Infection control & patient safety worksheet with answers

Free printable Infection control & patient safety worksheet: 8 problems from easy to exam level, with an answer key. Print it or save it as a PDF.

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Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

1.Easy

An adult’s white blood cell count is 18,000/mm3 (18 × 109/L). How is this best described?

  1. ANormal for an older adult
  2. BLow (leukopenia)
  3. CRaised (leukocytosis)
  4. DWithin the normal range
2.Easy

Why is “IU” (international units) on The Joint Commission’s “Do Not Use” list?

  1. AIt can be misread as “IV” or as the number 10
  2. BIt refers only to insulin units
  3. CIt means “inpatient use” in many hospitals
  4. DIt is only allowed in pediatric orders
3.Easy

Which precautions are used for a patient with rubella (German measles)?

  1. AContact precautions only
  2. BAirborne precautions
  3. CDroplet precautions
  4. DStandard precautions only
4.Medium

An adult with hepatitis A is incontinent of stool. Which precautions are used?

  1. ADroplet precautions with a surgical mask
  2. BA protective environment with filtered air
  3. CContact precautions in addition to standard precautions
  4. DAirborne precautions in a negative-pressure room with the door closed
5.Medium

Before inserting a peripheral IV, the nurse cleans the skin with chlorhexidine-alcohol. What should the nurse do next?

  1. ABlow on the site so it dries faster
  2. BWipe it off with a dry gauze straight away
  3. CFeel for the vein again with an ungloved finger
  4. DLet it dry fully and do not touch the site again
6.Medium

A patient is receiving opioids for pain. Which sign usually comes before opioid-induced respiratory depression?

  1. AIncreasing sedation
  2. BRising blood pressure
  3. CDilated pupils
  4. DDiarrhea
7.Hard

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 the dose because pain was reported earlier
  3. CGive half the dose
  4. DWithhold the dose, assess the patient and inform the prescriber
8.Hard

Minutes after the first IV dose of an antibiotic starts, the patient develops wheezing, hives and low blood pressure. What should the nurse do first?

  1. ASlow the infusion rate
  2. BStop the infusion
  3. CRecord the new allergy in the chart
  4. DGive an oral antihistamine

Answer key

  1. 1. C · Raised (leukocytosis)
  2. 2. A · It can be misread as “IV” or as the number 10
  3. 3. C · Droplet precautions
  4. 4. C · Contact precautions in addition to standard precautions
  5. 5. D · Let it dry fully and do not touch the site again
  6. 6. A · Increasing sedation
  7. 7. D · Withhold the dose, assess the patient and inform the prescriber
  8. 8. B · Stop the infusion

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