Infection control & patient safety worksheet with answers

A nurse notices that a medication is past its expiry date. What should the nurse do?

1. AGive it, if it is less than one month expired
2. BGive it, because medicines work for years after expiry
3. CGive a double dose to make up for lost strength
4. DNot give it, and return it according to policy

Which single measure is the most important for preventing the spread of infection in healthcare?

1. AKeeping windows closed
2. BPrescribing antibiotics to all patients
3. CWearing a mask at all times
4. DHand hygiene

What is medication reconciliation?

1. ACounting the controlled drugs with a colleague at the end of each shift
2. BReturning unused medicines to the pharmacy at discharge
3. CComparing current medicines with new orders at each transfer
4. DChecking expiry dates of the ward stock each month

During a surgical hand scrub, how are the hands held?

1. ABelow the elbows, so water runs off the fingertips into the sink
2. BAt the level of the waist, close to the body
3. CAbove the elbows, so water runs from the fingertips toward the elbows
4. DPointing downward into the sink at all times

A nurse wants to set up a sterile field in the morning for a procedure that will take place after lunch. What is correct?

1. ASet it up in the morning and ask a colleague to check it once
2. BSet it up just before the procedure, because a waiting field may become contaminated
3. CSet it up in the morning and cover it with a clean towel until the procedure starts
4. DSet it up in the morning and leave it uncovered in an empty room

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 IV catheter is removed, whatever its state
3. COnly when the patient asks for a new dressing
4. DWhen it is damp, loose or visibly soiled

While preparing an IV medication, a nurse sees that the syringe tip touched the medication tray after the cap came off. What should the nurse do?

1. ADiscard the syringe and prepare the dose again with new equipment
2. BGive the dose anyway, because the medication tray was cleaned this morning
3. CBlow on the tip to remove any dust
4. DWipe the tip with an alcohol swab and give the dose

A nurse finds that a patient has been taking their own sleeping pills from a bedside drawer while also receiving a hypnotic from the ward. What should the nurse do?

1. AThrow the patient’s pills away in the bin
2. BLet the patient keep them, since they are the patient’s own
3. CStop giving the hospital hypnotic without telling the provider or the pharmacy
4. DSecure the home medication per policy and inform the provider