Infection control & patient safety worksheet with answers

Which procedure requires surgical asepsis (sterile technique)?

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

What is closed-loop communication?

1. ACommunication that only happens in a closed room
2. BThe receiver repeats the message back and the sender confirms it is correct
3. CWriting every message in the patient’s chart only
4. DSending a message to the team without waiting for any reply or confirmation

What is an adverse event in patient safety?

1. AHarm to a patient caused by health care, not by the illness
2. BA complaint from a patient about the hospital food
3. CAn error that is noticed before it reaches the patient
4. DA side effect that is listed and explained before treatment

Which practice with medication vials and syringes is safe?

1. AUsing the same syringe for two patients if it is flushed
2. BUsing a new sterile needle and syringe every time a vial is entered
3. CReusing a syringe if a new needle is attached
4. DLeaving a needle in the vial’s stopper for later use

How tight should a wrist restraint be?

1. ALoose enough to fit two fingers between the restraint and the skin
2. BLoose enough for the patient’s hand to slip out
3. CTight enough to slow the pulse at the wrist
4. DAs tight as possible so the patient cannot move the arm

A colleague has drawn up a medication and asks the nurse to give it to her patient. What should the nurse do?

1. AGive it, because the colleague is experienced
2. BGive it, and document that the colleague prepared it
3. CGive it, as long as the syringe has a label with the drug name on it
4. DDecline, and give only medications that the nurse prepared or checked personally

A nursing student describes how they remove PPE (gown, gloves and a mask worn for splash protection) at the doorway before leaving a contact precautions room. Which statement shows a need for further teaching?

1. A“I remove my gloves without touching the outside with my bare hand.”
2. B“I take off my mask first, and then I take off my gloves.”
3. C“I roll the gown inward as I take it off.”
4. D“I clean my hands as soon as all the PPE is off.”

Who should mark the operative site before surgery?

1. AThe patient, alone, using a marker pen at home on the night before surgery
2. BAny member of the operating room team after anesthesia starts
3. CThe admitting clerk, using the information written on the consent form
4. DThe person who will perform the procedure, with the patient involved where possible