Infection control & patient safety worksheet with answers

Free printable Infection control & patient safety worksheet: 8 problems from easy to exam level, with an answer key. Print it or save it as a PDF.

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Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

1.Easy

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

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

In quality improvement, what does the PDSA cycle stand for?

  1. APlan, Do, Study, Act
  2. BPredict, Decide, Start, Analyze
  3. CPrepare, Deliver, Score, Assess
  4. DPlan, Document, Supervise, Audit
3.Easy

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

  1. AHaving a private room
  2. BBeing female
  3. CA previous fall
  4. DWearing glasses for reading
4.Medium

When opening a sterile pack on a table, which flap is opened first?

  1. AThe flap closest to the nurse
  2. BWhichever side flap is easiest to reach
  3. CAll flaps at once
  4. DThe flap furthest away from the nurse
5.Medium

Why are some patients screened with a nasal swab for MRSA on admission?

  1. ATo check whether the patient is allergic to penicillin before surgery
  2. BTo find carriers so precautions or decolonization can be used
  3. CTo measure the patient’s immunity to MRSA
  4. DTo diagnose a sinus infection
6.Medium

Which household item is a strangulation risk for young children?

  1. AA plastic picture book
  2. BSoft cotton socks
  3. CLooped cords on window blinds
  4. DA large wooden building block
7.Hard

A patient asks for a pain tablet. The record shows none has been given, but the patient says, “The other nurse gave me one earlier.” What should the nurse do?

  1. ACheck with the other nurse and the records before giving another dose
  2. BGive half a tablet now, to be safe, and the other half later if needed
  3. CTell the patient they must be confused
  4. DGive the tablet, because the record shows none was given
8.Hard

A handwritten order reads “10U regular insulin subcut now”. What is the nurse’s best action?

  1. AGive 10 units without question, as written
  2. BAsk a nursing assistant to interpret the handwriting
  3. CGive 100 units, as the order seems to say
  4. DClarify the order, because “U” can be misread

Answer key

  1. 1. A · It can be misread as “IV” or as the number 10
  2. 2. A · Plan, Do, Study, Act
  3. 3. C · A previous fall
  4. 4. D · The flap furthest away from the nurse
  5. 5. B · To find carriers so precautions or decolonization can be used
  6. 6. C · Looped cords on window blinds
  7. 7. A · Check with the other nurse and the records before giving another dose
  8. 8. D · Clarify the order, because “U” can be misread

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