Infection control & patient safety worksheet with answers

Which foods are commonly linked to cross-reactions in people with a latex allergy?

1. ARice, potatoes, oats and bread
2. BMilk, eggs, wheat and peanuts
3. CApples, carrots, lettuce and peas
4. DBanana, avocado, kiwi and chestnut

Which precautions are used for a child with impetigo?

1. AAirborne precautions
2. BA protective environment
3. CDroplet precautions
4. DContact precautions

Which item is “non-critical” and needs only cleaning and low-level disinfection between patients?

1. AA flexible gastroscope
2. BA blood pressure cuff
3. CA set of surgical forceps
4. DA central venous catheter

Before giving a tablet, the patient says, “This pill looks different from my usual one.” What should the nurse do?

1. AReassure the patient and give the pill
2. BStop and recheck the order and the drug before giving it
3. CGive half the pill and watch for any unusual effects
4. DTell the patient that all pills look different in hospital

When should the transparent dressing over a peripheral IV site be changed?

1. AEvery hour, so the site can be cleaned again
2. BOnly when the patient asks for a new dressing
3. COnly when the IV catheter is removed, whatever its state
4. DWhen it is damp, loose or visibly soiled

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

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

A unit keeps vials of concentrated potassium chloride in the ward stock cupboard. Why do many safety guidelines advise against this?

1. AUndiluted concentrate given by mistake can stop the heart
2. BPotassium chloride must always be given by mouth
3. CPotassium chloride is too expensive to keep as general ward stock
4. DPotassium chloride vials expire within a day of opening

A nurse notices that the wrong drug was drawn up, but realizes it before giving it. What should the nurse do?

1. ASay nothing, because the patient was not harmed
2. BDiscard it, prepare the correct drug and report a near miss
3. CReport it only if the same mistake happens again on the unit
4. DGive the drug anyway, since it is already drawn up