Question 1

What is the likely mode of transmission for influenza?
A)Airborne
B)Bloodborne
C)Vector-borne
D)Sexual

Accepted Answer

Influenza is primarily transmitted through the air via droplets that are produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.

Question 2

What is a term to describe the way by which the pathogen leaves the body of the carrier?
A)Reservoir
B)Portal of entry
C)Portal of exit
D)Mode of transmission

Accepted Answer

The term "portal of exit" refers to the way a pathogen leaves the body of its host or carrier. This is a critical concept in understanding the transmission of infectious diseases, as it involves the route through which an infectious agent leaves the reservoir of infection.

Question 3

Which of the following terms best describes the virus, bacteria, fungus, rickettsia, or protozoan that causes a disease?
A)Causative agent
B)Reservoir
C)Source
D)Mode of transmission

Accepted Answer

A causative agent is the specific virus, bacteria, fungus, rickettsia, or protozoan that causes a disease, fitting the description provided.

Question 4

You are respiratory therapist working the night shift when you are called to the emergency department for a cardiac arrest. As you start to intubate the patient, you feel some type of liquid splatter in your right eye. Is there an exposure? Why or why not?
A)Yes. There is a portal of entry and a method of travel.
B)No. There is no portal of entry and no method of travel.
C)No. There is a portal of entry but no method of travel.
D)No. There is a method of travel, but no portal of entry.

Accepted Answer

The eye provides a portal of entry for pathogens, and the splatter acts as a method of travel, thus constituting an exposure.

Question 5

You are caring for a patient whom you later learn has tuberculosis. You were not wearing a respirator, but you were wearing gloves. Are you potentially exposed? Why or why not?
A)Yes. Because you have been in close quarters there is potential for exposure.
B)No. Unless the patient coughed on you it there is no potential for exposure.
C)No. If you are vaccinated there is no potential for exposure.
D)No. Since you were wearing gloves there is no potential for exposure.

Accepted Answer

Yes, because tuberculosis (TB) is an airborne disease, being in close quarters with someone who has TB puts you at risk of exposure, regardless of whether you were wearing gloves. Gloves protect against direct contact but not airborne particles.

Question 6

Which of the following is the most likely source for rabies?
A)Dog
B)Tick
C)Rusty nail
D)Undercooked chicken

Accepted Answer

Rabies is most commonly transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mammal, such as a dog. Ticks, rusty nails, and undercooked chicken do not transmit rabies.

Question 7

How many components are in the chain of infection?
A)4
B)5
C)6
D)7

Accepted Answer

The chain of infection consists of six components: the infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, means of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host.

Question 8

You are caring for a patient that has been in a fight and seemingly has blood everywhere. You have a cut on your right index finger, but it is covered with a bandage and you are wearing gloves. Is there an exposure? Why or why not?
A)Yes. You have both a portal of entry and a method of travel.
B)No. Wearing PPE automatically eliminates the potential for method of travel.
C)No. There is no portal of entry and no method of travel.
D)No. There is a method of travel but no portal of entry.

Accepted Answer

The gloves act as a barrier, preventing the blood from coming into direct contact with the cut on your finger, thus eliminating the portal of entry for any potential pathogens.

Question 9

Which of the following is the most likely source of tetanus?
A)Dog
B)Tick
C)Rusty nail
D)Undercooked chicken

Accepted Answer

Tetanus is caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, which is commonly found in soil, dust, and manure. The bacteria can enter the body through wounds, especially deep puncture wounds like those caused by stepping on a rusty nail. The association with rusty nails is not due to the rust itself, but because the conditions that cause rust (such as being outdoors, exposed to soil, etc.) are also conducive to the presence of the bacteria.

Question 10

You are positioning a motor vehicle collision patient on the X-ray table when blood from his clothing splatters in your eyes. Have you been exposed? Why or why not?
A)Yes. There is a portal of entry and a method of travel.
B)No. There is no portal of entry and no method of travel.
C)No. There is a portal of entry but no method of travel.
D)No. There is a method of travel, but no portal of entry.

Accepted Answer

Yes, there has been an exposure because the mucous membranes of the eyes serve as a portal of entry for pathogens, and the blood splatter acts as a method of travel for these pathogens from the source to the host.

Question 11

What term best describes the method through which the agent is transferred from the source to the susceptible host?
A)Portal of entry
B)Reservoir
C)Mode of transmission
D)Portal of exit

Accepted Answer

The term "mode of transmission" specifically refers to the mechanism by which an infectious agent is transferred from a reservoir to a susceptible host, making it the correct choice.

Question 12

Which of the following has the LEAST potential for a portal of entry?
A)Punctures from needlesticks
B)Dry, cracked skin
C)Absorption through mucous membranes
D)Absorption through intact skin

Accepted Answer

Absorption through intact skin has the least potential for a portal of entry for pathogens because the skin acts as a strong barrier to most infectious agents when it is intact and healthy.

Question 13

Which of the following has the MOST potential for exposure?
A)Needlestick with a contaminated needle
B)Needlestick with an unused needle
C)Blood splattered on gloved hands
D)Blood splattered on a gown

Accepted Answer

Needlestick injuries with a contaminated needle have the highest potential for exposure to bloodborne pathogens, making them a significant concern in healthcare settings. Unused needles, blood on gloved hands, or on a gown pose significantly lower risks due to protective barriers or the absence of direct inoculation.

Question 14

For an exposure to take place, what must find its way into the body of the exposed person?
A)Reservoir
B)Causative agent
C)Mode of transmission
D)Portal of entry

Accepted Answer

The causative agent, such as a virus or bacteria, must enter the body for an exposure to occur.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a link in the chain of infection?
A)Causative agent
B)Susceptible host
C)Reservoir
D)Vaccination

Accepted Answer

Vaccination is not a link in the chain of infection; instead, it is a method to break the chain by providing immunity to the host against the causative agent.

Question 16

You are working in the ICU when blood from a chest tube is splattered in your face. You are wearing full face protection and a gown. The blood splatters on your intact skin. Is there an exposure? Why or why not?
A)Yes. There is a portal of entry and a method of travel.
B)No. There is no portal of entry and no method of travel.
C)No. There is a portal of entry but no method of travel.
D)No. There is a method of travel, but no portal of entry.

Accepted Answer

The answer of You are working in the ICU when...

Question 17

Which of the following terms best describes the place where the agent resides and grows?
A)Causative agent
B)Mode of transmission
C)Reservoir
D)Susceptible host

Accepted Answer

The term "reservoir" best describes the place where the agent resides and grows, serving as the source from which other individuals can be infected.

Question 18

Dr. Peter Edwards is caring for a patient when the patient vomits on the doctor's lab coat. Is there an exposure? Why or why not?
A)Yes. Because there is a method of travel and a portal of entry.
B)Yes. Because the doctor is in close quarters with the patient.
C)No. There is no method of travel.
D)No. There is no portal of entry.

Accepted Answer

There is no portal of entry because the vomit on the lab coat does not directly contact the doctor's mucous membranes or open skin, which are necessary for an exposure to occur.

Question 19

You are at the local park with your children when a child falls off a slide and breaks his wrist. While you do not have any PPE you help care for the child. There is heavy bruising but no external bleeding. Has there been an exposure? Why or why not?
A)Yes. There is a portal of entry and a method of travel.
B)No. There is no portal of entry and no method of travel.
C)No. There is a portal of entry but no method of travel.
D)No. There is a method of travel, but no portal of entry.

Accepted Answer

There is no exposure because, despite the injury, there is no external bleeding, meaning there is no portal of entry (such as a cut on your skin) for any potential pathogens to enter your body, nor is there a method of travel (like blood or other bodily fluids) that could transmit pathogens.

Question 20

You are walking into the emergency department to start your shift when you see a car pull up with a woman in labor. As you start to help the woman move to a wheelchair her water breaks and you get some of the amniotic fluid on your uniform. Your skin is intact. Is there an exposure. Why or why not?
A)Yes. There is a portal of entry and a method of travel.
B)No. There is no portal of entry and no method of travel.
C)No. There is a portal of entry but no method of travel.
D)No. There is a method of travel, but no portal of entry.

Accepted Answer

The answer of You are walking into the emergency department...

Quiz 7: Exposure Determination

What is the likely mode of transmission for influenza?

What is a term to describe the way by which the pathogen leaves the body of the carrier?

Which of the following terms best describes the virus, bacteria, fungus, rickettsia, or protozoan that causes a disease?

You are respiratory therapist working the night shift when you are called to the emergency department for a cardiac arrest. As you start to intubate the patient, you feel some type of liquid splatter in your right eye. Is there an exposure? Why or why not?

You are caring for a patient whom you later learn has tuberculosis. You were not wearing a respirator, but you were wearing gloves. Are you potentially exposed? Why or why not?

Which of the following is the most likely source for rabies?

How many components are in the chain of infection?

You are caring for a patient that has been in a fight and seemingly has blood everywhere. You have a cut on your right index finger, but it is covered with a bandage and you are wearing gloves. Is there an exposure? Why or why not?

Which of the following is the most likely source of tetanus?

You are positioning a motor vehicle collision patient on the X-ray table when blood from his clothing splatters in your eyes. Have you been exposed? Why or why not?

What term best describes the method through which the agent is transferred from the source to the susceptible host?

Which of the following has the LEAST potential for a portal of entry?

Which of the following has the MOST potential for exposure?

For an exposure to take place, what must find its way into the body of the exposed person?

Which of the following is NOT a link in the chain of infection?

You are working in the ICU when blood from a chest tube is splattered in your face. You are wearing full face protection and a gown. The blood splatters on your intact skin. Is there an exposure? Why or why not?

Which of the following terms best describes the place where the agent resides and grows?

Dr. Peter Edwards is caring for a patient when the patient vomits on the doctor's lab coat. Is there an exposure? Why or why not?

You are at the local park with your children when a child falls off a slide and breaks his wrist. While you do not have any PPE you help care for the child. There is heavy bruising but no external bleeding. Has there been an exposure? Why or why not?

You are walking into the emergency department to start your shift when you see a car pull up with a woman in labor. As you start to help the woman move to a wheelchair her water breaks and you get some of the amniotic fluid on your uniform. Your skin is intact. Is there an exposure. Why or why not?