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 measure is part of standard precautions?

  1. AWearing gloves when contact with blood or body fluids is expected
  2. BWearing an N95 respirator for every patient contact
  3. CWearing a gown and mask for every patient contact, whatever the task
  4. DPlacing every patient in a negative-pressure room
2.Easy

Surgical instruments that enter sterile tissue are “critical” items. Which processing do they need before reuse?

  1. ACleaning with detergent and water only
  2. BLow-level disinfection
  3. CHigh-level disinfection
  4. DSterilization
3.Easy

Why is a carbon monoxide detector recommended in the home?

  1. ACarbon monoxide is only dangerous outdoors
  2. BCarbon monoxide always smells like rotten eggs
  3. CThe detector also measures the air temperature and humidity in the home
  4. DCarbon monoxide has no color or smell, so people cannot detect it themselves
4.Medium

What is the purpose of “Tall Man” lettering, as in hydrOXYzine and hydrALAZINE?

  1. ATo show the strength of the drug
  2. BTo show which of the two drugs is a high-alert medication
  3. CTo make look-alike drug names easier to tell apart
  4. DTo indicate the brand name
5.Medium

A nurse who wears prescription glasses must irrigate a wound where splashing is likely. Which eye protection is suitable?

  1. ANo eye protection, if the nurse stands to one side
  2. BThe glasses with a surgical mask
  3. CGoggles or a face shield worn over the glasses
  4. DThe prescription glasses alone
6.Medium

When is a prophylactic antibiotic usually given to prevent a surgical site infection?

  1. AThe day after surgery, once the wound is closed
  2. BWithin about 60 minutes before the incision
  3. COne week before surgery
  4. DOnly if a fever develops after surgery
7.Hard

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

  1. ABone marrow suppression from chemotherapy
  2. BAn allergic reaction or a parasitic infection
  3. CAn acute bacterial infection
  4. DA viral infection such as a cold
8.Hard

Which action best prevents a wrong-route error with an epidural infusion?

  1. AUse a free IV port if the epidural port becomes blocked
  2. BUse the same pump type and tubing for all of the patient’s infusions
  3. CTape all the lines together to keep them tidy
  4. DLabel the epidural line and keep it on its own dedicated pump

Answer key

  1. 1. A · Wearing gloves when contact with blood or body fluids is expected
  2. 2. D · Sterilization
  3. 3. D · Carbon monoxide has no color or smell, so people cannot detect it themselves
  4. 4. C · To make look-alike drug names easier to tell apart
  5. 5. C · Goggles or a face shield worn over the glasses
  6. 6. B · Within about 60 minutes before the incision
  7. 7. B · An allergic reaction or a parasitic infection
  8. 8. D · Label the epidural line and keep it on its own dedicated pump

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