Question 1

The nurse explains that medical asepsis differs from surgical asepsis in that medical asepsis:
A) kills all organisms.
B) is confined to the patient's room.
C) uses sterile attire to protect the patient.
D) uses sterile equipment before contact with the patient.

Accepted Answer

Medical asepsis confines the microorganisms to the patient's room. Medical asepsis does not kill all organisms; it uses clean attire and equipment.

Question 2

The nurse is aware that the use of ethylene oxide gas is reserved for the sterilization of:
A) dressings.
B) surgical instruments.
C) heat-sensitive items.
D) floors and walls.

Accepted Answer

Ethylene oxide is used to sterilize heat-sensitive items and offers good penetration.

Question 3

The nurse instructing a patient in the home use of disinfectant would include the information that the disinfectant can be used to:
A) decrease organisms on the patient's body but take care not to use it around the patient's eyes or in the mouth.
B) sterilize instruments with a bacteriostatic disinfectant.
C) thoroughly clean and rinse all soap off the equipment before disinfecting it.
D) first remove all organic matter prior to disinfecting.

Accepted Answer

Disinfectants are irritating to the skin. Bacteriostatic disinfectants only weaken or slow the growth of organisms; they do not kill them. Hot water hardens organic matter; therefore equipment should be rinsed with cold water before hot soapy water is used.

Question 4

The nurse explains that the immunizations against hepatitis B will:
A) stimulate the body to make antibodies the hepatitis B antigen.
B) offer immediate protection from hepatitis B by the injection of ready-made antibodies.
C) introduce live antigens into the body that will stimulate the production of antibodies.
D) offer protection against hepatitis A, C, and D, in addition to hepatitis B.

Accepted Answer

Artificially acquired immunization is achieved by introducing killed or attenuated pathogens that are recognized as antigens by the immune system but that are not able to cause disease. These antigens stimulate the formation of antibodies specific to hepatitis B only.

Question 5

The nurse explains to the patient who has pneumococcal pneumonia that the lungs serve as the:
A) mode of transfer.
B) transmission of the disease.
C) reservoir.
D) organisms that cause the infection.

Accepted Answer

The reservoir is the place where the organism is found, such as a wound or, in this case, the infected lungs. Droplets are modes of transmission from the reservoir.

Question 6

The nurse recommends a good agent for disinfecting contaminated areas in the home is:
A) to cover the area with boiling water and let air dry.
B) a 1:10 solution of chlorine bleach.
C) a 1:2 solution of alcohol.
D) to soak in a solution of povidone-iodine for 30 minutes and rinse with hot water.

Accepted Answer

A 1:10 solution of chlorine bleach is a good home disinfectant.

Question 7

An organism that is included in the extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing pneumonia (ESBL) group is:
A) Staphylococcus aureus.
B) Clostridium difficile.
C) Enterococcus.
D) Escherichia coli.

Accepted Answer

E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae are the organisms in the ESBL group.

Question 8

The nurse uses the Standard Precautions, as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), when:
A) there is a suspicion of or risk of infection.
B) preventing transmission of respiratory and wound infections.
C) caring for patients who have wounds draining body fluids.
D) caring for all patients.

Accepted Answer

Standard Precautions include hand hygiene and use of PPE when there is exposure to blood, body fluids, mucous membranes, nonintact skin, secretions, excretions, and contaminated articles. Hand hygiene is part of patient care for all patients all the time, regardless of diagnosis, and the selection of PPE is appropriate for all patients at some time or another.

Question 9

When removing a used face mask, the nurse correctly:
A) lowers it below his chin to use the next time he enters that patient's room.
B) removes the mask first before removing any other PPE.
C) unties the bottom ties first, then the top, and disposes of the mask without touching it.
D) discards the mask only if it is wet; otherwise, he folds and stores it to reuse the next time.

Accepted Answer

Face masks are not reused, and they should not be worn dangling around the neck. Gloves should be removed first (and eyewear, if worn) before removing the mask so as not to contaminate the nurse's hair or face.

Question 10

A mother and her 2-week-old infant, who is breast-fed, have been exposed to chickenpox. Although the mother had chickenpox as a child, she is concerned about her baby. The nurse explains:
A) the infant is at risk because the baby has not been immunized against the disease.
B) both infant and mother are at risk because the mother's immunity was acquired too long ago to be effective.
C) the baby should receive immune globulin to protect him from the infection.
D) neither are at risk, because the mother has naturally acquired immunity, and she passes antibodies to the baby through the breast milk.

Accepted Answer

Having had a disease such as chickenpox provides lifelong naturally acquired immunity, which allows the mother to pass on antibodies through the placenta and breast milk to protect the infant until his immune system is more mature.

Question 11

When the nurse performs a procedure using sterile technique in the patient's unit, it means that:
A) the equipment and supplies used are disposable and clean.
B) all organisms have been killed or removed from materials that come in contact with the patient.
C) the nurse will do a 10-minute surgical scrub before beginning the procedure.
D) the nurse will be required to don a sterile gown, mask, and eye shields.

Accepted Answer

Surgical asepsis or sterile technique uses sterilization to remove all organisms, not just pathogens. The purpose is to protect the patient from the introduction of organisms that could endanger health. Although sterile gloves are used, there is no need for a sterile gown.

Question 12

Health personnel should wash their hands with soap and water at the beginning of the shift for:
A) 10 seconds.
B) 15 seconds.
C) 1 minute.
D) 2 minutes.

Accepted Answer

Hand hygiene as suggested by the CDC should be done at the beginning of the shift for 15 seconds (30 seconds or longer in specialty areas).

Question 13

A nurse teaching family members about hand hygiene in the home would emphasize:
A) keeping fingernails short and avoiding wearing rings.
B) washing hands up to the elbows for 2 minutes the first time in the day, and for 1 minute after a diaper change.
C) using disposable gloves after hand hygiene when feeding the infant.
D) that home care requires less attention to medical asepsis, so hand hygiene is necessary only after toileting or handling soiled diapers.

Accepted Answer

Fingernails and jewelry provide hiding places for organisms and can scratch the baby. A 10- to 20-second hand hygiene routine is appropriate before handling the baby and after changing diapers (as well as after toileting, before eating, and anytime they are soiled).

Question 14

The patient inquires about how his body will kill pathogens unassisted by antibiotics. The nurse responds that a process called phagocytosis will:
A) stimulate the body to make more white blood cells.
B) create antibodies against the pathogen.
C) engulf and destroy the pathogen.
D) stimulate the production of interferons.

Accepted Answer

Phagocytes that are stored in the GI tract, liver, and spleen kill pathogens by engulfing and destroying the invaders and cleaning up the debris.

Question 15

A nurse is using personal protective equipment (PPE) before entering the room of a patient with diarrhea and vomiting who is being treated for an intestinal infection. The nurse most likely needs to use which combination of PPE?
A) Gown, gloves, and mask
B) Gown, gloves, and goggles (or glasses)
C) Shoe covers, gown, and gloves
D) Reusable gown and mask

Accepted Answer

The gown is necessary to protect the nurse's uniform from becoming contaminated with organisms from stool or vomitus, gloves protect hands from contact with these body secretions, and goggles prevent splashing of contaminated material into the eyes. Protective gowns are not reused.

Question 16

The nurse using protective non-sterile gloves in the provision of patient care will wash his or her hands after removal of the gloves in order to:
A) avoid transfer of organisms.
B) diminish possibility of latex allergy.
C) keep skin of hands from cracking and drying.
D) enhance the ease of donning a fresh pair of gloves.

Accepted Answer

Washing the hands immediately after removing barrier gloves decreases the likelihood that organisms will gain access to the skin through small holes or imperfections in the gloves and reduces the transfer of microorganisms to the environment and other persons.

Question 17

When the nurse is using a syringe and needle to give a patient an injection, he or she should:
A) never recap the needle afterwards to avoid risk of needle stick.
B) carefully break the needle from the syringe, using the needle cover to prevent reuse of a used syringe and needle.
C) throw the needle and syringe immediately in a covered garbage can with a red plastic liner to indicate the materials are biohazards.
D) recap the needle and place it carefully on the patient's table until leaving the room, then discard it in a garbage container in the nurses' medication room.

Accepted Answer

Used needles and sharps need to be handled very carefully to prevent sticks with contaminated body fluids (blood). Never recapping the needle is an approved CDC Standard Precaution. The other choices are contraindicated. Sharps should be discarded in a specially marked container that does not endanger the person who empties it. The needle should not be broken or recapped unless it is done with a one hand scoop method. Throwing needles or sharps in a red plastic bag endangers others.

Question 18

When a patient in the ambulatory clinic is diagnosed as having pneumococcal pneumonia, the nurse is aware that this infection is:
A) viral and will not respond to antibiotics.
B) bacterial and should respond to treatment with antibiotics.
C) fungal and is caused by the alteration of the normal flora of the lung.
D) resultant from a resistant organism and extreme caution must be taken.

Accepted Answer

The -coccal suffix indicates a bacterial infection with round cocci, which are bacteria that usually respond to antibiotic therapy.

Question 19

A patient is sent home with an open wound that is still infected and being treated with wet-to-dry dressing changes four times a day. Before discharge, in order to prevent infecting other family members, the nurse would teach the patient to:
A) be the only person to perform the dressing changes, thus eliminating the risk of infection to other family members.
B) wash hands thoroughly before the dressing change.
C) use gowns, gloves, and masks for any family contact with him.
D) maintain medical asepsis and proper handling of the contaminated dressings.

Accepted Answer

Medical asepsis is the most important way of preventing the spread of infection in the home or in the hospital or nursing home.

Question 20

The nurse encourages the 84-year-old patient who is recovering from a hip replacement to:
A) cough frequently to make up for the loss of cilia.
B) restrict fluid to prevent pulmonary congestion.
C) keep the bed flat to aid in lung expansion.
D) encourage bed rest.

Accepted Answer

Because of the loss of an adequate cough mechanism and loss of cilia, the mature adult should be encouraged to cough frequently.

Quiz 16: Infection Prevention and Control: Protective Mechanisms and Asepsis

The nurse explains that medical asepsis differs from surgical asepsis in that medical asepsis:

The nurse is aware that the use of ethylene oxide gas is reserved for the sterilization of:

The nurse instructing a patient in the home use of disinfectant would include the information that the disinfectant can be used to:

The nurse explains that the immunizations against hepatitis B will:

The nurse explains to the patient who has pneumococcal pneumonia that the lungs serve as the:

The nurse recommends a good agent for disinfecting contaminated areas in the home is:

An organism that is included in the extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing pneumonia (ESBL) group is:

The nurse uses the Standard Precautions, as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , when:

When removing a used face mask, the nurse correctly:

A mother and her 2-week-old infant, who is breast-fed, have been exposed to chickenpox. Although the mother had chickenpox as a child, she is concerned about her baby. The nurse explains:

When the nurse performs a procedure using sterile technique in the patient's unit, it means that:

Health personnel should wash their hands with soap and water at the beginning of the shift for:

A nurse teaching family members about hand hygiene in the home would emphasize:

The patient inquires about how his body will kill pathogens unassisted by antibiotics. The nurse responds that a process called phagocytosis will:

A nurse is using personal protective equipment (PPE) before entering the room of a patient with diarrhea and vomiting who is being treated for an intestinal infection. The nurse most likely needs to use which combination of PPE?

The nurse using protective non-sterile gloves in the provision of patient care will wash his or her hands after removal of the gloves in order to:

When the nurse is using a syringe and needle to give a patient an injection, he or she should:

When a patient in the ambulatory clinic is diagnosed as having pneumococcal pneumonia, the nurse is aware that this infection is:

A patient is sent home with an open wound that is still infected and being treated with wet-to-dry dressing changes four times a day. Before discharge, in order to prevent infecting other family members, the nurse would teach the patient to:

The nurse encourages the 84-year-old patient who is recovering from a hip replacement to: