Infection control & patient safety worksheet with answers

What is the main difference between an N95 respirator and a surgical mask?

1. AThere is no real difference, so they can be swapped freely for any type of precautions
2. BA surgical mask filters smaller particles than an N95
3. CAn N95 is only worn by patients, and surgical masks only by staff
4. DAn N95 filters small airborne particles, while a surgical mask mainly blocks droplets

After washing hands at a sink with hand-operated taps, how should the nurse turn off the water?

1. AWith the freshly washed hands
2. BWith the bare forearm before drying
3. CThe tap is left running for the next person
4. DWith a clean, dry paper towel

Before a nurse wears an N95 respirator, what is required?

1. ANothing, because one size fits every face
2. BWashing it with soap before first use
3. CWearing a surgical mask underneath it
4. DA fit test, plus a seal check at each use

A patient is booked for an MRI scan. What must the nurse check beforehand?

1. AWhether the patient has any metal implants or devices, such as a pacemaker
2. BWhether the patient has had a hearing test this year
3. CWhether the patient has eaten a large meal recently
4. DWhether the patient’s blood glucose has been in the normal range today

A patient is on a ventilator. Which bed position helps to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia?

1. ATrendelenburg position
2. BHead of the bed raised 30 to 45 degrees
3. CHead of the bed raised about 10 degrees
4. DLying completely flat

A patient walking with a gait belt suddenly starts to fall. What should the nurse do?

1. ALet go of the belt and run to call for help
2. BHold the belt, widen the stance and ease the patient gently to the floor
3. CPull the patient backwards quickly toward the bed
4. DGrab the patient under both arms and try hard to keep them standing up

Several patients arrive with suspected inhalational anthrax after a deliberate release. Which precautions are needed for their care?

1. AContact precautions with gowns and gloves
2. BAirborne precautions in negative-pressure rooms, because spores are inhaled
3. CStandard precautions, because it is not spread from person to person
4. DDroplet precautions with surgical masks

Two look-alike vials of different drugs are stored next to each other, and a nurse almost picks the wrong one. Which response best reflects a just culture?

1. AKeep the incident quiet to protect the unit’s reputation
2. BDiscipline the nurse who nearly picked the wrong vial
3. CTell the nurse to be more careful and do nothing else
4. DReport it and fix the system, for example by separating the vials