection, gloves (Correct answer)
- Gloves, gown, mask, eye protection
- Mask, gloves, gown, eye protection
- Eye protection, gloves, mask, gown
Correct answer: Gown, mask/respirator, eye protection, gloves
CDC recommended donning order: 1) Gown (protects clothing), 2) Mask/respirator (protects airway), 3) Eye protection (protects mucous membranes), 4) Gloves (protect hands and seal gown cuffs). This sequence minimizes self-contamination during application.
Question 3: Which surface disinfectant is effective against C. difficile spores?
- Hypochlorite (bleach) solution (Correct answer)
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Quaternary ammonium compounds
- Iodine-based disinfectants
Correct answer: Hypochlorite (bleach) solution
C. difficile spores are extremely resistant. The CDC recommends EPA-registered sporicidal disinfectants, primarily diluted sodium hypochlorite (bleach, 1:10 dilution), for environmental cleaning in rooms of C. difficile patients. Alcohol and quaternary ammonium compounds are ineffective against spores.
Question 4: A nurse enters a patient's room and notices the patient is coughing with blood-tinged sputum and has not been put on isolation. What should the nurse do?
- Initiate airborne precautions immediately, put on N95 mask, and notify the physician and infection control (Correct answer)
- Continue care with standard precautions only
- Simply open the window
- Wait for blood culture results before taking action
Correct answer: Initiate airborne precautions immediately, put on N95 mask, and notify the physician and infection control
Hemoptysis with respiratory symptoms raises the concern of active pulmonary TB or other airborne pathogen. Precautions should be initiated based on clinical suspicion rather than waiting for culture results. Early isolation prevents nosocomial transmission.
Question 5: What is 'surgical asepsis' versus 'medical asepsis'?
- Surgical asepsis means completely sterile technique; medical asepsis reduces microbial numbers to safe levels (clean technique) (Correct answer)
- They are interchangeable terms
- Medical asepsis is more stringent than surgical asepsis
- Surgical asepsis only applies in the operating room
Correct answer: Surgical asepsis means completely sterile technique; medical asepsis reduces microbial numbers to safe levels (clean technique)
Medical asepsis (clean technique) reduces microbial count and prevents spread (handwashing, clean environment). Surgical asepsis (sterile technique) aims to eliminate all microorganisms from objects and areas. Surgical asepsis is required for invasive procedures, wound care, and any entry into sterile body cavities.
Question 6: When should a nurse change gloves during patient care?
- Between different body sites on the same patient, between tasks with different contamination risk, and between patients (Correct answer)
- Only when gloves are visibly torn
- Once per shift
- Only when touching bodily fluids
Correct answer: Between different body sites on the same patient, between tasks with different contamination risk, and between patients
Gloves must be changed: when moving from a contaminated body site to a clean one on the same patient, between different care tasks with different contamination levels, and always between patients. Gloves are not a substitute for hand hygiene.
SNLE Infection Control 2
How should sharps (needles, scalpels) be disposed of after use?