Infection control & patient safety worksheet with answers

Why is the symbol “µg” avoided in medication orders?

1. AIt can be misread as “mg”, giving a dose a thousand times too high
2. BIt means “units per gram” in some countries
3. CIt is the symbol for micrograms of alcohol and is only used in laboratory reports
4. DIt can only be used for intravenous drugs

When is eye protection part of standard precautions?

1. AWhen splashes or sprays of blood or body fluids are likely
2. BOnly in the operating room
3. COnly when caring for a patient who has an eye infection such as conjunctivitis
4. DOnly when the patient is on airborne precautions

For which of these viruses is there no vaccine available?

1. AHepatitis A
2. BHepatitis B
3. CHepatitis C
4. DMeasles

A woman who is pregnant asks for the MMR vaccine because she is not immune to rubella. What is correct?

1. AMMR is a live vaccine and is not given during pregnancy, but can be given after delivery
2. BMMR is only given to pregnant women who work in hospitals
3. CMMR is safe at any stage of pregnancy
4. DMMR should be given as soon as possible in the first trimester to protect the baby

A patient has patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). A family member presses the button while the patient sleeps. What should the nurse explain?

1. AThe pump will always stop any overdose
2. BOnly the patient should press it, because this keeps the system safe
3. CFamily can press it as long as they count the presses
4. DPressing it while the patient sleeps prevents the pain from getting worse later

A patient is receiving opioids for pain. Which sign usually comes before opioid-induced respiratory depression?

1. ADiarrhea
2. BRising blood pressure
3. CIncreasing sedation
4. DDilated pupils

In a mass-casualty incident with limited resources, why may a critically injured patient with little chance of survival receive care after others?

1. ACritical patients are always treated last in every situation, even outside disasters
2. BPatients are treated in the order they arrive
3. CThe most severely injured are never given comfort care
4. DResources go first to those most likely to survive with treatment

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

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