Infection control & patient safety worksheet with answers

A patient uses glasses and a hearing aid. How does this affect fall prevention?

1. AThe glasses and hearing aid should be in place and working when the patient is awake
2. BThey should be stored away to prevent them from being lost
3. CThey make no difference to the risk of falling
4. DThey should only be worn during meals and visits, to keep them from breaking

Which three elements make up the fire triangle in the operating room?

1. AOxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide
2. BAn oxidizer, an ignition source and a fuel
3. CHeat, light and sound
4. DWater, electricity and metal instruments

Which practice makes the use of an ice pack safer?

1. APlace a cloth between the pack and the skin and limit the time it is applied
2. BPut the ice pack directly on bare skin for several hours
3. CUse it only on areas where the patient has no feeling, so it is not uncomfortable
4. DKeep the ice pack on the skin while the patient sleeps overnight

Why are independent double checks used for some medicines, such as insulin and heparin infusions?

1. ATo make the preparation process faster
2. BTo share responsibility between two nurses if an error happens
3. CA second person checking separately catches missed errors
4. DBecause these drugs are very expensive to waste

A visitor with a cold wants to see a patient who has severe neutropenia. What should the nurse advise?

1. AVisit but avoid touching the patient’s bed
2. BVisit only if the cold started more than a day ago
3. CVisit as usual after washing the hands
4. DPostpone the visit until the visitor is well

Why must visible dirt be removed from equipment before it is disinfected?

1. AOrganic matter can shield organisms and weaken the disinfectant
2. BDisinfectants only work on wet surfaces
3. CCleaning first is only needed for metal items
4. DDirt makes the disinfectant react and work too strongly on the surface

A nurse who has a cold sore (herpes labialis) is assigned to the newborn nursery. What is most appropriate?

1. AInform the manager, who may reassign the nurse for now
2. BTell no one, and cover the lesion with makeup during shifts
3. CWork as usual, since cold sores are very common
4. DWear gloves and carry on as usual

A patient’s cardiac monitor alarms often because of artifact, and a colleague suggests turning the alarm off. What is the best response?

1. ATurn the alarm volume down as low as it will go
2. BDisconnect the monitor overnight so the patient can sleep
3. CTurn the alarm off and check the monitor screen at the nurses’ station every hour instead
4. DKeep the alarm on, fix the cause such as electrode placement, and adjust limits only per policy