Infection control & patient safety worksheet with answers

Which lab value commonly rises with inflammation and infection?

1. ASerum sodium
2. BHemoglobin
3. CSerum albumin
4. DC-reactive protein (CRP)

When should a nurse wash hands with soap and water rather than use an alcohol-based hand rub?

1. ABefore putting on clean gloves
2. BAfter touching a patient’s bed rail
3. CBefore every subcutaneous injection
4. DWhen the hands are visibly soiled

What should be written instead of “cc” in a medication order?

1. Acm
2. BmL
3. Ccc only for oral drugs
4. DU

An infusion pump’s drug library warns that the programmed dose is above the safe limit. What should the nurse do?

1. AOverride the alert, because pump alerts are often wrong
2. BSwitch off the drug library for this infusion
3. CContinue the infusion and recheck the pump at the end of the shift
4. DRecheck the order, the calculation and the pump settings first

Which glove-removal technique is correct?

1. AWash the gloved hands and reuse the gloves for the next task
2. BPull both gloves off at the same time by the fingertips
3. CPeel the first off by its outside, then slide a bare finger under the second cuff
4. DRemove the second glove by pinching its outside with the bare hand, then wash

Which technique is correct when collecting a wound culture?

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

In a US hospital (CMS rules), a patient keeps pulling at an endotracheal tube, and alternatives have failed. The nurse applies wrist restraints in an emergency. What must happen next?

1. AAsk the family to sign a consent form instead of an order
2. BObtain a time-limited order for the restraint promptly, following policy
3. CAsk the provider for a PRN restraint order to use as needed
4. DKeep the restraints on without an order until the patient is calm

A nurse observes a colleague going from one patient to the next without hand hygiene. What is the best action?

1. ARemind the colleague politely at once
2. BWait to see whether the colleague does it next time
3. CSay nothing, to avoid conflict within the team
4. DReport it anonymously to the manager a month later