Infection Control Flashcards

How should sharps (needles, scalpels) be disposed of after use?

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.

What is the correct order for donning (putting on) PPE?

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.

Which surface disinfectant is effective against C. difficile spores?

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.

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?

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.

What is 'surgical asepsis' versus 'medical asepsis'?

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.

When should a nurse change gloves during patient care?

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.