Question 1

The nurse on the surgical team and the surgeon have completed a surgery. After donning gloves, gathering instruments, and placing in the transport carrier, what is the next step in handling the instruments used during the procedure?

Accepted Answer

A)   Sending to central sterile for cleaning and sterilization
B)   Sending to central sterile for cleaning and disinfection
C)   Sending to central sterile for cleaning and boiling
D)   Sending to central sterile for cleaning A

Question 2

The nurse is changing linens for a postoperative patient and feels a prick in the left hand. A nonactivated safe needle is noted in the linens. For which condition is the nurse most at risk?

Accepted Answer

A)   Diphtheria
B)   Hepatitis B
C)   Clostridium difficile
D)   Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus B

Question 3

The nurse is caring for a patient in an intensive care unit who needs a bath. Which priority action will the nurse take to decrease the potential for a health care-associated infection?

Accepted Answer

A)   Use local anesthetic on reddened areas.
B)   Use nonallergenic tape on dressings.
C)   Use a chlorhexidine wash.
D)   Use filtered water. C

Question 4

The infection control nurse is reviewing data for the medical-surgical unit. The nurse notices an increase in postoperative infections from Aspergillus. Which type of health care-associated infection will the nurse report?

Accepted Answer

A)   Vector
B)   Exogenous
C)   Endogenous
D)   Suprainfection

Question 5

The patient experienced a surgical procedure, and Betadine was utilized as the surgical prep. Two days postoperatively, the nurse's assessment indicates that the incision is red and has a small amount of purulent drainage. The patient reports tenderness at the incision site. The patient's temperature is 100.5° F, and the WBC is 10,500/mm³. Which action should the nurse take first?

Accepted Answer

A)   Plan to change the surgical dressing during the shift.
B)   Utilize SBAR to notify the primary health care provider.
C)   Reevaluate the temperature and white blood cell count in 4 hours.
D)   Check to see what solution was used for skin preparation in surgery.

Question 6

The nurse and the student nurse are caring for two different patients on the medical-surgical unit. One patient is in airborne precautions, and one is in contact precautions. The nurse explains to the student different interventions for care. Which information will the nurse include in the teaching session? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)   Dispose of supplies to prevent the spread of microorganisms.
B)   Wash hands before entering and leaving both of the patients' rooms.
C)   Be consistent in nursing interventions since there is only one difference in the precautions.
D)   Apply the knowledge the nurse has of the disease process to prevent the spread of microorganisms.
E)   Have patients in airborne precautions wear a mask during transportation to other departments.F)  Check the working order of the negative-pressure room for the airborne precaution patient on admission and at discharge.

Question 7

The nurse is caring for a patient in protective environment. Which actions will the nurse take? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)   Wear an N95 respirator when entering the patient's room.
B)   Maintain airflow rate greater than 12 air exchanges/hr.
C)   Place in special room with negative-pressure airflow.
D)   Open drapes during the daytime.
E)   Listen to the patient's interests.F)  Place dried flowers in a plastic vase.

Question 8

The nurse is caring for a group of patients. Which patient will the nurse see first?

Accepted Answer

A)   A patient with Clostridium difficile in droplet precautions
B)   A patient with tuberculosis in airborne precautions
C)   A patient with MRSA infection in contact precautions
D)   A patient with a lung transplant in protective environment precautions

Question 9

The nurse is caring for a patient who needs a protective environment. The nurse has provided the care needed and is now leaving the room. In which order will the nurse remove the personal protective equipment, beginning with the first step?
1) Remove eyewear/face shield and goggles.
2) Perform hand hygiene, leave room, and close door.
3) Remove gloves.
4) Untie gown, allow gown to fall from shoulders, and do not touch outside of gown; dispose of properly.
5) Remove mask by strings; do not touch outside of mask.
6) Dispose of all contaminated supplies and equipment in designated receptacles.

Accepted Answer

A)   3, 1, 4, 5, 6, 2
B)   1, 4, 5, 3, 6, 2
C)   1, 4, 5, 3, 2, 6
D)   3, 1, 4, 5, 2, 6

Question 10

The nurse is caring for a patient with leukemia and is preparing to provide fluids through a vascular access (IV) device. Which nursing intervention is a priority in this procedure?

Accepted Answer

A)   Review the procedure with the patient.
B)   Position the patient comfortably.
C)   Maintain surgical aseptic technique.
D)   Gather available supplies.

Question 11

The patient and the nurse are discussing Rickettsia rickettsii-Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Which patient statement to the nurse indicates understanding regarding the mode of transmission for this disease?

Accepted Answer

A)   "When camping, I will use sunscreen."
B)   "When camping, I will drink bottled water."
C)   "When camping, I will wear insect repellent."
D)   "When camping, I will wash my hands with hand gel."

Question 12

The circulating nurse in the operating room is observing the surgical technologist while applying a sterile gown and gloves to care for a patient having an appendectomy. Which behaviors indicate to the nurse that the procedure by the surgical technologist is correct? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)   Ties the back of own gown
B)   Touches only the inside of gown
C)   Slips arms into arm holes simultaneously
D)   Extended fingers fully into both of the gloves
E)   Uses hands covered by sleeves to open glovesF)  Applies surgical cap and face mask in the operating suite

Question 13

The nurse is caring for a patient in labor and delivery. When near completing an assessment of the patient's cervix, the electronic infusion device being used on the intravenous (IV) infusion alarms. Which sequence of actions is most appropriate for the nurse to take?

Accepted Answer

A)   Complete the assessment, remove gloves, and silence the alarm.
B)   Discontinue the assessment, silence the alarm, and assess the intravenous site.
C)   Complete the assessment, remove gloves, wash hands, and assess the intravenous infusion.
D)   Discontinue the assessment, remove gloves, use hand gel, and assess the intravenous infusion.

Question 14

The nurse is providing an education session to an adult community group about the effects of smoking on infection. Which information is most important for the nurse to include in the educational session?

Accepted Answer

A)   Smoke from tobacco products clings to your clothing and hair.
B)   Smoking affects the cilia lining the upper airways in the lungs.
C)   Smoking can affect the color of the patient's fingernails.
D)   Smoking tobacco products can be very expensive.

Question 15

The surgical mask the perioperative nurse is wearing becomes moist. Which action will the perioperative nurse take next?

Accepted Answer

A)   Apply a new mask.
B)   Reapply the mask after it air-dries.
C)   Change the mask when relieved by next shift.
D)   Do not change the mask if the nurse is comfortable.

Question 16

The nurse and a new nurse in orientation are caring for a patient with pneumonia. Which statement by the new nurse will indicate a correct understanding of this condition?

Accepted Answer

A)   "An infectious disease like pneumonia may not pose a risk to others."
B)   "We need to isolate the patient in a private negative-pressure room."
C)   "Clinical signs and symptoms are not present in pneumonia."
D)   "The patient will not be able to return home."

Question 17

The nurse is providing an educational session for a group of preschool workers. The nurse reminds the group about the $\bold{most}$ important thing to do to prevent the spread of infection. Which information did the nurse share with the preschool workers?

Accepted Answer

A)   Encourage preschool children to eat a nutritious diet.
B)   Suggest that parents provide a multivitamin to the children.
C)   Clean the toys every afternoon before putting them away.
D)   Wash their hands between each interaction with children.

Question 18

The nurse is caring for a patient who becomes nauseated and vomits without warning. The nurse has contaminated hands. Which action is best for the nurse to take next?

Accepted Answer

A)   Wash hands with an antimicrobial soap and water.
B)   Clean hands with wipes from the bedside table.
C)   Use an alcohol-based waterless hand gel.
D)   Wipe hands with a dry paper towel.

Question 19

The nurse is caring for a group of medical-surgical patients. Which patient is most at risk for developing an infection?

Accepted Answer

A)   A patient who is in observation for chest pain
B)   A patient who has been admitted with dehydration
C)   A patient who is recovering from a right total hip surgery
D)   A patient who has been admitted for stabilization of heart problems

Question 20

The nurse is caring for a patient who is at risk for infection. Which action by the nurse indicates correct understanding about standard precautions?

Accepted Answer

A)   Teaches the patient about good nutrition
B)   Dons gloves when wearing artificial nails
C)   Disposes an uncapped needle in the designated container
D)   Wears eyewear when emptying the urinary drainage bag

Exam 29: Infection Prevention and Control