Infection control & patient safety worksheet with answers

Why is “IU” (international units) on The Joint Commission’s “Do Not Use” list?

1. AIt is only allowed in pediatric orders
2. BIt refers only to insulin units
3. CIt can be misread as “IV” or as the number 10
4. DIt means “inpatient use” in many hospitals

A blood test shows a positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). What does this mean?

1. AThe person currently has hepatitis B infection
2. BThe person has never been exposed to hepatitis B
3. CThe person is immune from vaccination
4. DThe person has hepatitis A infection

Which precautions are used for a patient with rubella (German measles)?

1. AStandard precautions only
2. BContact precautions only
3. CDroplet precautions
4. DAirborne precautions

A small spill of blood is found on the floor. How should it be cleaned?

1. ACover it with a clean sheet and keep working
2. BWear gloves, absorb the blood, then clean the area with an approved disinfectant
3. CLeave it until housekeeping arrives the next morning
4. DWipe it up quickly with a dry cloth using bare hands, then wash the hands well

A nurse finds a used needle in a patient’s bed linen. What should the nurse do?

1. ARecap it with two hands before throwing it away
2. BLeave it where it is for the housekeeping staff to remove later in the day
3. CPick it up by the hub or with forceps, put it in a sharps container and report it
4. DFold it into the linen and send it to the laundry

Why does a nurse wear chemotherapy-tested gloves and a gown when emptying the urinal of a patient who recently had chemotherapy?

1. AThe patient is on airborne precautions after treatment
2. BThe urine always contains infectious bacteria after chemotherapy
3. CChemotherapy makes the urine strongly acidic and corrosive
4. DThe body fluids can contain active drug for a time after treatment

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

1. ADeciding whether to tell the family about the error
2. BFinding the system and process weaknesses that allowed the error
3. CIdentifying which staff member made the error and should be disciplined
4. DEstimating the legal costs for the hospital

A patient with severe immunosuppression after a stem cell transplant is in a protective environment. Which item should not be brought into the room?

1. AA family photo in a frame that has been wiped clean
2. BA clean, disinfected tablet computer
3. CThe patient’s own clean clothes
4. DFresh flowers or potted plants