1Formulas and methods
Infection control & patient safety
Method
- Start with standard precautions for every patient: hand hygiene, PPE for the expected exposure, safe sharps.
- Add precautions by route: contact (gown, gloves), droplet (surgical mask), airborne (N95, negative-pressure room).
- Keep sterile items sterile: if in doubt, it is not sterile; replace, never wipe.
- Prevent harm in the environment: fall measures, restraints only as a last resort, RACE and PASS for fire.
- 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?
- AHave the patient slide across without help or a slide sheet
- BLock the wheels of both the bed and the stretcher before moving the patient
- CLower the stretcher side rails during transport
- DLeave the stretcher wheels unlocked so it can move with the patient
2.Infection control & patient safetyHard
Shortly after a patient falls, the team holds a brief “post-fall huddle”. What is its main purpose?
- ATo find out quickly why the fall happened and change the care plan to prevent another
- BTo agree on what the team will tell the patient’s lawyer and the family
- CTo complete the patient’s discharge paperwork
- DTo decide which staff member was to blame for the fall
3.Nursing fundamentalsMedium
How is body mass index (BMI) calculated?
- AWeight in kilograms multiplied by height in metres squared
- BHeight in centimetres divided by weight in kilograms
- CWeight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared
- DWaist size divided by hip size
4.Nursing fundamentalsHard
A nurse uses SBAR to call a doctor about a breathless patient. Which item belongs under "Background"?
- AThe patient has COPD and was admitted two days ago with pneumonia
- B"I am calling about Mr Smith in bed 4, who is very breathless."
- C"Please come and review him within the next 10 minutes."
- DHis respiratory rate is 30 and his SpO₂ is 86% on 2 L of oxygen
5.MicrobiologyMedium
Which vaccine contains live attenuated (weakened) viruses?
- AInactivated influenza injection
- BTetanus vaccine
- CMMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
- DHepatitis B vaccine
6.MicrobiologyHard
Which feature distinguishes most exotoxins from endotoxin?
- AExotoxins are only released when bacteria die
- BExotoxins are heat-stable lipids
- CExotoxins are lipopolysaccharides of the Gram-negative outer membrane
- DExotoxins are proteins and can be turned into toxoid vaccines
3Solutions
1.Infection control & patient safety
Answer: B · 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.
B · Lock the wheels of both the bed and the stretcher before moving the patient
2.Infection control & patient safety
Answer: A · To find out quickly why the fall happened and change the care plan to prevent another
Why this is the answer
A post-fall huddle brings the team together soon after the fall to identify causes such as toileting, medication or footwear and to update the plan. It supports a just culture rather than blame.
A · To find out quickly why the fall happened and change the care plan to prevent another
3.Nursing fundamentals
Answer: C · Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared
Why this is the answer
BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height² (m²). For example, 70 kg and 1.75 m gives about 22.9 kg/m². It is a screening measure and does not show body composition.
C · Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared
4.Nursing fundamentals
Answer: A · The patient has COPD and was admitted two days ago with pneumonia
Why this is the answer
SBAR is Situation (why you are calling), Background (relevant history), Assessment (your findings) and Recommendation (what you need). Clear structure speeds up the response.
A · The patient has COPD and was admitted two days ago with pneumonia
5.Microbiology
Answer: C · MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
Why this is the answer
MMR contains weakened live viruses that replicate a little and give strong, long-lasting immunity. Tetanus is a toxoid and hepatitis B a subunit vaccine.
C · MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
6.Microbiology
Answer: D · Exotoxins are proteins and can be turned into toxoid vaccines
Why this is the answer
Exotoxins are secreted proteins with specific actions and are often very potent; many can be inactivated into toxoids. Endotoxin is lipopolysaccharide, more heat-stable and cannot be made into a toxoid.
D · Exotoxins are proteins and can be turned into toxoid vaccines