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 technique is used for suctioning a tracheostomy in hospital?
- AClean technique, reusing the catheter during the shift
- BNo gloves at all, because the airway already contains bacteria
- CClean technique, with the catheter rinsed in tap water
- DSterile technique, with a sterile catheter and sterile glove
2.Infection control & patient safetyHard
A patient in a vest restraint has slid down in bed, and the vest is pressing against the neck. What should the nurse do first?
- ARelease the restraint at once and reposition the patient
- BTighten the vest so the patient cannot slide down again
- CWrite a note about the event in the chart
- DCall the provider to ask about a different restraint
3.Nursing fundamentalsMedium
How should dentures be cleaned to avoid breaking them?
- AWith an abrasive cleaning powder to remove stains
- BBy soaking them in very hot water to sterilise them
- COver an empty, hard sink so they can be seen clearly
- DOver a sink lined with a towel or partly filled with water
4.Nursing fundamentalsHard
A patient with diabetes has had foot-care teaching. Which statement shows a need for further teaching?
- A"I'll dry carefully between my toes after washing."
- B"I'll check my feet every day, using a mirror if needed."
- C"I'll wear shoes that fit well and never walk barefoot."
- D"I'll soak my feet in hot water every evening."
5.MicrobiologyMedium
Which white blood cells are the main phagocytes in an acute bacterial infection and the main component of pus?
- ANeutrophils
- BB lymphocytes
- CBasophils
- DEosinophils
6.MicrobiologyHard
A teenager has fever, neck stiffness and a non-blanching purple rash. CSF shows Gram-negative diplococci. Which organism is most likely?
- AListeria monocytogenes
- BEscherichia coli
- CNeisseria meningitidis
- DStreptococcus pneumoniae
3Solutions
1.Infection control & patient safety
Answer: D · Sterile technique, with a sterile catheter and sterile glove
Why this is the answer
In hospital, tracheal suctioning uses sterile technique to avoid introducing organisms into the lower airway. Clean technique may be taught for long-term home care, according to policy.
D · Sterile technique, with a sterile catheter and sterile glove
2.Infection control & patient safety
Answer: A · Release the restraint at once and reposition the patient
Why this is the answer
Patients have died from strangulation when vest restraints moved up to the neck. The nurse frees the patient immediately, checks breathing and repositions them, then reassesses whether the restraint is needed at all.
A · Release the restraint at once and reposition the patient
3.Nursing fundamentals
Answer: D · Over a sink lined with a towel or partly filled with water
Why this is the answer
Cleaning over a padded or water-filled sink cushions a fall. Hot water can warp dentures, and abrasives scratch them; they are stored in a labelled denture pot.
D · Over a sink lined with a towel or partly filled with water
4.Nursing fundamentals
Answer: D · "I'll soak my feet in hot water every evening."
Why this is the answer
People with diabetic neuropathy may not feel heat, and soaking softens the skin, so long hot soaks are avoided. Daily inspection, good footwear and careful drying are correct.
D · "I'll soak my feet in hot water every evening."
5.Microbiology
Answer: A · Neutrophils
Why this is the answer
Neutrophils arrive quickly at sites of infection and engulf bacteria. Dead neutrophils, bacteria and tissue debris form pus.
6.Microbiology
Answer: C · Neisseria meningitidis
Why this is the answer
Neisseria meningitidis is a Gram-negative diplococcus causing meningitis and septicaemia with a petechial or purpuric rash. It needs urgent antibiotics and contacts may need prophylaxis.
C · Neisseria meningitidis