STNA Infection Control and Safety 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the single most important action a nurse aide can take to prevent the spread of infection?
- Wearing a gown at all times
- Proper handwashing (Correct answer)
- Using sterile gloves for every task
- Isolating all patients
Correct answer: Proper handwashing
Proper handwashing with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub is the most effective method to interrupt the chain of infection.
Question 2: When should gloves be changed during patient care?
- Only after leaving the patient's room
- Between tasks when moving from a contaminated to a clean body site on the same patient (Correct answer)
- Once per shift regardless of tasks performed
- Only when visibly soiled
Correct answer: Between tasks when moving from a contaminated to a clean body site on the same patient
Changing gloves between tasks on the same patient prevents transferring microorganisms from a contaminated to a clean site.
Question 3: A nurse aide enters the room of a patient on contact precautions. Which PPE must be worn before touching the patient?
- Gloves only
- Gown and gloves (Correct answer)
- Mask and gloves
- Gown, gloves, and N95 respirator
Correct answer: Gown and gloves
Contact precautions require a gown and gloves to prevent transmission of organisms spread through direct or indirect contact.
Question 4: Which item should be placed in a biohazard bag?
- An unused meal tray
- Soiled linens with blood (Correct answer)
- An empty medication cup
- A used paper towel from handwashing
Correct answer: Soiled linens with blood
Linens contaminated with blood are considered biohazardous waste and must be placed in clearly marked biohazard bags for proper disposal.
Question 5: How long should the nurse aide scrub hands when performing routine hand hygiene with soap and water?
- At least 20 seconds (Correct answer)
- 5–10 seconds
- At least 60 seconds
- Until the water runs clear
Correct answer: At least 20 seconds
The CDC recommends scrubbing all surfaces of the hands for at least 20 seconds to effectively remove transient microorganisms.
Question 6: After removing contaminated gloves, the nurse aide must:
- Wipe hands with a cloth and reglove
- Perform hand hygiene immediately (Correct answer)
- Apply hand lotion before touching anything
- Put on a new pair of gloves immediately without washing
Correct answer: Perform hand hygiene immediately
Gloves are not a substitute for hand hygiene; hands must be washed immediately after glove removal because gloves can have microscopic perforations.
STNA Infection Control and Safety 1
What is the single most important action a nurse aide can take to prevent the spread of infection?