Deck 32: Infection Control

Question 1

The nurse recognizes the appropriate procedures for sterile asepsis.Of the following,which action is consistent with sterile asepsis?

A) Clean forceps may be used to move items on the sterile field.
B) Sterile fields may be prepared well in advance of the procedures.
C) The first small amount of sterile solution should be poured and discarded.
D) Wrapped sterile packages should be opened starting with the flap closest to the nurse.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

The nurse suspects that an older adult patient may have pneumonia.Older adult patients may react differently to infectious processes,so the nurse is alert to atypical signs and symptoms,such as which one of the following?

A) Hypotension
B) Confusion
C) Erythema
D) Chills

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Which one of the following indicates that the nurse is using surgical aseptic technique?

A) Inserting an intravenous catheter
B) Placing soiled linen in moisture-resistant bags
C) Disposing of syringes in puncture-proof containers
D) Washing hands before changing a dressing

Answer 3

A

Question 4

While working with patients in the postoperative period,the nurse is very alert to the results of laboratory tests.Which of the following results is indicative of an infectious process?

A) Iron, 80 g/100 mL
B) Neutrophils, 65%
C) WBCs, 16 ´ 106 cells/L
D) ESR, 15 mm/hour

Question 5

The patient has a 15-cm laceration on his right forearm,and an infection develops.Which of the following is a sign of an acute inflammatory process?

A) A blanching of the skin
B) A decrease in temperature at the site
C) A decrease in the number of white blood cells (WBCs)
D) A release of histamine that adds to the pain response

Question 6

The patient has a large,deep abdominal incision that requires a dressing.The incision is packed with sterile 1.75-cm packing and covered with a dry,10 ´ 10-cm gauze.When changing the dressing,the nurse accidentally drops the packing onto the patient's abdomen.Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A) Add alcohol to the packing and insert it into the incision.
B) Throw the packing away, and prepare a new one.
C) Pick up the packing with sterile forceps, and gently place it into the incision.
D) Rinse the packing with sterile water, and put the packing into the incision with sterile gloves.

Question 7

The nurse is observing a new staff member work with the patient.Of the following activities,which one has the greatest possibility of contributing to a nosocomial infection and requires correction?

A) Washing hands before applying a dressing
B) Taping a plastic bag to the bed rail for tissue disposal
C) Placing a Foley catheter bag on the bed when transferring a patient
D) Using alcohol to cleanse the skin before starting an intravenous line

Question 8

Which of the following is an appropriate assessment activity for the nursing diagnosis,Risk for infection related to lowered immunity?

A) Wash hands frequently.
B) Institute protective isolation.
C) Practise medical asepsis.
D) Check results of laboratory tests.

Question 9

With which of the following WBC types would the nurse anticipate a normal laboratory value,even though the patient has an infection?

A) Basophils
B) Monocytes
C) Eosinophils
D) Lymphocytes

Question 10

Droplet precautions will be instituted for the patient admitted to the infectious disease unit with which of the following conditions?

A) Influenza
B) Clostridium difficile infection
C) Pulmonary tuberculosis
D) Measles

Question 11

The nurse works in a small rural hospital with a wide variety of patients.Of the patients admitted this afternoon,the nurse recognizes that the individual with which of the following conditions is most susceptible to infection?

A) Burns
B) Diabetes
C) Pulmonary emphysema
D) Peripheral vascular disease

Question 12

Which of the following is the single most important technique to prevent and control the transmission of infections?

A) Hand hygiene
B) The use of disposable gloves
C) Isolation precautions
D) Sterilization of equipment

Question 13

A patient with active tuberculosis is admitted to the medical centre.The nurse recognizes that which of the following types of precautions will be required upon admission of this patient?

A) Airborne precautions
B) Droplet precautions
C) Contact precautions
D) Reverse isolation

Question 14

A female patient has been undergoing diagnostic testing since admission to the hospital's medical unit.The results of blood testing are sent back to the unit.On reviewing the following results,the nurse will report which one as abnormal to the physician?

A) Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), 35 mm/hour
B) White blood cells (WBCs), 7 ´ 109 cells/L
C) Neutrophils, 65%
D) Iron, 75 g/100 mL

Question 15

The nurse is aware that it is important to break the chain of infection.Which of the following is an example of a nursing intervention implemented to reduce a reservoir of infection for a patient?

A) Covering the mouth and nose when sneezing
B) Wearing disposable gloves
C) Isolating the patient's articles
D) Changing soiled dressings

Question 16

The nurse shows an understanding of the psychological implications of isolation on patients when she plans care to control the risk of which one of the following?

A) Denial
B) Aggression
C) Regression
D) Loneliness

Question 17

The parent of a preschool child asks the nurse how chickenpox (caused by the varicella-zoster virus)is transmitted.The nurse explains which of the following about the virus?

A) It is carried by a vector organism.
B) It is carried through the air in droplets after sneezing or coughing.
C) It is transmitted through person-to-person contact.
D) It is acquired through contact with contaminated objects.

Question 18

The nurse recognizes that special care must be taken in the handling of which of the following bodily fluids to prevent the transmission of hepatitis A?

A) Blood
B) Feces
C) Saliva
D) Vaginal secretions

Question 19

When implementing hand hygiene with soap and water,the nurse washes his or her hands,using plenty of lather and friction,for at least how many seconds?

A) 10 to 15
B) 20 to 30
C) 30 to 45
D) 45 to 60

Question 20

A vaginal speculum used for a Pap smear would be classified into which sterilization category?

A) Critical item
B) Semicritical item
C) Noncritical item
D) Not classified within the sterilization categories

Question 21

Which of the following is true in regard to documentation of hand hygiene?

A) Presence of dermatitis should be documented.
B) Document use of soap versus alcohol-based solution.
C) It is not necessary to record anything about hand hygiene.
D) Evaluate the handwashing facilities available if they are inadequate.

Question 22

Which of the following stages of infection is characterized by the onset of nonspecific signs and symptoms progressing to more specific symptoms?

A) Illness stage
B) Prodromal stage
C) Incubation period
D) Convalescence