Infection control & patient safety worksheet with answers

How should a labeled specimen be sent to the laboratory?

1. AIn an open cup placed on the transport trolley
2. BLoose in the nurse’s uniform pocket so that it does not get lost on the way
3. CIn the same bag as the request form, touching the paper
4. DIn a sealed biohazard bag, with the request form in the separate pocket

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

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

Which syringe is used to measure a dose of insulin?

1. AA tuberculin syringe marked in mL
2. BAn oral syringe marked in mL
3. CA 5 mL syringe marked in mL
4. DAn insulin syringe marked in units

Before a defibrillator shock is delivered, what must the person operating it do?

1. AAsk a colleague to hold the paddles in place
2. BHold the patient’s hand to keep them still
3. CCall “all clear” and check that nobody is touching the patient or bed
4. DKeep the oxygen mask on the patient’s face, held against the chest

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

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

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

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

A nurse observes a colleague going from one patient to the next without hand hygiene. What is the best action?

1. ARemind the colleague politely at once
2. BSay nothing, to avoid conflict within the team
3. CWait to see whether the colleague does it next time
4. DReport it anonymously to the manager a month later

A nurse has worked three long shifts in a row and feels exhausted. The manager asks the nurse to stay for another shift. What is the most appropriate response?

1. AAgree, but skip the independent medication checks to save energy on the shift
2. BExplain that fatigue would make care unsafe and decline the extra shift
3. CAgree and drink extra coffee to stay alert
4. DAgree without telling anyone about the fatigue