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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Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

1.Easy

Which infection is mainly spread through blood and is a major risk after a needlestick injury?

  1. ANorovirus
  2. BHepatitis A
  3. CSeasonal influenza
  4. DHepatitis B
2.Easy

In the United States classification, which class of fire extinguisher is used for an electrical fire?

  1. AClass A
  2. BClass K
  3. CClass C
  4. DClass B
3.Easy

In the chain of infection, which link does vaccination break?

  1. AThe susceptible host
  2. BThe portal of exit
  3. CThe reservoir
  4. DThe infectious agent
4.Medium

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

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

Why are patients on long-term corticosteroids at higher risk from infections?

  1. ASteroids kill the patient’s normal skin bacteria
  2. BSteroids make the patient’s blood more acidic, which helps bacteria grow
  3. CSteroids only affect the risk of fungal skin rashes
  4. DSteroids suppress the immune response and can hide signs of infection
6.Medium

How should the urethral meatus be cared for in a patient with an indwelling urinary catheter?

  1. AWith daily bladder irrigation using an antibiotic solution through the catheter
  2. BWith routine hygiene, using soap and water during daily washing
  3. CBy sliding the catheter in and out a little to clean it
  4. DWith antiseptic cream applied to the meatus every shift
7.Hard

A nurse picks up a heparin vial that contains 10 000 units/mL; the ward usually stocks 1000 units/mL vials. Why is extra care needed?

  1. ABoth vial strengths can be swapped freely
  2. BHeparin concentration has no effect on safety
  3. CThe concentrated vial is safer, because less volume is drawn up
  4. DUsing the more concentrated vial by mistake would give a tenfold overdose
8.Hard

A patient was harmed by a medication error and asks the nurse what happened. Which approach is best?

  1. ABlame the pharmacy for the error so that the nurse and the ward are not at fault
  2. BTell the patient to make a formal complaint to find out
  3. CTell the patient nothing happened to avoid worry
  4. DBe honest that an error occurred and involve the provider and team in disclosure per policy

Answer key

  1. 1. D · Hepatitis B
  2. 2. C · Class C
  3. 3. A · The susceptible host
  4. 4. A · Use a friction-reducing sheet with enough staff, with the bed flat if tolerated
  5. 5. D · Steroids suppress the immune response and can hide signs of infection
  6. 6. B · With routine hygiene, using soap and water during daily washing
  7. 7. D · Using the more concentrated vial by mistake would give a tenfold overdose
  8. 8. D · Be honest that an error occurred and involve the provider and team in disclosure per policy

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