Infection control & patient safety worksheet with answers

Which three elements make up the fire triangle in the operating room?

1. AAn oxidizer, an ignition source and a fuel
2. BOxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide
3. CWater, electricity and metal instruments
4. DHeat, light and sound

Which foods are commonly linked to cross-reactions in people with a latex allergy?

1. AMilk, eggs, wheat and peanuts
2. BApples, carrots, lettuce and peas
3. CBanana, avocado, kiwi and chestnut
4. DRice, potatoes, oats and bread

Which medication is a high-alert medication?

1. ALactulose syrup
2. BInsulin
3. CMultivitamin tablets
4. DAcetaminophen (paracetamol) tablets

A patient has severe neutropenia after chemotherapy. Which route for measuring temperature should be avoided?

1. AOral
2. BTemporal artery
3. CRectal
4. DTympanic

Why is keeping a patient warm (normothermia) during surgery part of infection prevention?

1. AWarm patients do not need antibiotic prophylaxis
2. BWarmth sterilizes the surgical site
3. CLow body temperature reduces blood flow and immune function in the wound
4. DCold makes bacteria grow faster in the operating room air and on the drapes

A patient with poorly controlled seizures asks about activities at home. Which advice is most important?

1. AAvoid all forms of exercise
2. BSleep sitting up in a chair
3. CAvoid drinking water before bed
4. DNever swim or bathe alone

A patient weighs 180 kg and needs to be moved from bed to chair. The standard ceiling lift on the unit has a lower weight limit. What should the nurse do?

1. AAsk the patient to stand and pivot without help
2. BHave two staff lift the patient by hand
3. CUse the standard lift, because limits include a safety margin
4. DUse bariatric-rated equipment and enough trained staff

During a sterile central line dressing change, a colleague reaches across the open sterile field to pass the nurse a roll of tape. What should the nurse do?

1. ACover the field with a sterile towel and continue on top of it
2. BTreat the field as contaminated and set up a new one
3. CRemove only the items nearest to where the arm passed over
4. DContinue, because the colleague did not touch any sterile item