Infection control & patient safety worksheet with answers

What is an opportunistic infection?

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

Which single measure is the most important for preventing the spread of infection in healthcare?

1. AWearing a mask at all times
2. BHand hygiene
3. CKeeping windows closed
4. DPrescribing antibiotics to all patients

Which three elements make up the fire triangle in the operating room?

1. AHeat, light and sound
2. BAn oxidizer, an ignition source and a fuel
3. COxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide
4. DWater, electricity and metal instruments

Two patients with very similar names are on the same unit. What is the best safety measure?

1. ACall each patient by their first name only
2. BFlag the similar names and check two identifiers every time
3. CUse the room numbers to tell the patients apart
4. DTransfer one of the two patients to another hospital

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

An infant has had a cleft lip repair. Why are elbow restraints often used?

1. ATo stop the infant’s hands reaching the mouth while still allowing arm movement
2. BTo prevent the infant from sucking a pacifier
3. CTo hold the IV line in place during feeds and stop it being pulled out
4. DTo keep the infant from rolling over in the crib

A nurse asks a colleague to “just glance” at an insulin infusion before starting it. What makes a check truly independent?

1. AThe first nurse reads the details aloud and the second agrees
2. BThe second nurse signs the record after the infusion has already been started by the first
3. CThe second nurse looks at the bag label from the doorway
4. DThe second nurse checks the order, drug, dose and pump settings separately without being told the answer

A nurse teaches the daughter of a patient with moderate Alzheimer’s disease about home safety. Which statement shows a need for further teaching?

1. A“I keep her medicines locked away and give each dose to her myself.”
2. B“We put locks high up on the outside doors.”
3. C“I let Mom cook alone on the gas stove because she enjoys it.”
4. D“She wears an ID bracelet in case she gets lost.”