Deck 4: Principles of Infection Prevention and Control

Question 1

If you are caring for a patient who is suspected of having SARS, at what distance from the patient is it recommended to wear an effective filtration mask?

A) 6 ft
B) 10 ft
C) 12 ft
D) 15 ft

Answer 1

A
Explanation: Current HICPAC guidelines state it may be prudent to don a mask when within 6 ft of the patient or upon entry into the room of a patient who is on droplet isolation.

Question 2

Which of the following characteristics is false for iodophors as disinfectants?

A) Water soluble
B) Nonstaining
C) Less irritating to tissue
D) Bacteriostatic

Answer 2

D
Explanation: Unlike iodine tinctures, iodophors are water soluble, nonstaining, and less irritating to tissue. Iodophors are bactericidal, virucidal, and tuberculocidal.

Question 3

What should be used to wipe down the surface of devices that cannot be immersed in water?

A) 70% ethyl alcohol
B) Warm soapy water
C) Strong detergent
D) Bleach

Answer 3

A
Explanation: The surface of the device should be disinfected using a 70% ethyl alcohol solution or the equivalent.

Question 4

Which of the following statements is false regarding the use of glutaraldehyde?

A) It is a true sterilizing agent when used properly.
B) It can retain activity up to 90 days once activated.
C) It is used for disinfection on surfaces due to cost.
D) It can cause significant tissue inflammation in workers who use it.

Question 5

What is the most common, efficient, and easiest sterilization method?

A) ETO
B) Flash sterilization
C) Steam sterilization
D) Use of hydrochlorofluorocarbon

Question 6

Which of the following statements is NOT true regarding the use of soaps to clean equipment?

A) Soaps act by lowering the surface tension.
B) Soaps work poorly in hard water.
C) Soaps have good bactericidal activity.
D) Soaps can help remove organic material.

Question 7

Which of the following factors increase the risk of surgical patients for developing postoperative pneumonia?
1) Obesity
2) Prolonged intubation
3) History of smoking
4) Elderly

A)1 and 3 only
B)2 and 4 only
C)2, 3, and 4 only
D)1, 2, 3, and 4

Question 8

What is the most common route of pathogen transmission in the hospital setting?

A) Indirect contact
B) Droplet transmission
C) Airborne transmission
D) Surgical transmission

Question 9

Which of the following organisms is NOT destroyed by a disinfection agent?

A) Gram-negative cocci
B) Bacterial spores
C) Gram-positive rods
D) Viruses

Question 10

Approximately what percent of hospitalized patients develop a health care-associated infection?

A) 1%
B) 4%
C) 10%
D) 25%

Question 11

What techniques are used by most hospitals to reduce host susceptibility to infection?

A) Immunization
B) Blood testing
C) Surveillance
D) Having patients wear N95 mask

Question 12

What vaccination does OSHA require hospital employers to provide?

A) Tuberculosis
B) Smallpox
C) Hepatitis B
D) Streptococcus pneumoniae

Question 13

What is the first step in equipment processing for reuse on another patient?

A) Drying the equipment
B) Cleaning the equipment
C) Disinfecting the equipment
D) Sterilizing the equipment

Question 14

What is the recommended dilution level of bleach according to the CDC for cleaning up blood spills?

A) 1:1
B) 1:5
C) 1:10
D) 1:20

Question 15

Which of the following statements is false regarding the use of alcohol disinfectants?

A) Their activity drops when diluted below 50% concentration.
B) Alcohols are good for surface cleaning of stethoscope bells and diaphragms.
C) They can damage rubber tubing.
D) They are considered sporicidal.

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of indirect contact transmission involving fomites?

A) Use of a sterile needle on a pneumonia patient
B) Use of a dirty laryngoscope blade on another patient
C) Drinking tap water
D) Inhaling tuberculosis pathogens in the emergency department

Question 17

Which of the following is considered the primary source of infection in the health care setting?

A) Medical equipment
B) Humans
C) Food and water
D) Carpet

Question 18

Which of the following diseases are transmitted primarily by airborne transmission?
1) Tuberculosis
2) Measles
3) Smallpox
4) Viral hemorrhagic fever

A)1, 2, and 3 only
B)1 and 4 only
C)2, 3, and 4 only
D)1, 2, 3, and 4

Question 19

What solution should be used to disinfect the surfaces of the room of a patient who was infected with C. difficile?

A) 70% ethyl alcohol
B) 5.25% sodium hypochlorite
C) 1% sodium benzoate
D) 5% iodine solution

Question 20

How do endotracheal tubes increase the risk of infection?

A) By increasing bleeding risks
B) Providing surfaces for biofilms to develop
C) By reducing neutrophil effectiveness
D) By increasing mucociliary escalator clearance

Question 21

Which of the following are categories under Expanded Precautions?
1) Contact Precautions
2) Droplet Precautions
3) Standard Precautions
4) Airborne Infection Isolation

A)1 and 2 only
B)1, 2, and 4 only
C)2, 3, and 4 only
D)1, 2, 3, and 4

Question 22

Which of the following diseases travels through droplet mode?

A) Influenza
B) Rickettsia
C) Malaria
D) Lyme disease

Question 23

What is the minimum recommended time for handwashing in the health care environment?

A) 5 sec
B) 15 sec
C) 30 sec
D) 60 sec

Question 24

Which of the following statements is false regarding the use of ETO for sterilization?

A) It is harmless to rubber and plastics.
B) It will penetrate prewrapping.
C) Acute exposure is of little consequence.
D) It is useful for equipment that cannot be autoclaved.

Question 25

Which of the following organisms has/have been associated with health care-associated infections in patients using a poorly disinfected bronchoscope?
1) M. tuberculosis
2) Pseudomonas aeruginosa
3) Klebsiella

A)1 and 3 only
B)2 and 3only
C)2 only
D)1, 2, and 3

Question 26

The unit residence asked you to reduce the risk of contamination caused by condensation in the circuit of a mechanically ventilated patient. Which of the following would help to reduce or eliminate condensation in this patient's circuit?

A) Using a heat and moisture exchange (HME)
B) By draining the circuit on a daily basis
C) By not using any form of heater at all
D) By lowering the temperature in the heater

Question 27

Small volume nebulizers produce bacterial aerosols that have been commonly associated with which of the following diseases?

A) Pseudomonas aeruginosa
B) Measles
C) Small pox
D) Nosocomial pneumonia

Question 28

Which of the following is the most common source of patient infections?

A) Large volume nebulizers
B) Small volume nebulizers
C) Internal circuits of a ventilator
D) Oxygen therapy devices

Question 29

What is included in a Prevention Bundle?
1) The use of multiple evidence-based best practices to prevent device-related infection.
2) Recent research supports the use of cost-effective measurements.
3) An ongoing process of monitoring patients and personnel for the acquisition of infection in the health care setting.
4) Using prophylactic antibiotic therapy on all hospitalized patients.

A)1 and 2 only
B)1, 2, and 3 only
C)2, 3, and 4 only
D)1, 2, 3, and 4

Question 30

Which of the following steps for disinfection of a bronchoscope is false?

A) The first step is cleaning the scope.
B) Disinfection is done by immersion in a liquid disinfectant.
C) The device is stored lying flat to promote drying.
D) Drying techniques can include forced air.

Question 31

Which of the following statements is/are true regarding the use of disposable respiratory care equipment?
1) Recent research supports their use as a cost-effective measure.
2) Many quality issues exist.
3) Reusing the equipment is often done.

A)1 and 3 only
B)2 and 3only
C)2 only
D)1, 2, and 3

Question 32

Which of the following is the simplest level of infection control based on the recognition that all blood, body fluids, secretions, and excretions may contain transmissible infections agents?

A) Contact Precautions
B) Droplet Precautions
C) Standard Precautions
D) Airborne Infection Isolation

Question 33

What is the purpose of an inspiratory HEPA filter in a ventilator circuit?

A) The purpose is to serve as a heated thermistor that prevents condensation from forming in the circuits.
B) It prevents pathogens from being expelled into the surroundings.
C) When placed between the ventilator and the circuit, it can eliminate bacteria.
D) None of the above.

Question 34

Which of the following diseases is transmitted through direct contact?

A) HIV
B) Pertussis
C) Hepatitis B
D) Hepatitis C