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

Why should a child’s weight be recorded only in kilograms?

  1. AMixing up pounds and kilograms can lead to large dosing errors
  2. BKilograms are easier for parents to remember
  3. CChildren weigh less, so smaller units are needed
  4. DScales that show kilograms are always more accurate than those that show pounds
2.Infection control & patient safetyHard

A nurse teaches a patient with neutropenia about preventing infection at home. Which statement shows a need for further teaching?

  1. A“I will wash my hands often and ask visitors to do the same.”
  2. B“I will avoid crowds and people who have colds.”
  3. C“I can clean the cat’s litter box if I wear a face mask.”
  4. D“I will check my temperature and call if I have a fever.”
3.Nursing fundamentalsMedium

What is the main purpose of a wound drain after surgery?

  1. ATo keep the wound edges apart until it heals
  2. BTo give antibiotics directly into the wound until it has fully healed
  3. CTo measure the temperature inside the wound
  4. DTo remove fluid or blood that could collect and delay healing
4.Nursing fundamentalsHard

A competent adult who is a Jehovah's Witness refuses a blood transfusion that the team believes is needed. Which two ethical principles are in conflict?

  1. AAutonomy and beneficence
  2. BFidelity and justice
  3. CVeracity and non-maleficence
  4. DJustice and veracity
5.MicrobiologyMedium

Toxoplasma gondii is a risk in pregnancy. Which advice reduces exposure?

  1. AAvoid cleaning cat litter and avoid undercooked meat
  2. BAvoid all fruit and vegetables
  3. CAvoid swimming pools and all other public bathing areas
  4. DAvoid contact with dogs
6.MicrobiologyHard

Gram-positive cocci are found. Which test quickly separates staphylococci from streptococci?

  1. AThe catalase test
  2. BGrowth on MacConkey agar
  3. CThe coagulase test
  4. DThe acid-fast stain

3Solutions

1.Infection control & patient safety

Answer: A · Mixing up pounds and kilograms can lead to large dosing errors

Why this is the answer

Pediatric doses are often calculated per kilogram. A weight recorded in pounds but read as kilograms gives a dose more than twice as high, so weight is recorded and used only in kilograms.

Answer

A · Mixing up pounds and kilograms can lead to large dosing errors
2.Infection control & patient safety

Answer: C · “I can clean the cat’s litter box if I wear a face mask.”

Why this is the answer

Immunocompromised patients should avoid cleaning litter boxes and other animal waste, because of organisms such as Toxoplasma. Another person should do it. The other statements are correct.

Answer

C · “I can clean the cat’s litter box if I wear a face mask.”
3.Nursing fundamentals

Answer: D · To remove fluid or blood that could collect and delay healing

Why this is the answer

Drains let blood, serous fluid or pus escape, preventing collections such as seromas and haematomas. The nurse records the amount and type of drainage.

Answer

D · To remove fluid or blood that could collect and delay healing
4.Nursing fundamentals

Answer: A · Autonomy and beneficence

Why this is the answer

The patient's right to decide (autonomy) conflicts with the team's wish to do good (beneficence). A valid refusal by a competent adult is respected, and alternatives to blood are explored.

Answer

A · Autonomy and beneficence
5.Microbiology

Answer: A · Avoid cleaning cat litter and avoid undercooked meat

Why this is the answer

Toxoplasma oocysts are shed in cat faeces and cysts are found in undercooked meat. Infection during pregnancy can damage the fetal brain and eyes.

Answer

A · Avoid cleaning cat litter and avoid undercooked meat
6.Microbiology

Answer: A · The catalase test

Why this is the answer

Staphylococci produce catalase, which breaks hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen bubbles; streptococci do not. The coagulase test is then used to identify S. aureus among staphylococci.

Answer

A · The catalase test

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