Question 1

Proper hand-washing technique requires that a nurse wash for at least&#10;A) 1 minute.&#10;B) 30 seconds.&#10;C) 45 seconds.&#10;D) 20 seconds.&#10;

Accepted Answer

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), proper hand-washing technique requires washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Question 2

To help reduce hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), the nurse's first priority is to&#10;A) Provide small bedside bags to dispose of used tissues.&#10;B) Administer antibiotics as ordered.&#10;C) Perform strict hand washing before and after care of each patient.&#10;D) Instruct each staff member to wear a mask while providing care.&#10;

Accepted Answer

Strict hand washing is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infection in a hospital setting. Providing bedside bags, administering antibiotics, and wearing masks are all important measures, but hand hygiene is the foundation for preventing HAIs.

Question 3

An instructor explains factors that can influence the body's ability to defend itself against infection. A student shows a need for additional instruction by saying:&#10;A) &#34;In elderly individuals, the immune system gradually decreases in effectiveness, leaving them more vulnerable to invading pathogens.&#34;&#10;B) &#34;Toxicity from chemicals can impair the body's ability to fight infection.&#34;&#10;C) &#34;A diet that is lacking in fruits and vegetables can negatively affect the body's defenses.&#34;&#10;D) &#34;Mucous membranes can provide a portal for microorganisms to bypass the body's defenses and enter the body.&#34;&#10;

Accepted Answer

Mucous membranes act as a barrier to infection rather than providing a portal for microorganisms to enter the body. They are part of the body's first line of defense against pathogens, trapping and helping to eliminate them before they can cause infection.

Question 4

A student nurse was overheard talking about maintaining a safe and clean environment. A nurse realizes that the student has a strong understanding when the student says:&#10;A) &#34;It is not necessary to disinfect equipment unless it comes in direct contact with the patient.&#34;&#10;B) &#34;It is housekeeping's job to empty the bedside commode.&#34;&#10;C) &#34;Disinfection will eliminate all viruses and spore-forming bacteria.&#34;&#10;D) &#34;Even though that blood has dried, some viruses may still be present.&#34;&#10;

Accepted Answer

This statement shows that the student understands the concept of bloodborne pathogens and the importance of proper cleaning and disinfection. It demonstrates a recognition that even when blood has dried, there is still a risk of infection from certain pathogens. The other choices listed do not demonstrate a strong understanding of infection control principles.

Question 5

An instructor is explaining various types of infections. A student demonstrates understanding by saying:&#10;A) &#34;An infection that is acquired while the patient is being cared for in a health-care setting is known as a health-care-associated infection.&#34;&#10;B) &#34;If a person has an infection in just one area of the body, it is described as a primary infection.&#34;&#10;C) &#34;If a second infection is caused by a different pathogen, it becomes a systemic infection.&#34;&#10;D) &#34;If an infection spreads from the lungs to other organs, it becomes a secondary infection.&#34;&#10;

Accepted Answer

The statement accurately describes a health-care-associated infection, which is acquired in a health-care setting.

Answer: B 
 The statement accurately describes a primary infection, which is localized to one area of the body.

Answer: C 
 The statement accurately describes a secondary infection, which is caused by a different pathogen than the primary infection.

Answer: D 
 The statement inaccurately describes a secondary infection, which is an infection that occurs during or after treatment for another infection, not necessarily as a result of spread to other organs.

Question 6

Standard precautions are required when&#10;A) An infection is spread by indirect contact with an organism.&#10;B) Caring for any patient, regardless of whether an infection has been identified.&#10;C) A pathogen can spread via moist droplets.&#10;D) An infection that is transmitted on air currents is present.&#10;

Accepted Answer

Standard precautions are a set of infection control practices that should be used with all patients to prevent the spread of infection, regardless of whether an infection has been identified. These practices include hand hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment (such as gloves and masks), and environmental controls (such as cleaning and disinfection). While indirect contact, moist droplets, and air currents can all be routes of transmission for infections, standard precautions are still required regardless of the specific mode of transmission.

Question 7

An elderly patient has acquired a urinary tract infection due to an inserted catheter during hospitalization. A nurse identifies that this infection is caused by a type of pathogen known as&#10;A) Protozoa.&#10;B) Helminths.&#10;C) Bacteria.&#10;D) A virus.&#10;

Accepted Answer

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are most commonly caused by bacteria, which can enter the urethra and travel up to the bladder and other parts of the urinary tract. Catheterization increases the risk of infection by providing a direct pathway for bacteria to enter the bladder. Protozoa and helminths are not typical causes of UTIs. Viruses can cause urinary tract infections, but they are less common than bacterial infections.

Question 8

The staff is caring for a patient with a wound contaminated with methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The proper contact precautions would be to&#10;A) Instruct all visitors to be fitted for a special mask that should be worn when entering the patient's room.&#10;B) Don a clean gown and gloves each time the patient's room is entered and care is provided.&#10;C) Place the patient in a room with another patient who requires droplet precautions.&#10;D) Notify the supervisor that the patient should be transferred to a negative-pressure room.&#10;

Accepted Answer

The proper contact precautions for a patient with a wound contaminated with MRSA is to don a clean gown and gloves each time the patient's room is entered and care is provided. This is to prevent the spread of MRSA to other patients and healthcare workers through direct contact. Instructing all visitors to wear special masks or placing the patient in a room with another patient who requires droplet precautions is not necessary or effective in preventing the spread of MRSA. Transferring the patient to a negative-pressure room may be necessary if the patient has other infectious diseases that require isolation precautions, but it is not the proper contact precautions for MRSA.

Question 9

A young adult female patient has been diagnosed with a yeast infection. A nurse identifies that this is a type of pathogen known as&#10;A) Fungi.&#10;B) Protozoa.&#10;C) A virus.&#10;D) Bacteria.&#10;

Accepted Answer

Yeast infections are caused by a type of fungus, known as Candida. Therefore, the correct answer is fungi. Protozoa are single-celled organisms that can cause infections, viruses are not organisms themselves but are infectious agents that require a host cell to reproduce, and bacteria are a separate type of microorganism that can also cause infections but are different from fungi.

Question 10

After several weeks alone, a patient on transmission-based precautions is feeling secluded. The nurse can help alleviate these feelings by&#10;A) Offering to bring the patient a newspaper or magazine.&#10;B) Spending some time talking with the patient while in the room.&#10;C) Remembering that patients are people first, and that their diagnoses are secondary.&#10;D) All of the above.&#10;

Accepted Answer

All of the above options are appropriate ways for the nurse to help alleviate the patient's feelings of seclusion. Bringing a newspaper or magazine can provide the patient with some distraction and entertainment, while spending time talking with the patient can provide companionship and social interaction. Additionally, remembering that patients are people first and not defined solely by their diagnoses can help the nurse approach the patient with empathy and sensitivity.

Question 11

An instructor explains that the microorganism Rickettsia rickettsii causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever. A student demonstrates understanding of the subject by stating:&#10;A) &#34;Rocky Mountain spotted fever is spread by ticks.&#34;&#10;B) &#34;Rocky Mountain spotted fever is caused by eating undercooked ground meat.&#34;&#10;C) &#34;Rocky Mountain spotted fever is caused by spores that live in dead tissue.&#34;&#10;D) &#34;Rocky Mountain spotted fever can lie dormant in nerve endings for years.&#34;&#10;

Accepted Answer

The answer of An instructor explains that the microorganism Rickettsia...

Question 12

The nurse recognizes that a symptom that may indicate the presence of pinworms would be&#10;A) Blurred vision.&#10;B) Anal itching.&#10;C) Muscle cramps.&#10;D) Ringing in the ears.&#10;

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse recognizes that a symptom that...

Question 13

A patient presents with severe bloody diarrhea and abscesses in the liver and brain. The patient is diagnosed with amebic dysentery, probably caused by&#10;A) The ingestion of protozoa.&#10;B) Fungi.&#10;C) Helminths.&#10;D) Bacteria.&#10;

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient presents with severe bloody diarrhea...

Question 14

A nurse is caring for a patient with a fever of 103.2&#176;F whose wife asks, &#34;Why does his body get so hot like that?&#34; The nurse's best response is:&#10;A) &#34;Actually, a fever is often what makes people seek medical help.&#34;&#10;B) &#34;A fever is the body's way of creating an environment that is harmful to germs.&#34;&#10;C) &#34;It is frustrating that his fever is still high when I gave him Tylenol 10 minutes ago.&#34;&#10;D) &#34;I think the fever is still up because the antibiotics haven't had time to work yet.&#34;&#10;

Accepted Answer

The answer of A nurse is caring for a patient...

Question 15

The mother of a child with a viral infection is demanding that you give the child an antibiotic to treat the infection. The best response to a request of this type would be to say:&#10;A) &#34;Please remain patient. I will ask the doctor to write you a prescription.&#34;&#10;B) &#34;Antibiotics would not be effective against a viral infection.&#34;&#10;C) &#34;I cannot suggest antibiotics unless the child's fever exceeds 102&#176;F.&#34;&#10;D) &#34;A virus is caused by a microorganism and must be treated with anthelmintics.&#34;&#10;

Accepted Answer

The answer of The mother of a child with a...

Question 16

The nurse recognizes that the most common way for microorganisms to spread is through&#10;A) The air.&#10;B) Indirect contact.&#10;C) A droplet.&#10;D) Direct contact.&#10;

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse recognizes that the most common...

Question 17

An intervention on the part of a nursing instructor would be required if&#10;A) A student dons a gown and gloves before entering the room of a patient on contact precautions.&#10;B) A student ties the lower strings of a mask up on the head.&#10;C) A student performs hand washing immediately after removing his or her gloves.&#10;D) A student performs hand washing before touching the tubes connected to a patient.&#10;

Accepted Answer

The answer of An intervention on the part of a...

Question 18

An instructor is teaching students about caring for a patient diagnosed with Clostridium difficile. The instructor identifies that further teaching is required when a student says:&#10;A) &#34;I should wear gloves while treating this type of patient.&#34;&#10;B) &#34;I should wash my hands with alcohol-based hand gel after treating the patient.&#34;&#10;C) &#34;Clostridium difficile is an example of a multiple-drug-resistant organism.&#34;&#10;D) &#34;Visitors should put on gowns, gloves, and perhaps masks before entering the room.&#34;&#10;

Accepted Answer

The answer of An instructor is teaching students about caring...

Question 19

Normal flora is best defined as&#10;A) Small bacteria that are found in the environment.&#10;B) Germs that exist on the surface of inanimate objects.&#10;C) Microorganisms that are found normally in the human body.&#10;D) A virus and other pathogens that are harmless to humans.&#10;

Accepted Answer

The answer of Normal flora is best defined as&#10;A) Small...

Question 20

The individual admitted to the hospital who is at the greatest risk for acquiring a hospital-acquired infection is&#10;A) A 2-month-old infant with a head injury from being dropped.&#10;B) A 10-year-old with a hairline fracture from sliding into third base.&#10;C) A 6-year-old who fell off the monkey bars and has three broken ribs.&#10;D) A 17-year-old with an elevated blood alcohol level.&#10;

Accepted Answer

The answer of The individual admitted to the hospital who...

Question 21

An instructor explains that for an infection to spread from one person to another, a chain of events must occur. The instructor states that which of the following are considered "links" in the chain of infection?

A) Skin
B) Portal of entry
C) Elevated temperature
D) Susceptible host
E) Decreased defenses

Accepted Answer

The answer of An instructor explains that for an infection...

Question 22

A patient is admitted to the hospital with tuberculosis. Before providing care, which of the following personal protective equipment should be worn?&#10;A) N95 or higher respirator&#10;B) Shoe covers&#10;C) Gown&#10;D) Eye protection&#10;E) Gloves&#10;

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient is admitted to the hospital...

Question 23

A nurse is donning gloves for contact isolation. Place the following steps in the correct chronological order (1-5). (Enter the number of each step in the proper sequence, do not use commas).
1. Pull glove on nondominant hand.
2. Pull sleeve edges down over proximal part of the hand.
3. Pull glove cuff over the wrist.
4. Pull glove on dominant hand.
5. Perform hand hygiene.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A nurse is donning gloves for contact...

Question 24

A nurse enters a room to assist a patient who has used the bedside commode. The nurse washes the patient's hands, puts on clean gloves, assists the patient in cleaning the genital area, and then assists the patient into bed. The nurse then empties, rinses, and replaces the pan of the bedside commode. The nurse removes the gloves and washes his or her hands. The student nurse identifies this process as an example of

A) Surgical asepsis.
B) Medical asepsis.
C) Sterile technique.
D) Primary defenses.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A nurse enters a room to assist...

Question 25

A patient has been diagnosed with septicaemia, a condition where microorganisms are present and multiplying in the blood. A nurse identifies this condition as a&#10;A) Nosocomial infection.&#10;B) Secondary infection.&#10;C) Systemic infection.&#10;D) Health-care-associated infection.&#10;

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient has been diagnosed with septicaemia,...

Question 26

Specialized white blood cells called lymphocytes that fight infection either as B cells or T cells circulate in the blood, searching for invading pathogens. A nurse identifies that these types of cells represent

A) Primary defenses.
B) Secondary defenses.
C) Tertiary defenses.
D) Systemic defenses.
Multiple Response
Identify one or more choices that best complete the statement or answer the question.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Specialized white blood cells called lymphocytes that...

Question 27

A nurse should perform hand washing after doing which of the following?&#10;A) Donning gloves&#10;B) Returning from lunch break&#10;C) Entering a patient room&#10;D) Removing gloves&#10;E) Touching body fluids&#10;

Accepted Answer

The answer of A nurse should perform hand washing after...

Question 28

Patients and health-care staff may react to the latex present in some gloves and other health-care supplies. A nurse should be aware of which of the following possible reactions?&#10;A) Irritant dermatitis&#10;B) Fungal infection&#10;C) Hypersensitivity&#10;D) Allergic response&#10;E) Bacterial infection&#10;

Accepted Answer

The answer of Patients and health-care staff may react to...

Question 29

A nurse is providing care for a patient who requires standard precautions. Place the following steps of patient care in the appropriate order (1-6). (Enter the number of each step in the proper sequence, do not use commas).
1. Empty bedside commode.
2. Wash hands.
3. Remove gloves.
4. Don clean gloves.
5. Wash hands again.
6. Assist patient from bedside commode to bed.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A nurse is providing care for a...

Question 30

Which of the following indicates a fungal infection?&#10;A) Cloudy yellow urine&#10;B) Painful, swollen joints&#10;C) Red, round, itchy patches on the skin or scalp&#10;D) Open, weeping pustules on the abdomen&#10;E) Athlete's foot&#10;

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following indicates a fungal...

Deck 14: Medical Asepsis and Infection Control