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

Which IV fluid can be given with packed red blood cells in the same line?

  1. A0.9% sodium chloride
  2. BLactated Ringer’s (Hartmann’s) solution
  3. C5% dextrose in water
  4. D5% dextrose in 0.45% sodium chloride
2.Infection control & patient safetyHard

A nurse teaches parents about firearm safety at home. Which statement shows a need for further teaching?

  1. A“We keep all the ammunition locked away separately from the gun.”
  2. B“We will ask other parents about guns before play dates.”
  3. C“We keep the gun loaded in the nightstand, and the children know not to touch it.”
  4. D“We store the gun unloaded in a locked safe in the bedroom.”
3.Nursing fundamentalsMedium

A patient speaks little English. Who should interpret during an important consent discussion?

  1. AA professional medical interpreter
  2. BAny staff member who knows a few words of the language
  3. CA visitor in the next bed
  4. DThe patient's young child
4.Nursing fundamentalsHard

An 82-year-old takes nine regular medicines and has had two falls this month. What is the most useful next step?

  1. AAdvise the patient to stay in bed
  2. BStop all the medicines straight away
  3. CAsk for a full medication review
  4. DAdd a sedative to help them rest
5.MicrobiologyMedium

Which bacterium causes whooping cough (pertussis)?

  1. AHaemophilus influenzae
  2. BBordetella pertussis
  3. CMycoplasma pneumoniae
  4. DCorynebacterium diphtheriae
6.MicrobiologyHard

Why is Chlamydia trachomatis usually diagnosed with nucleic acid amplification tests instead of routine culture on agar?

  1. AIt dies immediately in the presence of oxygen
  2. BIt is an obligate intracellular bacterium that cannot grow on ordinary media
  3. CIt is too large to grow on agar plates
  4. DIt is a virus and has no DNA

3Solutions

1.Infection control & patient safety

Answer: A · 0.9% sodium chloride

Why this is the answer

Only 0.9% sodium chloride is compatible with blood. Dextrose (glucose) solutions can cause red cells to clump and break down, and the calcium in lactated Ringer’s (Hartmann’s) can cause clotting.

Answer

A · 0.9% sodium chloride
2.Infection control & patient safety

Answer: C · “We keep the gun loaded in the nightstand, and the children know not to touch it.”

Why this is the answer

Firearms in homes with children should be stored unloaded and locked, with ammunition stored separately and locked. Telling children not to touch a gun does not reliably prevent injuries.

Answer

C · “We keep the gun loaded in the nightstand, and the children know not to touch it.”
3.Nursing fundamentals

Answer: A · A professional medical interpreter

Why this is the answer

Professional interpreters translate accurately and keep confidentiality. Family members, especially children, may leave things out, add their own views or be burdened by the information.

Answer

A · A professional medical interpreter
4.Nursing fundamentals

Answer: C · Ask for a full medication review

Why this is the answer

Polypharmacy increases the risk of falls, side effects and interactions in older adults. A review by the prescriber or pharmacist can stop or adjust medicines safely.

Answer

C · Ask for a full medication review
5.Microbiology

Answer: B · Bordetella pertussis

Why this is the answer

Bordetella pertussis causes long coughing fits with a "whoop". It is most dangerous for young babies, which is why vaccination in pregnancy is offered in many countries.

Answer

B · Bordetella pertussis
6.Microbiology

Answer: B · It is an obligate intracellular bacterium that cannot grow on ordinary media

Why this is the answer

Chlamydia replicates only inside host cells, so it cannot be grown on agar. NAATs such as PCR on urine or swabs are sensitive and are the standard diagnostic test.

Answer

B · It is an obligate intracellular bacterium that cannot grow on ordinary media

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