Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

The first small amount of sterile solution should be poured and discarded to minimize the risk of contamination. Option A is incorrect because any item that comes in contact with the sterile field should also be sterile. Option B is incorrect because sterile fields must be set up immediately prior to the procedure. Option D is incorrect because the nurse should open wrapped sterile packages starting with the flap furthest away from them to avoid reaching over the sterile field.

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?

Accepted Answer

Older adults may not present with typical signs and symptoms of pneumonia, such as fever and chills, but may instead show confusion. Hypotension and erythema may or may not be present and do not necessarily indicate pneumonia in older adults.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Inserting an intravenous catheter requires surgical aseptic technique, which involves creating a sterile field and using sterile equipment to prevent the introduction of pathogens into the patient's bloodstream. Placing soiled linen in moisture-resistant bags and disposing of syringes in puncture-proof containers are examples of standard precautions, while washing hands before changing a dressing is an example of hand hygiene.

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?

Accepted Answer

An elevated WBC count (normal range 4-11 x 106 cells/L) is an indicator of infection or inflammation. The normal range for neutrophils is 40-75%, and an elevation in this value, while it can be seen in an infectious process, is not a definitive indicator. Iron levels and ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) are not specific markers of infection.

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?

Accepted Answer

A release of histamine is a sign of an acute inflammatory process, as histamine is released by damaged cells and causes vasodilation and pain. Blanching of the skin would indicate vasoconstriction and decreased blood flow, which is not a sign of inflammation. A decrease in temperature at the site could indicate a decrease in blood flow or nerve damage, but it is not a direct sign of inflammation. A decrease in the number of white blood cells would actually be a negative sign, as the role of WBCs is to fight infection and inflammation.

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?

Accepted Answer

Dropping the packing on the patient's abdomen makes it non-sterile, and therefore, it cannot be used. The nurse should throw away the packing and prepare a new sterile packing to avoid the risk of introducing infection. A contaminated packing can put the patient at risk of developing a surgical site infection.

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?

Accepted Answer

Placing a Foley catheter bag on the bed can lead to contamination and increase the risk of a nosocomial infection, as it should be kept below the level of the bladder to prevent backflow and contamination.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

Checking results of laboratory tests is an assessment activity that helps in identifying any signs of infection or changes in the patient's condition related to lowered immunity.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

Basophils typically do not increase in number during infections; they are more involved in allergic reactions and parasitic infections.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

Droplet precautions are used for diseases that are spread through large respiratory droplets, such as influenza.

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?

Accepted Answer

Burns can compromise the skin barrier, which is an important defense against infection. Therefore, individuals with burns are more susceptible to infection.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

Hand hygiene is the single most important technique to prevent and control the transmission of infections. It is a simple, low-cost, and effective way to reduce the spread of infections in healthcare settings and the community. Hand hygiene includes washing hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Use of gloves, isolation precautions, and sterilization of equipment are additional measures but not as effective as hand hygiene in preventing the transmission of infections.

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?

Accepted Answer

Active tuberculosis is spread through airborne transmission, so airborne precautions are necessary to prevent the spread of the disease. This includes placing the patient in a negative pressure room, providing the patient with a mask to wear when outside of their room, and ensuring healthcare workers wear proper respiratory protection when in the patient's room. Droplet precautions are used for diseases spread via droplets, such as influenza. Contact precautions are used for diseases spread via direct contact, such as MRSA. Reverse isolation is used for patients who are immunocompromised to prevent exposure to infections from healthcare workers and others.

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?

Accepted Answer

The normal range for erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is typically 0-20 mm/hour for females. An ESR of 35 mm/hour is elevated and may indicate inflammation or other medical conditions.

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?

Accepted Answer

Changing soiled dressings helps to remove the source of infection, which is a reservoir for further spread of infection. Covering the mouth and nose when sneezing, wearing disposable gloves, and isolating the patient's articles are all measures to prevent the spread of infections but not specifically targeted to reducing the reservoir of infection.

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?

Accepted Answer

Isolation can lead to feelings of loneliness, which can have significant psychological implications for patients.

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?

Accepted Answer

Chickenpox is primarily transmitted through the air via respiratory droplets when an infected person sneezes or coughs.

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?

Accepted Answer

Hepatitis A is primarily spread through the fecal-oral route, so special care must be taken in the handling of feces to prevent its transmission. Blood is a concern for the transmission of other types of hepatitis, such as hepatitis B and C. Saliva and vaginal secretions are not major modes of transmission for hepatitis A.

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?

Accepted Answer

The answer of When implementing hand hygiene with soap and...

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

A vaginal speculum used for a Pap smear would be classified as a semicritical item because it comes into contact with mucous membranes but does not penetrate through them. Therefore, it requires high-level disinfection between uses.

Quiz 32: Infection Control