Infection control & patient safety worksheet with answers

What is an opportunistic infection?

1. AAn infection that only occurs after surgery or another invasive procedure
2. BAn infection caught while traveling abroad
3. CAn infection that takes advantage of a weakened immune system
4. DAn infection that always clears without treatment

What does the virulence of an organism describe?

1. AHow long it survives on surfaces
2. BIts ability to cause severe disease
3. CThe number of people it has infected
4. DHow well it responds to antibiotics

A culture and sensitivity report says the organism is “sensitive” to an antibiotic. What does this mean?

1. AThe patient is allergic to the antibiotic and should not be given it
2. BThe antibiotic is expected to stop the organism growing
3. CThe organism causes an allergic reaction to the drug
4. DThe organism has become resistant to the antibiotic

How should a newborn be moved through hospital corridors?

1. AIn the arms of any visitor who offers to help
2. BOn the mother’s lap in a wheelchair, without staff
3. CIn a bassinet, not carried in the arms
4. DCarried in the nurse’s arms for comfort

A portable x-ray is taken at the bedside. Which action protects the nurse?

1. ALook directly at the x-ray tube during the exposure to check its position
2. BStay close to the patient to keep them still without protection
3. CStep away from the patient or wear a lead apron during the exposure
4. DStand next to the patient and hold the film without protection

Before a blood transfusion is started, which check is required?

1. AOne nurse checks the blood product against the order at the nurses’ station
2. BThe nurse checks only that the bag number matches the order
3. CThe patient signs the blood bag label to confirm their name before it is hung
4. DThe patient’s identity is checked against the blood product and its paperwork at the bedside

A patient refuses to wear an identification wristband. What should the nurse do?

1. AAccept the refusal and identify the patient by room number and bed space instead
2. BForce the band onto the patient’s wrist
3. CExplain why it is needed, use other ID methods per policy and document
4. DStop giving the patient any care until they agree to wear the band

In US nursing practice, which task should the RN not assign to an LPN/LVN?

1. AReinforcing hand hygiene teaching that the RN has already given
2. BA dressing change on a healing surgical wound that has no signs of infection
3. CThe initial admission assessment of a new patient with suspected sepsis
4. DGiving scheduled oral antibiotics to a stable patient