Safety & Infection Control Flashcards

Using differential time to positivity, which result supports catheter-related bloodstream infection?

Answer: Catheter blood culture turns positive at least 2 hours before the peripheral culture

Growth from the catheter sample at least 2 hours earlier than the peripheral sample indicates the catheter is the source.

How often should a gauze dressing on a CVC be changed if it remains clean, dry, and intact?

Answer: Every 2 days

Gauze dressings are changed at least every 2 days, while transparent semipermeable membrane dressings are changed at least every 7 days.

When should a sharps container be replaced?

Answer: When it is about three-quarters full or at the fill line

Overfilled containers cause needlestick injuries, so they are sealed and replaced at the fill line or about three-quarters full.

A patient with active pulmonary tuberculosis needs a PICC. Which respiratory protection should the inserter wear?

Answer: Fit-tested N95 respirator or higher

Airborne precautions for TB require a fit-tested N95 or higher-level respirator.

Which item is part of maximal sterile barrier precautions for CVC and PICC insertion?

Answer: Cap, mask, sterile gown, sterile gloves, and full-body sterile drape

Maximal sterile barrier precautions include cap, mask, sterile gown, sterile gloves, and a large sterile drape covering the patient.

How soon after insertion can biofilm begin forming on an intravascular catheter?

Answer: Within about 24 hours of insertion

Biofilm can begin forming on catheter surfaces within hours to 24 hours after insertion, protecting organisms from antimicrobials.

After removing a nontunneled CVC, what dressing should be applied to the exit site?

Answer: Air-occlusive dressing left in place for at least 24 hours

An air-occlusive dressing for at least 24 hours prevents air entry through the skin-to-vein tract until it epithelializes.