Infection control & patient safety worksheet with answers

Which precautions are used for a patient with diphtheria of the throat (pharyngeal diphtheria)?

1. ADroplet precautions
2. BStandard precautions only
3. CContact precautions only
4. DAirborne precautions

Which item is “non-critical” and needs only cleaning and low-level disinfection between patients?

1. AA central venous catheter
2. BA flexible gastroscope
3. CA blood pressure cuff
4. DA set of surgical forceps

Why is a Gram stain often done on a specimen before the culture result is ready?

1. AIt measures the number of white cells in the blood
2. BIt shows exactly which antibiotic will work
3. CIt quickly sorts bacteria into groups that help choose early treatment
4. DIt confirms whether the patient has a virus and which virus it is

Two patients infected with the same organism are admitted, and no single room is available. What is an accepted option?

1. AStopping contact precautions
2. BCohorting them in the same room, according to infection control advice
3. CPlacing them in the corridor
4. DPlacing each with a patient who has a weakened immune system

Where is a gait belt placed when helping a patient to walk?

1. AAround the hips, directly on bare skin
2. BAround both thighs, just above the knees
3. CAround the patient’s waist, over clothing
4. DAround the chest, under the arms

A nurse receives a needlestick injury from a patient known to have HIV. Why is it important to report it immediately?

1. AReporting is only needed if the wound bleeds or is deep
2. BPost-exposure prophylaxis works best when started within hours
3. CReporting can be done at any time within a month without changing the risk
4. DReporting is only needed for injuries from IV needles

An 82-year-old patient is prescribed diphenhydramine at bedtime for sleep. Why should the nurse raise this with the prescriber?

1. AIt raises blood pressure in most older adults
2. BIt is too weak to help an older person sleep
3. CIt is only available as an IV drug and cannot be given by mouth at bedtime
4. DIt is strongly anticholinergic and can cause confusion and falls in older adults

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