Infection control & patient safety worksheet with answers

In the fire extinguisher acronym PASS, what does the first S stand for?

1. ASpray the top of the flames
2. BSqueeze the handle
3. CShout for help
4. DStand still

Why are patients usually kept nil by mouth (NPO) for a period before general anesthesia?

1. ATo reduce the risk of aspirating stomach contents
2. BTo prevent the patient from needing the toilet
3. CTo lower the risk of a wound infection
4. DTo make the patient lose weight before surgery

Which footwear is safest for a hospitalized patient who is walking?

1. ABare feet on the polished floor
2. BLoose slippers with an open heel that are easy to slide on
3. COrdinary cotton socks with no grip on the soles
4. DNon-slip socks or well-fitting shoes with non-slip soles

How should a nurse handle soiled bed linen?

1. APut it on the floor until the bed is made
2. BHold it away from the uniform and place it straight into a linen bag
3. CCarry it bundled against the body to the soiled utility room down the hall
4. DShake it out first to check for lost items

A visitor with a cold wants to see a patient who has severe neutropenia. What should the nurse advise?

1. AVisit only if the cold started more than a day ago
2. BVisit but avoid touching the patient’s bed
3. CVisit as usual after washing the hands
4. DPostpone the visit until the visitor is well

Before accessing a central venous catheter hub, what should the nurse do?

1. AScrub the hub with an antiseptic and let it dry
2. BBlow on the hub gently to remove dust
3. CNothing, because the hub is protected under a sterile cap
4. DWipe it quickly with a dry sterile gauze

A chemical cloud has been released near the hospital, and authorities order “shelter in place”. What should staff do?

1. AKeep everyone inside, close windows and doors and shut off outside air intake
2. BEvacuate all patients into the car park at once
3. CSend all visitors home through the main entrance
4. DOpen the windows to let fresh air into the wards and dilute the chemical

A nurse is about to give IV morphine. The patient’s respiratory rate is 9/min and they are very drowsy. What should the nurse do?

1. AGive the dose and recheck the respiratory rate tomorrow
2. BGive half the dose
3. CGive the dose because pain was reported earlier
4. DWithhold the dose, assess the patient and inform the prescriber