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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1.Easy

Why are rings and wristwatches discouraged during direct patient care?

  1. AThey can hold organisms and make hand hygiene less effective
  2. BThey can interfere with the readings of patient monitors
  3. CThey can scratch the hospital furniture
  4. DThey can interfere with hospital Wi-Fi signals
2.Easy

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

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

How often should home smoke alarms be tested?

  1. AOnly when the battery runs out
  2. BOnce every five years
  3. COnce a month
  4. DOnly after a fire
4.Medium

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

  1. ASleep sitting up in a chair
  2. BAvoid drinking water before bed
  3. CNever swim or bathe alone
  4. DAvoid all forms of exercise
5.Medium

A nurse has been fit-tested for an N95 respirator. What should the nurse do each time it is put on?

  1. AArrange a new fit test
  2. BPerform a user seal check
  3. CMoisten the edges so it seals better
  4. DWear a surgical mask underneath it
6.Medium

During routine handwashing with soap and water (medical asepsis), how are the hands held?

  1. AHigher than the elbows, so water runs down the arms
  2. BTouching the inside of the sink for support
  3. CLower than the elbows, so water runs off the fingertips
  4. DLevel with the shoulders, away from the sink
7.Hard

Why can a patient with severe neutropenia have a serious infection but little redness, swelling or pus?

  1. AThere are too few neutrophils to produce the usual inflammatory signs
  2. BNeutropenia makes infections stay limited to the skin
  3. CAntibiotics given with chemotherapy hide all signs of infection
  4. DChemotherapy kills the bacteria before they can multiply
8.Hard

According to the “Swiss cheese” model of error, why do errors reach patients?

  1. APatients often do not follow their care instructions
  2. BOne careless person makes a mistake that no system could stop
  3. CTechnology fails more often than people do
  4. DWeaknesses in several layers of defense line up at the same time

Answer key

  1. 1. A · They can hold organisms and make hand hygiene less effective
  2. 2. D · A fit test, plus a seal check at each use
  3. 3. C · Once a month
  4. 4. C · Never swim or bathe alone
  5. 5. B · Perform a user seal check
  6. 6. C · Lower than the elbows, so water runs off the fingertips
  7. 7. A · There are too few neutrophils to produce the usual inflammatory signs
  8. 8. D · Weaknesses in several layers of defense line up at the same time

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