Infection control & patient safety worksheet with answers

Which is one of the body’s first-line, non-specific defenses against infection?

1. AMemory T cells
2. BAntibiotics in the bloodstream
3. CAntibodies made after vaccination
4. DIntact skin

What is seclusion?

1. AClosing the curtains during personal care
2. BMoving a patient to a private room at their request
3. CPlacing a patient on contact precautions in a single room with the door closed
4. DKeeping a patient alone in a room or area that they are prevented from leaving

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

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

Before inserting a peripheral IV, the nurse cleans the skin with chlorhexidine-alcohol. What should the nurse do next?

1. ABlow on the site so it dries faster
2. BLet it dry fully and do not touch the site again
3. CFeel for the vein again with an ungloved finger
4. DWipe it off with a dry gauze straight away

A patient has patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). A family member presses the button while the patient sleeps. What should the nurse explain?

1. AThe pump will always stop any overdose
2. BOnly the patient should press it, because this keeps the system safe
3. CPressing it while the patient sleeps prevents the pain from getting worse later
4. DFamily can press it as long as they count the presses

A colleague has drawn up a medication and asks the nurse to give it to her patient. What should the nurse do?

1. AGive it, as long as the syringe has a label with the drug name on it
2. BGive it, because the colleague is experienced
3. CGive it, and document that the colleague prepared it
4. DDecline, and give only medications that the nurse prepared or checked personally

A nurse notices that the pharmacy has sent the wrong dose and corrects it before giving it. Should the event be reported?

1. AYes, near misses are reported so system weaknesses can be fixed
2. BNo, because the patient was not harmed
3. COnly if the same error happens three times
4. DNo, because reporting near misses only blames the pharmacy staff for nothing

A nurse floated to an unfamiliar unit is asked to manage a device they have never been trained to use. What should the nurse do?

1. ALeave the device untouched and not tell anyone
2. BAsk the patient or the family to explain how the device works
3. CDo it anyway, using only the device manual and the instructions on the screen
4. DTell the charge nurse and ask for help or a change of assignment