Infection control & patient safety worksheet with answers

How should a healthy infant be placed to sleep to reduce the risk of sudden infant death?

1. AIn the parents’ bed, between two pillows
2. BOn the side, propped up with rolled blankets
3. COn the stomach, on a soft mattress with a small pillow for comfort
4. DOn the back, on a firm flat surface with no soft bedding

What is an opportunistic infection?

1. AAn infection caught while traveling abroad
2. BAn infection that always clears without treatment
3. CAn infection that takes advantage of a weakened immune system
4. DAn infection that only occurs after surgery or another invasive procedure

On a sterile field, which area is considered non-sterile?

1. AThe center of the field
2. BThe outer border of about 2.5 cm (1 inch)
3. CThe whole field once it has been opened to the air
4. DOnly the corners

Which technique is correct when collecting a wound culture?

1. ASwab the old pus on the dressing that was just removed from the wound
2. BClean the wound with sterile saline first, then swab clean tissue
3. CCollect the sample only after antibiotics have been started
4. DUse one swab to sample two different wounds

A nurse gives part of a dose of an opioid from a vial and must discard the rest. What is correct?

1. AKeep the rest for the patient’s next dose
2. BDiscard it alone in the sink and document the amount wasted later in the shift
3. CReturn the rest to the patient’s medication drawer
4. DDiscard it in front of a second licensed (registered) nurse, who witnesses and documents it

A nurse is preparing medications for two patients. What is the safest approach?

1. AAsk one patient to pass the medications to the other
2. BPrepare both patients’ medications together to save time
3. CPut both patients’ medications in one cup and sort them at the bedside
4. DPrepare and give medications for one patient at a time

A patient has a rash, and both smallpox and chickenpox are considered. Which finding suggests smallpox?

1. ALesions at different stages, most dense on the trunk
2. BLesions all at the same stage, most dense on the face and limbs
3. CSmall crops of new lesions appearing over several days in a row
4. DA rash that is very itchy and starts on the trunk

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. BRecord the new allergy in the chart
3. CStop the infusion
4. DGive an oral antihistamine