Infection control & patient safety worksheet with answers

Which procedure requires surgical asepsis (sterile technique)?

1. AGiving a bed bath
2. BInserting an indwelling urinary catheter
3. CGiving an oral medication through the mouth
4. DMeasuring blood pressure on the upper arm

In the chain of infection, a contaminated bedside table where bacteria live and multiply is an example of which link?

1. AThe portal of exit
2. BThe reservoir
3. CThe portal of entry
4. DThe susceptible host

What is an iatrogenic infection?

1. AAn infection that is present from birth
2. BAn infection caused by a treatment, test or procedure
3. CAn infection caught from a family pet at home
4. DAn infection that comes from the patient’s own skin flora

A patient’s identification wristband is missing. A medication is due. What should the nurse do?

1. AConfirm identity with two identifiers and apply a new wristband first
2. BSkip the medication until the next day
3. CGive it, because the nurse recognizes the patient from yesterday
4. DUse the room and bed number to confirm identity

Before giving a tablet, the patient says, “This pill looks different from my usual one.” What should the nurse do?

1. AGive half the pill and watch for any unusual effects
2. BReassure the patient and give the pill
3. CTell the patient that all pills look different in hospital
4. DStop and recheck the order and the drug before giving it

A patient needs to be moved up in bed and cannot help much. Which approach is safest?

1. AHave one nurse pull the patient up by the arms
2. BUse a friction-reducing sheet with enough staff, with the bed flat if tolerated
3. CRaise the head of the bed fully and lift the patient up by the shoulders
4. DAsk the patient to push up with their heels alone

A patient’s white cell differential shows a raised eosinophil count. Which cause is most consistent with this finding?

1. AAn acute bacterial infection
2. BBone marrow suppression from chemotherapy
3. CA viral infection such as a cold
4. DAn allergic reaction or a parasitic infection

Several patients on a ward develop vomiting and diarrhea within two days, and a norovirus outbreak is suspected. What should the nurse do first?

1. AMove the affected patients to different wards so that fewer people are exposed
2. BAsk visitors to bring in bottled water for all patients
3. CNotify the infection prevention team and place affected patients on contact precautions
4. DWait for all the stool results to come back before taking any action