Infection control & patient safety worksheet with answers

What is the difference between an epidemic and a pandemic?

1. AAn epidemic always affects more people than a pandemic
2. BA pandemic is an epidemic that spreads across several countries or continents
3. CA pandemic is a disease that only affects animals and never spreads to people
4. DAn epidemic is a disease that is always present at a low level

When should the side rails of a young child’s hospital crib be fully raised?

1. AOnly at night while the child sleeps
2. BWhenever the child is in the crib and the nurse steps away
3. COnly when a parent asks for them to be raised before leaving the room
4. DOnly if the child has fallen before

Which medication is a high-alert medication?

1. AAcetaminophen (paracetamol) tablets
2. BInsulin
3. CMultivitamin tablets
4. DLactulose syrup

A nurse finds a used needle in a patient’s bed linen. What should the nurse do?

1. ALeave it where it is for the housekeeping staff to remove later in the day
2. BFold it into the linen and send it to the laundry
3. CRecap it with two hands before throwing it away
4. DPick it up by the hub or with forceps, put it in a sharps container and report it

Which nursing care reduces the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia?

1. ALeaving secretions in the mouth to protect the airway
2. BLying the patient flat for most of the day
3. CRegular oral care to reduce bacteria in the mouth
4. DChanging the ventilator circuit every few hours

Many intensive care units bathe patients daily with chlorhexidine. What is the main purpose?

1. ATo lower the patient’s body temperature
2. BTo reduce skin bacteria and bloodstream infections linked to central lines
3. CTo treat existing wound infections without the need for antibiotics
4. DTo moisturize dry skin in older patients

A patient on long-term high-dose corticosteroids asks for the nasal spray influenza vaccine. What should the nurse explain?

1. AEither type is fine, as long as it is given in the morning
2. BThe nasal spray is the best choice for people on steroids, because it is not injected
3. CThe nasal spray is a live vaccine, so the injected inactivated vaccine is used instead
4. DPeople on steroids should never have any influenza vaccine

A child with chickenpox is admitted. Which staff member is the best choice to care for the child?

1. AA nurse who is pregnant and unsure of her immunity
2. BA nurse who has never had chickenpox or the vaccine
3. CA nurse with documented immunity to varicella
4. DA student nurse with unknown immunity