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

How should a nurse dispose of a used glass ampoule after drawing up a drug?

  1. AIn the general waste bin, wrapped in paper
  2. BIn a clinical waste bag
  3. CIn the glass recycling bin
  4. DIn a sharps container
2.Easy

In the CDC sequence that removes each item separately, which piece of PPE is taken off first?

  1. AGloves
  2. BGown
  3. CMask or respirator
  4. DGoggles or face shield
3.Easy

An adult’s platelet count is 40,000/mm3 (40 × 109/L). What does this mean?

  1. AA low count that only matters during surgery
  2. BA raised platelet count with a risk of clots
  3. CA normal platelet count for an adult
  4. DThrombocytopenia with a raised risk of bleeding
4.Medium

During a norovirus outbreak on a ward, which hand hygiene method should staff use after patient care?

  1. AWashing with soap and water
  2. BWiping hands on a paper towel only
  3. CAlcohol hand rub only
  4. DNo hand hygiene if gloves were worn
5.Medium

A peripheral IV site is red, warm and tender along the vein. What should the nurse do?

  1. AIncrease the infusion rate to finish the bag sooner
  2. BRemove the catheter and insert a new one at another site if still needed
  3. CFlush the catheter harder to clear the vein and keep using the same site
  4. DApply a warm pack and keep using the same site
6.Medium

A patient has severe neutropenia after chemotherapy. Which route for measuring temperature should be avoided?

  1. ATympanic
  2. BTemporal artery
  3. COral
  4. DRectal
7.Hard

Why can a patient with severe neutropenia have a serious infection but little redness, swelling or pus?

  1. AChemotherapy kills the bacteria before they can multiply
  2. BThere are too few neutrophils to produce the usual inflammatory signs
  3. CNeutropenia makes infections stay limited to the skin
  4. DAntibiotics given with chemotherapy hide all signs of infection
8.Hard

A patient takes medicines prescribed by several providers. Which advice best reduces the risk of medication errors at home?

  1. AOnly tell each provider about the drugs they prescribed
  2. BKeep one up-to-date list of all medicines and use one pharmacy where possible
  3. CKeep each provider’s medicines in separate bags
  4. DStop taking any medicine that seems to repeat another one, without asking anyone

Answer key

  1. 1. D · In a sharps container
  2. 2. A · Gloves
  3. 3. D · Thrombocytopenia with a raised risk of bleeding
  4. 4. A · Washing with soap and water
  5. 5. B · Remove the catheter and insert a new one at another site if still needed
  6. 6. D · Rectal
  7. 7. B · There are too few neutrophils to produce the usual inflammatory signs
  8. 8. B · Keep one up-to-date list of all medicines and use one pharmacy where possible

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