Infection Control and Patient Safety: cram pack

Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 6 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.

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1Formulas and methods

Infection control & patient safety

Method

  1. Start with standard precautions for every patient: hand hygiene, PPE for the expected exposure, safe sharps.
  2. Add precautions by route: contact (gown, gloves), droplet (surgical mask), airborne (N95, negative-pressure room).
  3. Keep sterile items sterile: if in doubt, it is not sterile; replace, never wipe.
  4. Prevent harm in the environment: fall measures, restraints only as a last resort, RACE and PASS for fire.
  5. Check the rights of medication administration, two identifiers and extra safeguards for high-alert drugs; report errors and near misses.

2Practice problems

1.Infection control & patient safetyMedium

A family member tells the nurse, “My father is not himself. Something is wrong.” The hospital has a family-activated rapid response system. What is correct?

  1. AThe family should call emergency services from outside the hospital
  2. BThe family can call the rapid response team if they are worried and staff have not responded
  3. CThe family must wait for the next scheduled ward round to raise the concern with a doctor
  4. DOnly doctors may call the rapid response team
2.Infection control & patient safetyHard

Which pairing of an organism with its transmission-based precautions is correct?

  1. AC. difficile – airborne
  2. BMumps – droplet
  3. CInfluenza – airborne only
  4. DMeasles – contact only
3.Nursing fundamentalsMedium

Why is early mobilisation important for older inpatients?

  1. AIt lets staff change the beds more easily while patients are up
  2. BWalking makes older patients' bones grow longer
  3. CBed rest quickly causes loss of strength and independence
  4. DOlder patients do not need sleep during the day
4.Nursing fundamentalsHard

A patient has been taught how to prevent constipation. Which statement shows a need for further teaching?

  1. A"I'll take a strong laxative every day just in case."
  2. B"I'll go to the toilet when I first feel the urge."
  3. C"I'll drink plenty of fluids during the day."
  4. D"I'll eat more fruit, vegetables and wholegrains."
5.MicrobiologyMedium

Which bacterium is the most common cause of stomach ulcers?

  1. AClostridioides difficile
  2. BHelicobacter pylori
  3. CStaphylococcus aureus
  4. DEscherichia coli
6.MicrobiologyHard

What is the key difference between bactericidal and bacteriostatic antibiotics?

  1. ABactericidal drugs work only outside the body
  2. BBactericidal drugs work only on viruses; bacteriostatic drugs work on bacteria
  3. CBacteriostatic drugs always work faster than bactericidal drugs
  4. DBactericidal drugs kill bacteria; bacteriostatic drugs stop growth and rely on the immune system to clear them

3Solutions

1.Infection control & patient safety

Answer: B · The family can call the rapid response team if they are worried and staff have not responded

Why this is the answer

Family-activated rapid response systems allow patients and families to call for help directly when they notice a worrying change. The nurse should also take the concern seriously and assess the patient.

Answer

B · The family can call the rapid response team if they are worried and staff have not responded
2.Infection control & patient safety

Answer: B · Mumps – droplet

Why this is the answer

Mumps spreads by respiratory droplets, so droplet precautions are used. Measles is airborne, C. difficile needs contact precautions, and influenza needs droplet precautions.

Answer

B · Mumps – droplet
3.Nursing fundamentals

Answer: C · Bed rest quickly causes loss of strength and independence

Why this is the answer

Older adults lose muscle strength quickly in bed, which leads to falls and loss of independence. Getting up, dressed and moving as soon as safe helps prevent this deconditioning.

Answer

C · Bed rest quickly causes loss of strength and independence
4.Nursing fundamentals

Answer: A · "I'll take a strong laxative every day just in case."

Why this is the answer

Fluids, fibre, activity and responding to the urge prevent constipation. Taking stimulant laxatives every day without need is not advised and can lead to dependence and electrolyte problems.

Answer

A · "I'll take a strong laxative every day just in case."
5.Microbiology

Answer: B · Helicobacter pylori

Why this is the answer

H. pylori colonises the stomach lining and produces urease to neutralise acid locally. It causes most peptic ulcers and is treated with antibiotics plus a PPI.

Answer

B · Helicobacter pylori
6.Microbiology

Answer: D · Bactericidal drugs kill bacteria; bacteriostatic drugs stop growth and rely on the immune system to clear them

Why this is the answer

Bacteriostatic drugs halt multiplication so host defences can eliminate the bacteria. Bactericidal drugs are preferred when defences are weak or hard to reach, such as in endocarditis or neutropenia.

Answer

D · Bactericidal drugs kill bacteria; bacteriostatic drugs stop growth and rely on the immune system to clear them

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