Infection control & patient safety worksheet with answers

Which footwear is safest for a hospitalized patient who is walking?

1. AOrdinary cotton socks with no grip on the soles
2. BBare feet on the polished floor
3. CLoose slippers with an open heel that are easy to slide on
4. DNon-slip socks or well-fitting shoes with non-slip soles

When is eye protection part of standard precautions?

1. AOnly when caring for a patient who has an eye infection such as conjunctivitis
2. BWhen splashes or sprays of blood or body fluids are likely
3. COnly when the patient is on airborne precautions
4. DOnly in the operating room

What is a “just culture” in patient safety?

1. AEvery error leads to formal punishment of the person involved
2. BErrors are reported openly and systems fixed; reckless acts are still addressed
3. CErrors are never discussed, in order to protect staff morale
4. DOnly doctors report errors, and nurses inform them

When is a prophylactic antibiotic usually given to prevent a surgical site infection?

1. AOne week before surgery
2. BThe day after surgery, once the wound is closed
3. CWithin about 60 minutes before the incision
4. DOnly if a fever develops after surgery

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

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

A patient with a fever and a cough arrives in a crowded clinic waiting room. What should the nurse do?

1. AGive the patient a mask and seat them apart from others
2. BAsk the patient to wait outside in the car park
3. CDo nothing until the patient is seen by the provider
4. DGive everyone else in the waiting room a mask instead

A patient on an anticoagulant falls and hits their head but says they feel fine. What should the nurse do?

1. AGive the next anticoagulant dose early to prevent clots from forming after the fall
2. BWait until the next day to see if a headache develops
3. CHelp the patient back to bed and do nothing more if they feel fine
4. DNotify the provider and start neurological observations, because a brain bleed may develop

Over a few hours, the emergency department sees many previously healthy people with the same unusual severe symptoms. What should the nurse do?

1. ATreat each patient and wait to see if more arrive next week
2. BTell only the patients’ families about the pattern
3. CReport it to infection prevention and public health authorities promptly
4. DSend the patients home quickly to avoid crowding the emergency department