Infection control & patient safety worksheet with answers

When should a sharps container be replaced?

1. AOnce a month, regardless of how full it is
2. BOnly when sharps begin to stick out of the opening at the top
3. CWhen it reaches the fill line, about three-quarters full
4. DOnly when it is completely full to the top

What is a “near miss”?

1. AA complaint made by a patient or relative
2. BAn error that was caught before it reached the patient
3. CA correct action that was delayed for a short time
4. DAn error that reached the patient and caused serious harm

Which factor is one of the strongest predictors that a patient will fall?

1. AHaving a private room
2. BWearing glasses for reading
3. CBeing female
4. DA previous fall

An order reads “Give potassium chloride by IV push.” What should the nurse do?

1. AGive it slowly by IV push over two minutes while watching the cardiac monitor
2. BGive half by IV push and the rest later
3. CNot give it, and contact the prescriber, because it is never given by IV push
4. DDilute it in a small syringe and push it

A patient has patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). A family member presses the button while the patient sleeps. What should the nurse explain?

1. AThe pump will always stop any overdose
2. BFamily can press it as long as they count the presses
3. COnly the patient should press it, because this keeps the system safe
4. DPressing it while the patient sleeps prevents the pain from getting worse later

How should a portable oxygen cylinder be kept in a patient’s room?

1. APlaced next to a heater to keep it warm
2. BLaid on the bed next to the patient
3. CSecured upright in a stand or holder
4. DLying loose on the floor beside the bed

A patient rescued from a house fire has a headache and confusion, but the pulse oximeter reads 99%. Why might this reading be misleading?

1. AConfusion and headache make pulse oximetry readings inaccurate in every patient
2. BPulse oximetry cannot tell carbon monoxide-bound hemoglobin from oxygen-bound hemoglobin
3. CPulse oximeters always read falsely low after any kind of smoke exposure
4. DThe reading is accurate, so carbon monoxide poisoning is ruled out

In a mass-casualty incident with limited resources, why may a critically injured patient with little chance of survival receive care after others?

1. APatients are treated in the order they arrive
2. BThe most severely injured are never given comfort care
3. CResources go first to those most likely to survive with treatment
4. DCritical patients are always treated last in every situation, even outside disasters