Infection control & patient safety worksheet with answers

Why is “IU” (international units) on The Joint Commission’s “Do Not Use” list?

1. AIt means “inpatient use” in many hospitals
2. BIt is only allowed in pediatric orders
3. CIt refers only to insulin units
4. DIt can be misread as “IV” or as the number 10

Which finding suggests a systemic infection rather than only a local one?

1. AMild swelling at an injection site
2. BSlight tenderness around an IV site
3. CRedness around a small cut
4. DFever with a raised heart rate

To which patients do standard precautions apply?

1. AOnly to patients with a known infection
2. BTo all patients, whatever their diagnosis
3. COnly to patients having surgery
4. DOnly to patients in isolation rooms

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

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

A patient has botulism after eating contaminated food. Which precautions are needed?

1. AAirborne precautions
2. BDroplet precautions
3. CContact precautions
4. DStandard precautions

A nurse is preparing medications for two patients. What is the safest approach?

1. APrepare and give medications for one patient at a time
2. BPrepare both patients’ medications together to save time
3. CAsk one patient to pass the medications to the other
4. DPut both patients’ medications in one cup and sort them at the bedside

A nurse teaches a patient with neutropenia about preventing infection at home. Which statement shows a need for further teaching?

1. A“I can clean the cat’s litter box if I wear a face mask.”
2. B“I will wash my hands often and ask visitors to do the same.”
3. C“I will avoid crowds and people who have colds.”
4. D“I will check my temperature and call if I have a fever.”

A nurse has raised a safety concern about an order with the prescriber, who dismissed it without addressing it. What should the nurse do next?

1. AState the concern clearly a second time and, if still unresolved, use the chain of command
2. BRefuse to care for the patient for the rest of the shift until the prescriber apologizes
3. CDiscuss the concern with the patient and let them decide
4. DCarry out the order as written, because the prescriber has heard the concern