Infection control & patient safety worksheet with answers

Why should a trailing zero (for example “5.0 mg”) not be written in a medication order?

1. AIt is only allowed for intravenous drugs
2. BIt makes the dose ten times too small if misread
3. CA missed decimal point turns it into 50 mg
4. DIt can change the drug name on the label

To which patients do standard precautions apply?

1. ATo all patients, whatever their diagnosis
2. BOnly to patients having surgery
3. COnly to patients in isolation rooms
4. DOnly to patients with a known infection

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

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

A patient in bed has a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. What should the nurse do?

1. APut a padded tongue blade between the teeth to protect the tongue from biting
2. BGive sips of water to keep the airway moist
3. CHold the arms and legs firmly to stop the movements
4. DTurn the patient on their side and protect them from injury without restraining

An order reads “Give potassium chloride by IV push.” What should the nurse do?

1. ADilute it in a small syringe and push it
2. BNot give it, and contact the prescriber, because it is never given by IV push
3. CGive half by IV push and the rest later
4. DGive it slowly by IV push over two minutes while watching the cardiac monitor

A patient on a diuretic is at high risk of falls and often gets up at night. Which measure is most helpful?

1. AScheduled toileting, with the call light and walking aid in reach
2. BKeeping the room completely dark at night to help the patient sleep
3. CTelling the patient not to drink anything after lunch
4. DGiving the diuretic at bedtime so it works overnight

A patient sitting in a chair starts to have a generalized seizure. What should the nurse do?

1. AEase the patient to the floor, protect the head and turn them on their side
2. BHold the patient firmly in the chair until the seizure stops
3. CLeave to get the provider, then return
4. DPut a padded tongue blade between the teeth to protect the tongue and airway

A patient dies after a wrong-drug error, and the hospital carries out a root cause analysis. What is its main focus?

1. AIdentifying which staff member made the error and should be disciplined
2. BEstimating the legal costs for the hospital
3. CFinding the system and process weaknesses that allowed the error
4. DDeciding whether to tell the family about the error