Deck 20: Infection Control

Question 1

The process used to wash and remove blood and tissue from medical instruments is called

A) asepsis.
B) disinfection.
C) sanitization.
D) sterilization.

Answer 1

sanitization.

Question 2

What are the two important factors in performing an effective hand wash?

A) Friction and running warm water
B) Antibacterial soap and hot water
C) Length of time spent and type of soap
D) Position of the hands and temperature of the water

Answer 2

Friction and running warm water

Question 3

A 62-year-old patient with shingles is seen in the office. The physician would classify this disease as

A) a chronic infection.
B) the prodromal period of the infection.
C) a latent infection.
D) the acute onset of a varicella infection.

Answer 3

a latent infection.

Question 4

Cell-mediated immunity

A) causes destruction of pathogens at the site of infection.
B) results in the production of antibodies.
C) is stimulated by the presence of an antigen.
D) creates immunity to disease.

Question 5

Items contaminated with any of the following potentially infectious materials require special handling

A) body fluid visibly contaminated with blood.
B) vaginal and seminal secretions.
C) wound drainage.
D) all of the above.

Question 6

The immune system response that is identified as humoral immunity is

A) cellular immune reactions.
B) production of antibodies in response to a foreign substance in the body.
C) the inflammatory process.
D) natural protection against disease.

Question 7

The key to reducing the prevalence of antibiotic resistance is to

A) prescribe antibiotics for all cases of the flu.
B) order antibiotics for a minimum of 2 days.
C) limit the use of antibiotics to one that is specific to the pathogen.
D) All of the above

Question 8

Rosa is responsible for training a new employee in medical aseptic hand washing. Which of the following should Rosa emphasize?

A) Using hot, running water
B) Carefully washing around all rings
C) Using an adequate amount of soap and rubbing in a circular motion around all fingers
D) Carefully drying the hands with a sterile disposable drape

Question 9

Relapse and remission are seen frequently in what types of infections?

A) Chronic infections
B) Latent infections
C) Infections with rapid onset
D) Infections that cause fever

Question 10

The safest method to achieve adequate sanitization is to

A) use an ultrasonic sanitizer bath.
B) wear disposable exam gloves during a procedure.
C) soak sharp and blunt instruments together.

Question 11

Which of the following procedures is appropriate for preparing blood and other potentially infectious materials for transport?

A) Decontaminating the hazardous waste container
B) Freezing the materials before transport
C) Relabeling containers provided for waste
D) Placing the materials in a leakproof container during collection
E) Washing the container with household detergent

Question 12

Before disposing of a contaminated needle into a sharps container, the medical assistant should

A) carefully recap the needle.
B) bend the needle so it cannot be used again.
C) disconnect the needle from the syringe.
D) None of the above

Question 13

The most important step in achieving hand asepsis is

A) removing jewelry.
B) rinsing with alcohol.
C) using surgical soap.
D) wearing gloves.

Question 14

On the basis of your understanding of the chain of infection, what would be the most effective method of controlling the spread of conjunctivitis in a day care center?

A) Conjunctivitis is not contagious.
B) Close the day care center until all children are symptom-free.
C) Sanitize hands thoroughly after each contact with a symptomatic child.
D) Immediately send the child home to prevent the spread of the disease.

Question 15

Viral infections

A) are treated effectively with antibiotics.
B) include malaria and gonorrhea.
C) are treated with a focus on palliative care.
D) may form spores.

Question 16

Which of the following is not a major area that must be covered in the medical facility's Exposure Control Plan required by OSHA?

A) List of potentially dangerous tasks performed by facility employees
B) Specific steps for providing effective patient treatment
C) Procedures for treating employees who come in contact with infectious materials
D) Safety procedures to reduce employee exposure to blood-borne pathogens

Question 17

Macrophage action occurs with

A) a systemic reaction to an antigen.
B) trapping of foreign substances in mucous membranes.
C) protection created by the body's resident bacteria.
D) cell-mediated immunity.

Question 18

Inflammation mediators that are released at the site of cellular damage perform which of the following functions?

A) Increase blood flow to the site.
B) Increase the permeability of blood vessel walls.
C) Cause more RBCs to be attracted to the site of injury.
D) Both A and B.
E) All are correct.

Question 19

The method that completely destroys microorganisms is

A) disinfection.
B) sterilization.
C) sanitization.
D) boiling.
E) furnigation.

Question 20

What should not be done when sanitizing an instrument?

A) Wear latex gloves when cleaning sharp instruments.
B) Use a separate work area to avoid cross-contamination.
C) Prevent coagulation of blood on instruments.
D) Separate sharp and blunt instruments.

Question 21

Which of the following CDC recommendations is NOT considered adequate hand hygiene?

A) Wash visibly soiled hands for a minimum of 15 seconds
B) Artificial nails no longer than inch
C) Alcohol hand rubs
D) Natural nail tips no longer that inch

Question 22

Which of the following terms defines the destruction of disease-causing organisms after they leave the body?

A) Asepsis
B) Medical asepsis
C) Surgical asepsis
D) Compromised asepsis

Question 23

A(n) __________ agent is a medication that relieves a patient's symptoms but does not cure a disease.

Question 24

In the normal state, which of the following are free of all living microorganisms?

A) Skin
B) Mouth
C) Internal body organs
D) Medical equipment

Question 25

What is considered the second link in the chain of infection?

A) Infectious agent
B) Reservoir
C) Susceptible host
D) Portal

Question 26

A(n) __________ is an infection that is acquired in a healthcare setting and is often caused by failure to follow Standard Precautions in the facility.

Question 27

The __________ route of administration is the injection or introduction of substances into the body by means other than through the digestive tract.

Question 28

Which of the following terms is associated with the process of killing pathogenic organisms or of rendering them inactive?

A) Sanitization
B) Ultrasonic sanitization
C) Disinfection
D) Sterilization

Question 29

A(n) __________ is an insect or tick that transmits the causative organisms of a disease.

Question 30

Adequate infection control procedures include all of the following except

A) intermittent hand washing.
B) proper use of antiseptics.
C) effective disinfection.
D) sterilization.

Question 31

A(n) __________ is a foreign substance that results in the production of a specific antibody.

Question 32

Which of the following substances protects nearby cells from viral invasion?

A) Antiviral protein
B) Interferon
C) Intracellular parasites
D) Viral proteins

Question 33

Direct transmission occurs through which of the following?

A) Discharges from an infected person
B) Droplets in the air expelled by coughing
C) Contaminated food or drink
D) Contact with contaminated objects

Question 34

Which of the following microorganisms are large, obligate parasites that can be viewed with a microscope?

A) Bacteria
B) Virus
C) Rickettsiae
D) Fungi
E) Protozoa

Question 35

According to the CDC, proper hand hygiene must be performed in all the following instances except

A) before and after contact with the patient.
B) before performing an aseptic task.
C) after contact with blood, body fluids, or contaminated surfaces.
D) when hands move from a clean body site to a contaminated body site during patient care.

Question 36

Which of the following diseases are caused by a virus?

A) Tuberculosis
B) Giardiasis
C) Herpes
D) Pneumonia

Question 37

Any disease caused by the growth of pathogenic microorganisms in the body falls into the category of

A) hereditary.
B) autoimmune.
C) communicable.
D) infectious.

Question 38

What is the first step that should be taken after exposure to contaminated waste?

A) Wash or flush the exposed area
B) Report immediately to the supervisor
C) Receive a medical evaluation
D) File an incident report

Question 39

What should be done if the eyes are exposed to potentially infectious bodily fluids?

A) Administer antibiotic drops to the eyes as quickly as possible.
B) Flush the eyes with warm water as soon as possible.
C) Have the physician examine the eyes for potential infection.

Question 40

Which of the following is an example of cell-mediated immunity?

A) Production of antibodies
B) Phagocytosis
C) Intact integumentary system
D) Inflammatory response

Question 41

Hands do have to be sanitized even if the healthcare worker conscientiously uses gloves during all possible times of exposure.

Question 42

Sam Anderson, a 28-year-old patient, calls the office and asks Rosa how he would be able to tell if his wound is getting infected. Based on your understanding of the inflammatory response, how should Rosa answer this question? Include in your answer the four classic symptoms of inflammation.

Question 43

Pyemia is a condition marked by infectious microorganisms in the patient's urine.

Question 44

An antiseptic is an agent that can be used on the skin to inhibit the growth of microorganisms.

Question 45

Rosa is assisting with a procedure and has an accidental exposure of potentially infectious mucous in her right eye. What should Rosa do?

Question 46

Describe the difference between cell-mediated and humoral immunity.

Question 47

A germicide is an agent that destroys pathogenic microorganisms.

Question 48

__________ are surface bacteria introduced by contaminated objects or by exposure to microorganisms; they can be destroyed if managed properly.

Question 49

Alcohol hand rubs, when used properly, are as effective at reducing the incidence of nosocomial infections.

Question 50

Employees must provide their own alternative to latex gloves if they show signs of latex anaphylaxis.

Question 51

A(n) __________ is a contaminated object, such as an improperly sterilized instrument, that causes the transmission of a disease.

Question 52

Rosa is responsible for administering the hepatitis B vaccine to a new employee. Describe the immunization schedule for this vaccine.

Question 53

Relapse is the disappearance of the clinical symptoms of disease.

Question 54

__________ infections persist for a long time.

Question 55

An example of a vector is a tick that transmits disease.

Question 56

As a medical assistant, it is important that you understand the inflammatory response. Describe the step-by-step process that occurs with an inflammatory reaction.

Question 57

An example of parenteral administration of a medication is a subcutaneous injection.

Question 58

Employers must provide employees with hepatitis B immunizations free of charge within 10 days of the start of employment.

Question 59

A 14-year-old patient is diagnosed with strep throat. Applying your understanding of the chain of infection, how can Rosa prevent the spread of the infection to herself and others?

Question 60

Fungal infections are also called __________ infections.

Question 61

A palliative treatment is designed to cure a particular disease.

Question 62

Healthcare workers who wear artificial fingernails have no greater risk of transmitting infectious diseases as long as they perform adequate hand washing.

Question 63

HIV is transmitted by blood that splatters onto intact skin or mucous membranes.

Question 64

The medical term for hives is rhinitis.

Question 65

A patient who is in remission has a disease but is not showing symptoms at the time.

Question 66

Most pathogens prefer dry, hot environments for growth and multiplication.

Question 67

Most pathogenic microorganisms prefer a neutral pH for optimum growth.

Question 68

Spore structures protect viral cells from immune system action.

Question 69

Anaphylaxis is a serious systemic response to an allergic substance.

Question 70

Interferon is a naturally occurring protein that helps protect cells from viral invasion.

Question 71

The most effective treatment for viral infections is palliative in nature.

Question 72

The CDC recognizes the use of alcohol-based hand rubs as an adequate replacement for traditional hand washing.

Question 73

If a blood vessel is permeable, it is protected from the transfer of substances from the outside environment.

Question 74

If a medical assistant performs medical aseptic hand washing or hand sanitization routinely, he or she does not have to wear disposable gloves when sanitizing contaminated surfaces.

Question 75

Reservoir hosts who are unaware of their ability to spread an infectious disease are identified as carriers.

Question 76

The presence of adequate amounts of oxygen is one of the keys for the spread of anaerobic microorganisms.

Question 77

If the eyes come in contact with body fluids, continuously flush the eyes with water as soon as possible for a minimum of 5 minutes using an eye wash unit.

Question 78

An antiseptic is used to cleanse the patient's skin before a surgical procedure.