Infection control & patient safety worksheet with answers

What is an opportunistic infection?

1. AAn infection that always clears without treatment
2. BAn infection caught while traveling abroad
3. CAn infection that only occurs after surgery or another invasive procedure
4. DAn infection that takes advantage of a weakened immune system

A patient has measles. Which transmission-based precautions are needed?

1. AAirborne precautions
2. BContact precautions only
3. CStandard precautions only
4. DDroplet precautions only

How should a dose of half a milligram be written?

1. A0.5 mg
2. B0.50 mg
3. C1/2mg
4. D.5 mg

Why is “QD” (once daily) on The Joint Commission’s “Do Not Use” list?

1. AIt is only allowed for intravenous medicines
2. BIt can be misread as QID or QOD, so the drug is given too often or too rarely
3. CIt is a Latin abbreviation, and only plain English abbreviations may be used
4. DIt means “every day at bedtime” in some hospitals

A nurse finds an unlabeled syringe of clear fluid on the medication counter. What should the nurse do?

1. ALabel it with the most likely drug name
2. BAsk nearby staff and use it if someone recognizes it
3. CDiscard it, because its contents cannot be confirmed
4. DGive it to the patient whose medication is due

Before a blood transfusion is started, which check is required?

1. AThe nurse checks only that the bag number matches the order
2. BThe patient’s identity is checked against the blood product and its paperwork at the bedside
3. COne nurse checks the blood product against the order at the nurses’ station
4. DThe patient signs the blood bag label to confirm their name before it is hung

A handwritten order reads “10U regular insulin subcut now”. What is the nurse’s best action?

1. AAsk a nursing assistant to interpret the handwriting
2. BGive 10 units without question, as written
3. CGive 100 units, as the order seems to say
4. DClarify the order, because “U” can be misread

A patient with a common cold asks for antibiotics “to be on the safe side”. Which response is best?

1. AExplain that antibiotics do not work on viruses and overuse breeds resistant bacteria
2. BTell the patient that antibiotics will shorten the cold by several days
3. CSuggest using leftover antibiotics from a previous illness
4. DAsk the provider to prescribe antibiotics anyway so that the patient is reassured