Infection control & patient safety worksheet with answers

What is an iatrogenic infection?

1. AAn infection caught from a family pet at home
2. BAn infection that is present from birth
3. CAn infection that comes from the patient’s own skin flora
4. DAn infection caused by a treatment, test or procedure

Which precautions are used for an infant in diapers who has rotavirus diarrhea?

1. ADroplet precautions
2. BAirborne precautions
3. CContact precautions
4. DA protective environment

How is a contaminated isolation gown removed?

1. AUntie it and peel it away, rolling the outside inward
2. BPull it over the head with the outside facing out
3. CShake it off and then fold it neatly
4. DRemove it by gripping the front of the gown with bare hands

Why is keeping a patient warm (normothermia) during surgery part of infection prevention?

1. ACold makes bacteria grow faster in the operating room air and on the drapes
2. BWarm patients do not need antibiotic prophylaxis
3. CWarmth sterilizes the surgical site
4. DLow body temperature reduces blood flow and immune function in the wound

Which part of a sterile surgical gown is considered sterile once it is on?

1. AOnly the back of the gown, which nobody touches
2. BThe front from chest to the level of the sterile field, and the sleeves
3. CThe whole gown, including the back, the collar and the area below the waist
4. DThe front from the neck down to the knees

A nurse gives part of a dose of an opioid from a vial and must discard the rest. What is correct?

1. AReturn the rest to the patient’s medication drawer
2. BDiscard it alone in the sink and document the amount wasted later in the shift
3. CKeep the rest for the patient’s next dose
4. DDiscard it in front of a second licensed (registered) nurse, who witnesses and documents it

A nurse notices that a patient’s infusion pump is set to a rate ten times higher than the prescription. The patient seems well. What is the first action?

1. ALeave the rate and document the finding in the notes
2. BStop or correct the infusion, then assess the patient
3. CAsk the patient whether they feel different, and continue
4. DWait to see whether any side effects develop

Before the wound is closed, the sponge count does not match the starting count. What should happen?

1. AChange the count on the record so that it matches, then close the wound as planned
2. BAssume that the first count was wrong and continue
3. CTell the surgeon and team, search for the item, and image the patient per policy if it is not found
4. DClose the wound to avoid a long anesthetic and recount the sponges after surgery