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

When walking with axillary crutches, where should the patient’s weight be taken?

  1. AOn the armpits, resting on the crutch tops
  2. BOn the shoulders, with the crutches pressed upward
  3. COn the elbows, kept bent at a right angle with the crutch tops tucked under the arms
  4. DOn the hands, with the crutch tops a few finger widths below the armpits
2.Infection control & patient safetyHard

During a power cut in a US hospital, a ventilator must stay powered. Where should it be plugged in?

  1. AInto an extension cord from the corridor
  2. BInto the outlet that is closest to the bed, whatever its color
  3. CInto a red outlet connected to the emergency generator
  4. DInto any white outlet in the room
3.Nursing fundamentalsMedium

What does the Visual Infusion Phlebitis (VIP) score assess?

  1. AThe risk of an allergic reaction to IV drugs
  2. BThe speed of an infusion pump
  3. CThe cannula site for signs of phlebitis
  4. DThe patient's eyesight before surgery
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. AAdd a sedative to help them rest
  2. BAsk for a full medication review
  3. CStop all the medicines straight away
  4. DAdvise the patient to stay in bed
5.MicrobiologyMedium

Many antifungal drugs target ergosterol. Why does this work?

  1. AHuman cells use ergosterol to make energy
  2. BErgosterol is only found in viruses
  3. CErgosterol is in fungal cell membranes but not in human cells
  4. DErgosterol is the main structural component of bacterial cell walls
6.MicrobiologyHard

Which hepatitis viruses are mainly spread through contaminated food and water?

  1. AHepatitis B and C
  2. BHepatitis A and E
  3. CHepatitis C and E
  4. DHepatitis B and D

3Solutions

1.Infection control & patient safety

Answer: D · On the hands, with the crutch tops a few finger widths below the armpits

Why this is the answer

Weight is taken on the hands and arms. Leaning on the crutch tops can compress the brachial plexus and cause crutch palsy, so a gap is kept between the crutch top and the axilla.

Answer

D · On the hands, with the crutch tops a few finger widths below the armpits
2.Infection control & patient safety

Answer: C · Into a red outlet connected to the emergency generator

Why this is the answer

In US hospitals, red outlets are usually connected to the emergency generator. Life-support equipment is plugged into them, and battery backups are checked as part of emergency planning.

Answer

C · Into a red outlet connected to the emergency generator
3.Nursing fundamentals

Answer: C · The cannula site for signs of phlebitis

Why this is the answer

The VIP score grades pain, redness, swelling and hardening along the vein. A rising score tells the nurse when the cannula must be removed.

Answer

C · The cannula site for signs of phlebitis
4.Nursing fundamentals

Answer: B · 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

B · Ask for a full medication review
5.Microbiology

Answer: C · Ergosterol is in fungal cell membranes but not in human cells

Why this is the answer

Fungal membranes contain ergosterol, while human membranes contain cholesterol. Azoles block ergosterol synthesis and amphotericin binds ergosterol, so they target fungi selectively.

Answer

C · Ergosterol is in fungal cell membranes but not in human cells
6.Microbiology

Answer: B · Hepatitis A and E

Why this is the answer

Hepatitis A and E spread by the faecal–oral route. B, C and D spread through blood and body fluids and can cause chronic infection.

Answer

B · Hepatitis A and E

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