Infection control & patient safety worksheet with answers

What is the difference between an epidemic and a pandemic?

1. AAn epidemic is a disease that is always present at a low level
2. BA pandemic is an epidemic that spreads across several countries or continents
3. CAn epidemic always affects more people than a pandemic
4. DA pandemic is a disease that only affects animals and never spreads to people

Surgical instruments that enter sterile tissue are “critical” items. Which processing do they need before reuse?

1. ACleaning with detergent and water only
2. BHigh-level disinfection
3. CLow-level disinfection
4. DSterilization

Which procedure requires surgical asepsis (sterile technique)?

1. AMeasuring blood pressure on the upper arm
2. BGiving a bed bath
3. CInserting an indwelling urinary catheter
4. DGiving an oral medication through the mouth

Which IV fluid can be given with packed red blood cells in the same line?

1. A0.9% sodium chloride
2. BLactated Ringer’s (Hartmann’s) solution
3. C5% dextrose in 0.45% sodium chloride
4. D5% dextrose in water

Which measure reduces errors caused by interruptions during medication preparation?

1. AAnswering phone calls and pages while counting tablets, to save time
2. BPreparing medications for all patients at once
3. CA quiet “no interruption” zone or signal while preparing medications
4. DPreparing medications at the busiest place on the ward

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

1. ATemporal artery
2. BRectal
3. COral
4. DTympanic

A nurse picks up a heparin vial that contains 10 000 units/mL; the ward usually stocks 1000 units/mL vials. Why is extra care needed?

1. AUsing the more concentrated vial by mistake would give a tenfold overdose
2. BThe concentrated vial is safer, because less volume is drawn up
3. CHeparin concentration has no effect on safety
4. DBoth vial strengths can be swapped freely

A competent patient at high risk of falls insists on walking to the bathroom alone. What is the best nursing approach?

1. AApply wrist restraints so the patient stays in bed
2. BExplain the risks, agree on ways to reduce them, respect the decision and document
3. CTell the patient that walking alone is against hospital law
4. DRemove the patient’s shoes and walking aid so that they cannot walk alone