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.

New problemsBack to the course

In the print window, choose “Save as PDF” to keep a copy on your device.

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

Which practice is safe when transferring a patient from a bed to a stretcher?

  1. ALeave the stretcher wheels unlocked so it can move with the patient
  2. BHave the patient slide across without help or a slide sheet
  3. CLower the stretcher side rails during transport
  4. DLock the wheels of both the bed and the stretcher before moving the patient
2.Infection control & patient safetyHard

A patient’s WBC is 4,000/mm3, with 30% neutrophils and 5% bands. What is the absolute neutrophil count (ANC)?

  1. A140/mm3
  2. B1,400/mm3
  3. C1,200/mm3
  4. D3,500/mm3
3.Nursing fundamentalsMedium

A catheterised patient has had no urine in the bag for two hours. What should the nurse check first?

  1. AWhether the patient has eaten or drunk anything recently
  2. BThe patient's blood glucose level and recent insulin doses
  3. CThe tubing for kinks or blockage and where the bag is
  4. DNothing, as two hours without urine is normal
4.Nursing fundamentalsHard

A patient has a temperature of 38.7 °C and a white cell count of 18 × 10⁹/L (18,000/mm³). What do these findings most suggest?

  1. AA low risk of infection because the count is high
  2. BA normal post-meal result
  3. CDehydration only
  4. DAn infection or significant inflammation
5.MicrobiologyMedium

In the lysogenic cycle of a bacteriophage, what happens to the phage DNA?

  1. AIt is immediately used to make new phages that burst the cell
  2. BIt leaves the cell through the pilus
  3. CIt is integrated into the bacterial chromosome as a prophage
  4. DIt is destroyed by the bacterium
6.MicrobiologyHard

A traveller returns from sub-Saharan Africa with fever. Malaria is suspected. Which species is most likely to cause severe and cerebral malaria?

  1. APlasmodium malariae
  2. BPlasmodium vivax
  3. CPlasmodium ovale
  4. DPlasmodium falciparum

3Solutions

1.Infection control & patient safety

Answer: D · Lock the wheels of both the bed and the stretcher before moving the patient

Why this is the answer

Both surfaces are locked and at the same height before the transfer, a slide sheet is used and enough staff help. Side rails are raised on the stretcher during transport.

Answer

D · Lock the wheels of both the bed and the stretcher before moving the patient
2.Infection control & patient safety

Answer: B · 1,400/mm3

Why this is the answer

ANC = 4,000 × (0.30 + 0.05) = 1,400/mm3. This is below normal (neutropenia), so the patient has a raised risk of infection.

Answer

B · 1,400/mm3
3.Nursing fundamentals

Answer: C · The tubing for kinks or blockage and where the bag is

Why this is the answer

Kinked or trapped tubing, a bag above bladder level or a blocked catheter are common causes. If these are fine, the patient is assessed for low output and the doctor informed.

Answer

C · The tubing for kinks or blockage and where the bag is
4.Nursing fundamentals

Answer: D · An infection or significant inflammation

Why this is the answer

A raised white cell count with fever usually means the body is fighting an infection or major inflammation. The nurse reports it and looks for the source, including sepsis.

Answer

D · An infection or significant inflammation
5.Microbiology

Answer: C · It is integrated into the bacterial chromosome as a prophage

Why this is the answer

In lysogeny the phage genome integrates into the host chromosome and is copied with it. Later it may switch to the lytic cycle, making new phages and lysing the cell.

Answer

C · It is integrated into the bacterial chromosome as a prophage
6.Microbiology

Answer: D · Plasmodium falciparum

Why this is the answer

P. falciparum causes very high parasite levels and makes infected red cells stick in small vessels, including in the brain. It is common in sub-Saharan Africa and is a medical emergency.

Answer

D · Plasmodium falciparum

ExamProblems · examproblems.com/courses/infection-control-and-patient-safety