Question 1

A patient voids and asks to have the urinal emptied. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Accepted Answer

Before handling a patient's bodily fluids, it is essential for healthcare providers to protect themselves by wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, such as nonsterile gloves, to prevent the transmission of infections.

Question 2

The nurse is contributing to a staff education program about infection control. Which of the following information should the nurse recommend including as an example of a portal of exit for a pathogen in the chain of infection?

Accepted Answer

Mucous membranes, such as those in the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urinary tracts, can serve as a portal of exit for pathogens. The pathogen may be present in secretions, such as saliva or mucus, and can be spread through coughing, sneezing, or touching contaminated surfaces. The central nervous system, hair, and nails are not typically portals of exit for pathogens in the chain of infection.

Question 3

During data collection for a patient who has a surgical incision, which finding(s) may indicate a local infection? (Select all that apply.?

Accepted Answer

Redness and swelling at the site of a surgical incision are local signs of infection.

Question 4

The nurse is caring for a patient who is in droplet precautions. The nurse must wear a mask when providing care within what distance(s) of the patient? (Select all that apply.?

Accepted Answer

Direct transmission occurs through droplet spray into the eyes or mucous membranes during sneezing,coughing,spitting,singing,or talking.D.E.F.Droplet spread is usually limited to 3 feet or less.

Question 5

Which of the following diseases would the nurse recognize as being caused by a virus? (Select all that apply.?

Accepted Answer

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, measles is caused by the measles virus, and infectious mononucleosis is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. Gonorrhea is caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomoniasis is caused by a protozoan parasite, and Candida albicans is a type of yeast.

Question 6

The nurse is caring for a patient with tuberculosis. What airborne precautions should the nurse take while caring for this patient? (Select all that apply.?

Accepted Answer

Tuberculosis is an airborne disease, requiring specific precautions to prevent its spread. An individualized respiratory mask (such as an N95 respirator) ensures a proper fit for effective filtration of airborne particles. Keeping the patient's room door closed and placing the patient in a private room minimize the risk of airborne particles escaping and infecting others. A semiprivate room does not offer the same level of containment and could potentially expose another patient to tuberculosis.

Question 7

The nurse is caring for a patient with herpes simplex. Which of the following statements related to disease transmission would the nurse include in the patient's discharge teaching?

Accepted Answer

Herpes simplex is transmitted through direct transmission, such as through contact with infected skin lesions or mucous membranes. It is not an airborne disease, nor is HEPA filtration necessary. Vehicle transmission refers to transmission of disease through inanimate objects such as contaminated surfaces or needles, not through particles floating through the air.

Question 8

During data collection on a postoperative patient, which finding(s) are indicative of sepsis? (Select all that apply.?

Accepted Answer

Mental confusion, hypotension, and tachycardia are indicative of sepsis as they reflect systemic inflammatory response and poor perfusion.

Question 9

The nurse is contributing to a staff education program about infection control. What information from the following list should the nurse recommend including about methods that are effective in destroying bacterial spores?

Accepted Answer

Bacterial spores are extremely resilient and can survive under harsh conditions. The only method that is effective in destroying bacterial spores is prolonged exposure to high temperatures, typically achieved through autoclaving or sterilization. Brief exposure to room temperatures, cleansing with soap and water, and prolonged drying times are not effective in destroying bacterial spores.

Question 10

The nurse observes a patient being transported through the hall wearing a mask. The nurse recognizes the patient would have a need to wear a mask with which of the following medical diagnoses?

Accepted Answer

Measles is a viral infection that is spread through the air and can be prevented by wearing a mask. Cellulitis is not spread through the air and a mask is not necessary for treatment. Clostridium difficile is spread by contact with contaminated surfaces and does not typically require a mask. Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that is spread through respiratory droplets and can be prevented by wearing a mask, but it is a rare disease in developed countries due to vaccination.

Question 11

The nurse has contributed to a staff education program about the principles for the first tier of standard precautions. Which of the following statements by a nursing assistant would indicate a correct understanding of the teaching?

Accepted Answer

The correct understanding of the principles for the first tier of standard precautions includes the assumption that all patients are potentially infectious, even if they do not show any signs or symptoms of infection. Options A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not reflect the concept of universal precautions, which require healthcare workers to assume that every patient is capable of transmitting an infectious agent.

Question 12

The nurse is contributing to a staff education program about infection control. Which of the following diseases should the nurse recommend including as examples of diseases that are transmitted by direct contact? (Select all that apply.?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is contributing to a staff...

Question 13

When the possibility of splattering of body secretions exists, which of these items is most essential for the nurse to wear during patient care?

Accepted Answer

A face shield is most essential in preventing splattering of body secretions, as it protects the face and eyes from possible splatter. Gowns, caps, and shoe covers may also be necessary depending on the situation, but the face shield is the most important item for preventing direct contact with body fluids that may contain harmful pathogens.

Question 14

A patient is being discharged from the hospital with a prescription for erythromycin. The nurse is reinforcing teaching and should include which of the following about this medication? (Select all that apply.?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient is being discharged from the...

Question 15

The nurse is providing care for a patient with a known allergy to sulfamethaxazole (Gantanol). Which of the following medications does the nurse understand should also be avoided? (Select all that apply.?

Accepted Answer

Sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin) should be avoided as it is in the same drug class as sulfamethaxazole. Trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra) also contains sulfamethaxazole and should be avoided. Amoxicillin, doxycycline, ciprofloxacin, and levofloxacin are not in the same drug class as sulfamethaxazole and do not typically cross-react with sulfonamides.

Question 16

The nurse is caring for a patient who has influenza. The patient should be placed in which type of transmission-based precaution?

Accepted Answer

Influenza is primarily transmitted through droplets from the respiratory tract, so the patient should be placed in droplet precautions.

Quiz 8: Nursing Care of Patients With Infections