Infection control & patient safety worksheet with answers

What is the difference between an epidemic and a pandemic?

1. AA pandemic is a disease that only affects animals and never spreads to people
2. BAn epidemic is a disease that is always present at a low level
3. CAn epidemic always affects more people than a pandemic
4. DA pandemic is an epidemic that spreads across several countries or continents

Why are a low bed and floor mats used for some patients at high risk of falls?

1. AThey stop the patient from ever leaving the bed
2. BThey help the patient sleep more deeply
3. CThey make it easier for staff to clean under and around the bed
4. DThey reduce the risk of injury if the patient falls out of bed

What do the letters in SBAR stand for?

1. ASituation, Behavior, Analysis, Review
2. BSummary, Background, Assessment, Result
3. CSituation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation
4. DSymptoms, Baseline, Assessment, Response

A nurse has been fit-tested for an N95 respirator. What should the nurse do each time it is put on?

1. AMoisten the edges so it seals better
2. BPerform a user seal check
3. CArrange a new fit test
4. DWear a surgical mask underneath it

A patient has shingles (herpes zoster) on one area of the chest, has a normal immune system and the lesions can be fully covered. Which precautions are usually needed?

1. AProtective environment with positive pressure
2. BStandard precautions, with the lesions covered
3. CAirborne precautions in a negative-pressure room
4. DDroplet precautions only

In the US (EPA/OSHA) hazmat system, which level of PPE gives the highest level of protection?

1. ALevel B
2. BLevel A
3. CLevel C
4. DLevel D

A nurse arrives at the scene of a fire in a corridor and the fire is spreading. Patients are in nearby rooms. What should the nurse do after raising the alarm?

1. AClose doors and move patients in danger horizontally behind fire doors
2. BOpen all doors and windows to let the smoke escape
3. CTake patients to the ground floor in the nearest elevator
4. DTry to put out the spreading fire alone with an extinguisher

A nurse often skips barcode scanning to save time, as many colleagues do. In a just culture, how is this behavior classed?

1. ASimple human error, managed only by consoling the nurse and moving on
2. BReckless behavior, managed by immediate dismissal and reporting to the licensing board
3. CAcceptable behavior, because it is common on the unit
4. DAt-risk behavior, managed by coaching and fixing the system pressures behind it