question

Gram _______________ organisms do not retain their stain and have a pink appearance under a microscope.

answer

negative

question

Gram _______________ organisms retain their stain and have a purple appearance under a microscope.

answer

positive

question

The term cocci is used to describe organisms with a _______________ shape.

answer

spherical

question

The term bacilli is used to describe organisms with a _______________ shape.

answer

rod

question

The term spirochete is used to describe organisms with a _______________ shape.

answer

corkscrew

question

Athlete's foot, ringworm, and candidiasis are examples of ____________ infections.

answer

fungal

question

Name the 4 factors that influence an organism's potential to produce disease.

answer

Number of organisms Virulence of the organism (or its ability to cause disease) Competence of the person's immune system Length and intimacy of the contact between the person and the microorganism

question

Microorganisms that commonly inhabit certain body sites and are part of the body's natural defense system are referred to as ______________.

answer

normal flora

question

A ___________ is the natural habitat for an organism where conditions are favorable for growth and multiplication.

answer

reservoir

question

Examples of reservoirs that support organisms pathogenic to humans include:

answer

people, animals (rabies, West Nile virus), soil (tetanus), food (E. coli), water (Giardia, E. coli 0157-H7, Shigella), milk (Listeria), and inanimate objects (influenza)

question

A ___________ is a person that is a reservoir for infection transmission, but does not exhibit signs and symptoms of infection.

answer

carrier

question

The _____________ is the point of escape for the organism from the reservoir.

answer

portal of exit

question

If an organism is unable to escape its original reservoir is it likely to spread infection?

answer

No!

question

Name some common portals of exit for pathogens in humans.

answer

the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary tracts, breaks in the skin, blood and tissue

question

Direct contact is a route of transmission that includes:

answer

interactions between a susceptible host (receiving end of infection) and a carrier (transmits infection) such as touching, kissing, or sexual intercourse

question

Indirect contact is a route of transmission that includes:

answer

contact with an inanimate object (fomites), such as touching a contaminated instrument

question

Non-human carriers that transmit organisms from one host to another are known as ____________.

answer

vectors: mosquitoes, ticks, and lice

question

Name some activities that can result in the spreading of microorganisms through the airborne route.

answer

when an infected host coughs, sneezes, or talks, or when the organism becomes attached to dust particles

question

Airborne particles are ______ than 5 mcm.

answer

less

question

Droplet particles are ______ than 5 mcm.

answer

greater

question

______________ is the point at which organisms enter a new host.

answer

the portal of entry

question

Name some common portals of entry.

answer

urinary, respiratory, and gastrointestinal tracts and the skin are common portals of entry (often the same as portals of exit from reservoir)

question

______________ is the degree of resistance the potential host has to the pathogen.

answer

susceptibility

question

Infection proceeds through the following sequence of 4 stages:

answer

Incubation period Prodromal stage Full stage of illness Convalescent period

question

______________ is the interval between the pathogen's invasion of the body and the appearance of symptoms of infection.

answer

incubation period (organisms are growing and multiplying)

question

What is the stage of infection in which a person is most infectious?

answer

prodromal stage

question

In what stage of infection do patients usually exhibit only vague or nonspeciﬁc signs and symptoms of disease?

answer

prodromal stage

question

In what stage of infection do patients exhibit speciﬁc signs and symptoms of disease?

answer

full stage of illness

question

Symptoms that are limited or occur in only one body area are referred to as ______________ symptoms.

answer

localized

question

Symptoms that affect the entire body are referred to as ______________ symptoms.

answer

systemic

question

The _________________ is the period in which a patient recovers from the infection.

answer

convalescent period

question

Name the cardinal signs of acute infection.

answer

pain, warmth, redness, swelling and possible loss of function

question

Serous exudate has a ___________ appearance.

answer

clear

question

______________ exudate contains red blood cells.

answer

sanguinous (red and has a thin, watery consistency, indicating active bleeding)

question

______________ exudate contains pus.

answer

purulent

question

What stage of inflammation is characterized by transient constriction followed by vasodilation, increased vessel permeability and drainage into tissues?

answer

vascular stage

question

In what stage of inflammation do white blood cells migrate to the infected area?

answer

cellular stage

question

What are the normal values for a white blood cell count (WBC)?

answer

5,000 to 10,000/mm3

question

What type of wbcs are increased in acute infections that produce pus?

answer

neutrophils, normal=60%-70%

question

What type of wbcs are increased in chronic bacterial and viral infections?

answer

lymphocytes, normal=20%-40%

question

What type of wbcs are increased in severe infections?

answer

monocytes, normal =2%-8%

question

What type of wbcs are increased in allergic reactions and parasitic infections?

answer

eosinophils, normal=1%-4%

question

What type of wbcs are generally unaffected by infections?

answer

basophils, normal=0.5%-1%

question

How does the presence of inﬂammation affect the erythrocyte sedimentation rate?

answer

inﬂammation causes an elevated ESR

question

Basic principles of medical asepsis

answer

Practice good hand hygiene. Keep soiled items and equipment from touching the clothing. Carry soiled linens or other used articles so that they do not touch your clothing. Do not place soiled bed linen or any other items on the ﬂoor, which is grossly contaminated. It increases contamination of both surfaces. Avoid having a patient cough, sneeze, or breathe directly on others. Provide them with disposable tissues, and instruct them, as indicated, to cover their mouth and nose to prevent spread by airborne droplets. Move equipment away from you when brushing, dusting, or scrubbing articles. This helps prevent contaminated particles from settling on the hair, face, and clothing. Avoid raising dust. Use a specially treated cloth or a dampened cloth. Do not shake linens. Dust and lint particles constitute a vehicle by which organisms may be transported from one area to another. Clean the least soiled areas ﬁrst and then the more soiled ones. This helps prevent having the cleaner areas soiled by the dirtier areas.

question

Basic principles of medical asepsis

answer

Dispose of soiled or used items directly into appropriate containers. Wrap items that are moist from body discharge or drainage in waterproof containers, such as plastic bags, before discarding into the refuse holder so that handlers will not come in contact with them. Pour liquids that are to be discarded, such as bath water, mouth rinse, and the like, directly into the drain to avoid splattering in the sink and onto you. Sterilize items that are suspected of containing pathogens. After sterilization, they can be managed as clean items, if appropriate. Use practices of personal grooming that help prevent spreading microorganisms. Examples include shampooing the hair regularly, keeping it short or pinned up to limit the possibility of carrying microorganisms on hair shafts, keeping the ﬁngernails short and free of broken cuticles and ragged nail edges, and avoiding wearing rings with grooves and stones that may harbor microorganisms. Follow guidelines conscientiously for standard and transmission-based precautions as prescribed by agency.

question

The practice of ___________ includes all activities to prevent infection or break the chain of infection.

answer

asepsis

question

_____________ or clean technique, involves procedures and practices that reduce the number and transfer of pathogens.

answer

medical asepsis

question

Examples of procedures involving medical asepsis include:

answer

performing hand hygiene and wearing gloves, these practices are involved in almost every nursing activity

question

_____________ or sterile technique, includes practices used to render and keep objects and areas free from microorganisms.

answer

surgical asepsis

question

Examples of procedures involving surgical asepsis include:

answer

inserting an indwelling urinary catheter or inserting an IV catheter

question

What is the most effective way to help prevent the spread of infectious agents?

answer

performing hand hygiene

question

When a healthcare worker's hands are not visibly soiled, _____________ are recommended.

answer

alcohol-based hand rubs (gels)

question

What type of hand-cleansing products are less likely to cause skin dryness and irritation?

answer

alcohol-based hand rubs (gels)

question

Transient bacterial flora are most likely to grow ________________.

answer

under the ﬁngernails Can be removed relatively easily by frequent and thorough hand washing.

question

Resident bacterial flora are most likely to grow in ________________.

answer

creases in the skin Considerable friction with a brush is required to remove them.

question

When a healthcare worker's hands are visibly soiled or contaminated with blood or body ﬂuids, what type of hand hygeine measures should be performed?

answer

the HCW should wash their hands with either antimicrobial soap or nonantimicrobial soap and water

question

Effective handwashing requires at least ____ seconds of scrubbing with plain soap or disinfectant and warm water.

answer

15 (longer scrubbing is required when hands are visibly soiled)

question

____________ infections are acquired in health care settings.

answer

nosocomial

question

An infection is referred to as ____________ when the causative organism is acquired from other people.

answer

exogenous

question

An ____________ infection occurs when the causative organism originates within the infected person.

answer

endogenous

question

An _____________ infection results from a treatment or diagnostic procedure.

answer

iatrogenic

question

True or false. All nosocomial infections are iatrogenic.

answer

false

question

The Joint Commission mandates that death or serious injury caused by an infection-related event must be reported as a ________________.

answer

sentinel event: an unexpected occurrence involving death or serious physical or psychological injury

question

Will hospitals receive reimbursement from Medicare and Medicaid for preventable hospital-acquired illnesses?

answer

No! Hospitals need to report whether these conditions existed when the patients were admitted to their facility.

question

How might stafﬁng of nurses influence healthcare-acquired infections?

answer

understaffed units are associated with higher rates of HAIs

question

________________ is the drug of choice for healthcare-associated MRSA.

answer

intravenous vancomycin

question

What is the most frequent mode of MRSA transmission?

answer

contact with the contaminated hands of healthcare workers or contact with equipment

question

If a patient has an infection that is resistant to vancomycin, what antibiotics might be administered to treat the infection?

answer

linezolid (Zyvox) and quinupristin-dalfopristin (Synercid)

question

What is VISA?

answer

vancomycin intermediate-resistant S. aureus

question

What is VRSA?

answer

vancomycin-resistant S. aureus

question

What types of patients are at high risk of developing VISA and VRSA infections?

answer

patients with a history of renal failure requiring either hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, a previous MRSA infection, or a history of prior and possibly prolonged use of vancomycin.

question

Where are enterococci normally found in the human body?

answer

in the intestinal and female genital tracts

question

What is VRE?

answer

vancomycin-resistant enterococci

question

How is VRE spread?

answer

VRE is spread via contact with the feces, urine, or blood of an infected or colonized person.

question

Name 5 risk factors for VRE.

answer

Compromised immune systems Recent abdominal or chest surgery Presence of urinary or central IV catheter Prolonged antibiotic use, especially with vancomycin Lengthy hospital stay especially in an ICU

question

_____________ destroys all pathogenic organisms except spores.

answer

disinfection

question

_____________ destroys all microorganisms, including spores.

answer

sterilization

question

_____________ should be used when preparing the skin for a procedure or cleaning a piece of equipment that does not enter a sterile body part.

answer

disinfection

question

_____________ is usually performed on equipment that is entering a sterile portion of the body.

answer

sterilization

question

____________ asepsis is also known as clean technique.

answer

Medical

question

____________ asepsis is also known as sterile technique.

answer

Surgical

question

How should soiled items, including linens, equipment, and other used articles be carried when they are being prepared for disposal?

answer

away from the body to prevent them from touching the clothing.

question

What areas should be cleaned ﬁrst when cleaning a soiled patient?

answer

Clean the least soiled areas ﬁrst and then move to the more soiled ones.

question

Items that are saturated with body discharge or drainage should be ___________________

answer

enclosed in waterproof containers, such as plastic bags, before discarding into the refuse holder so that handlers will not come in contact with them.

question

Name some personal grooming habits that help prevent the spread of microorganisms.

answer

Shampoo your hair regularly; keep your ﬁngernails short and free of broken cuticles and ragged edges; do not wear false nails; and do not wear rings with grooves and stones that might harbor microorganisms.

question

Identify occasions that require hand hygiene.

answer

Before and after contact with each patient Before putting on sterile gloves Before performing any invasive procedure, such as placement of a peripheral vascular catheter After accidental contact with body fluids or excretions, mucous membranes, non-intact skin, and wound dressings, even if hands are not visibly soiled When moving from a contaminated body site to a clean body site during patient care After contact with inanimate objects near the patient After removal of gloves

question

What conditions necessitate the wearing of gloves?

answer

Gloves should be worn when contact with blood, infectious material, mucous membranes, and non-intact skin might occur.

question

What conditions require the use of sterile technique?

answer

Invasive patient encounters require the use of sterile technique. When items are brought into contact with broken skin, used to penetrate the skin to inject substances into the body, or used to enter normally sterile body cavities.

question

Sterile objects must be carried _____________ waist level.

answer

above

question

Standard Precautions should be observed when dealing with:

answer

blood; all body fluids, secretions, and excretions except sweat, regardless of the presence of visible blood; non-intact skin; and mucous membranes.

question

When should personal protective equipment (PPE) be worn?

answer

during procedures and care activities that are likely to generate splashes or sprays of blood or body fluids.

question

Transmission-Based Precautions are used:

answer

in addition to Standard Precautions for patients in hospitals with suspected infection with pathogens that can be transmitted by airborne, droplet, or contact routes.

question

When should Airborne Precautions be observed?

answer

for patients who have infections that spread through the air, such as tuberculosis, varicella (chicken pox), rubeola (measles), and possibly severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

question

When should Droplet Precautions be observed?

answer

for patients with an infection that is spread by large-particle droplets, such as rubella, mumps, diphtheria, and the adenovirus infection in infants and young children.

question

When should Contact Precautions be observed?

answer

for patients who are infected or colonized by a multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO).

question

When would an antimicrobial soap product be recommended for use with hand-washing?

answer

before participating in an invasive procedure and after exposure to blood or body ﬂuids.

question

1.What are the smallest infectious agents capable of causing an infection? a.Bacteria b.Viruses c.Molds d.Yeasts

answer

1.b.A virus is the smallest of all microorganisms and can be seen only with a special microscope. Molds and yeasts (fungi) and bacteria are larger infectious agents.

question

2.Your patient has developed a low-grade fever and states that she has felt very tired lately. You interpret these ﬁndings as indicating which stage of infection? a.Incubation period b.Prodromal stage c.Full stage of illness d.Convalescent period

answer

2.b.During the prodromal stage, the person has vague signs and symptoms, such as fatigue and a low-grade fever. There are no obvious symptoms of infection during the incubation period, and they are more speciﬁc during the full stage of illness, before disappearing by the convalescent period.

question

3.Efforts by healthcare facilities to reduce the incidence of HAIs include an awareness of which of the following? a.The CDC requires all states to report HAI rates from each hospital. b.The gastrointestinal tract is a common site for HAIs. c.Joint Commission considers death or serious injury from HAIs a sentinel event d.The causal agent for most HAIs is viral.

answer

3.c.According to the Joint Commission, death or serious injury caused by an infection-related event is considered a sentinel event and must be reported. Currently, more than twenty states have legislation requiring that HAI rates be reported to the CDC. The gastrointestinal tract is not particularly prone to HAIs. Bacteria cause most HAIs.

question

4.A patient develops a urinary tract infection after an indwelling urinary catheter has been inserted. This would most accurately be termed as which type of infection? a.A viral infection b.A chronic infection c.An iatrogenic infection d.An opportunistic infection

answer

4.c.An infection that develops as a result of the insertion of an indwelling catheter is termed iatrogenic. Because this infection just developed, it is not chronic, nor did it occur because of any altered physiology that may give an opportunistic organism a chance to cause infection. Urinary infections are bacterial, not viral.

question

5.The nurse has opened the sterile supplies and donned two sterile gloves to complete a sterile dressing change, a procedure that requires surgical asepsis. The nurse must do which of the following? a.Keep splashes on the sterile ﬁeld to a minimum b.Cover the nose and mouth with gloved hands if a sneeze is imminent c.Use forceps soaked in a disinfectant d.Consider the outer 1 inch of the sterile ﬁeld as contaminated

answer

5.d.Considering the outer inch of a sterile ﬁeld as contaminated is a principle of surgical asepsis. Moisture such as from splashes contaminates the sterile ﬁeld, and sneezing would contaminate the sterile gloves. Forceps soaked in disinfectant are not considered sterile.

question

6.The CDC standard precaution recommendations apply to which of the following? a.Only patients with diagnosed infections b.Only blood and body ﬂuids with visible blood c.All body ﬂuids including sweat d.All patients receiving care in hospitals

answer

6.d.Standard precautions apply to all patients receiving care in hospitals, regardless of their diagnosis or possible infection status. These recommendations include blood, all body ﬂuids, secretions, and excretions except sweat, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes.

question

7.In addition to standard precautions, the nurse caring for a patient with rubella would plan to implement what type of precautions? a.Droplet precautions b.Airborne precautions c.Contact precautions d.Universal precautions

answer

7.a.Rubella is an illness transmitted by large-particle droplets and requires droplet precautions in addition to standard precautions. Airborne precautions are used for patients who have infections spread through the air with small particles, for example, tuberculosis, varicella, and rubeola. Universal precautions and body-substance isolation are incorporated into the new CDC standard precautions recommendations.

question

8.When caring for a patient with latex allergy, the nurse creates a latex-safe environment by doing which of the following? a.Carefully cleaning the wall-mounted blood pressure device before using it b.Donning latex gloves outside the room to limit powder dispersal c.Using a latex-free pharmacy protocol d.Placing the patient in a semiprivate room

answer

8.c.A latex-free pharmacy protocol is a vital component when creating a safe environment for this patient. Wall-mounted blood pressure devices have latex tubing and should not be touched or used on the patient. Latex gloves could cause a serious allergic response; only synthetic gloves are allowed in a latex-free environment. A private room is best to minimize the possibility of latex exposure from something used for the other patient.

question

9.Which organization(s) initially developed the guidelines for minimum protection standards for infection prevention and control? a.OSHA b.Individual healthcare facilities c.The state governing body d.The CDC

answer

9.d.The CDC established the initial minimum requirements for infection prevention and control. OSHA has issued and monitors regulations for use of infection control precautions in situations and settings in which exposure to blood and other infectious materials is possible.

question

10.Which of the following lists the recommended sequence for removing soiled personal protective equipment when the nurse prepares to leave the patient's room? a.Gown, goggles, mask, gloves, and exit the room b.Gloves, wash hands, remove gown, mask, and goggles c.Gloves, goggles, gown, mask, and wash hands d.Goggles, mask, gloves, gown, and wash hands

answer

10.c.Gloves are always removed ﬁrst because they are most likely to be contaminated, and hands should be washed thoroughly after the equipment has been removed and before leaving the room.

question

11.For a nurse under normal conditions with unsoiled hands, effective hand hygiene between patients requires which of the following? a.At least a 15-second scrub with plain soap and water b.At least a 23-minute scrub with an antimicrobial soap c.Use of an alcohol-based antiseptic hand rub d.That a mask be worn when scrubbing

answer

11.c.Hands that are not visibly soiled can be effectively cleaned with an alcohol-based hand rub. Neither a mask nor an antimicrobial soap is required in this situation or setting. Hands that are visibly soiled require a wash with either a non-antimicrobial soap and water or an antimicrobial soap and water.

question

12.Which hospitalized patient is most at risk for developing a healthcare-associated infection? a.Mr. Y, a 60-year-old patient who smokes two packs of cigarettes daily b.Mrs. J, a 40-year-old patient who has a white blood cell count of 6,000/mm3 c.Mr. L, a 65-year-old patient who has an indwelling urinary catheter in place d.Mrs. M, a 60-year-old patient who is a vegetarian and slightly underweight

answer

12.c.Indwelling urinary catheters have been implicated in most healthcare-associated infections. Cigarette smoking, a normal white blood cell count, and a vegetarian diet have not been implicated as risk factors for HAIs.

question

13.A patient develops food poisoning from contaminated potato salad. What is the means of transmission for the infecting organism? a.Direct contact b.Vector c.Vehicle d.Airborne

answer

13.c.Contaminated food is a vehicle for transmitting an infection. Direct contact requires proximity between the susceptible host and an infected person. A vector is a nonhuman carrier, such as an insect, and the airborne means of transmission carries the organism in droplet nuclei or with dust.

question

14.A nurse is caring for an obese 62-year-old patient with arthritis who has developed an open reddened area over his sacrum. Which of the following is a priority nursing diagnosis? a.Imbalanced Nutrition: More Than Body Requirements related to immobility b.Impaired Physical Mobility related to pain and discomfort c.Chronic Pain related to immobility d.Risk for Infection related to altered skin integrity

answer

14.d.The priority diagnosis in this situation is the possibility of an infection developing in the open skin area. The others may be potential or probable diagnoses for this patient and may also require nursing interventions after the ﬁrst diagnosis is addressed.

question

15.The nurse teaches a patient at home to use clean technique when changing a wound dressing. This is which of the following? a.The nurse's preference b.Safe for the home setting c.Unethical behavior d.Grossly negligent

answer

15.b.In the home setting, where the patient's environment is more controlled, medical asepsis is usually recommended, with the exception of self-injection. This is the appropriate procedure for the home and is neither unethical nor grossly negligent.

question

What should a nurse do when a part of the sterile ﬁeld becomes contaminated?

answer

discard all portions of the sterile ﬁeld and start over.

question

How should a nurse respond when she realizes that a supply is missing after setting up a sterile ﬁeld?

answer

Call for help. It may be necessary to activate the call light, or if the patient is alert, ask the patient to activate the call light. Do not leave the sterile ﬁeld unattended in an effort to retrieve the supply. If the nurse is not able to visualize the sterile ﬁeld at all times, it is considered contaminated.

question

What should a nurse do when a patient touches the sterile ﬁeld?

answer

If the patient touches the sterile ﬁeld, discard the supplies and prepare a new sterile ﬁeld.

question

What is the proper procedure for adding a sterile solution to a sterile field?

answer

Open the solution container according to directions and place the cap on the table away from the ﬁeld with edges up. Hold the bottle outside the edge of the sterile ﬁeld with the label side facing the palm of your hand and prepare to pour from a height of 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm). This action prevents any of the liquid from running over the label and making it illegible.

question

Why should a nurse be very careful not to touch the front of their mask or respirator in the process of removing it?

answer

The front of the mask or respirator is considered to be contaminated.

question

What steps are involved in performing a ﬁt check after putting on a respirator?

answer

The respirator should collapse when you inhale and air should not leak out when you exhale. A mask must ﬁt securely to provide protection.

question

What is the guideline to follow when washing your hands after completion of a procedure?

answer

Wash at least 1 inch above area of contamination. If hands are not visibly soiled, wash to 1 inch above the wrists.

question

What types of accidental exposures must be reported?

answer

Needle stick injuries or accidental exposure to blood or body ﬂuids must be reported immediately so that appropriate interventions can be used. Failure to notify an employer of an exposure may result in personal jeopardy as well as loss of compensation if an infection develops. Reporting process usually includes filling out an incident or injury report.

question

When a bottle containing a sterile solution has been opened ____________________________

answer

The outside of the bottle should be labeled and dated if it is to be reused. Most solutions are considered sterile for 24 hours after they are opened.

question

When would it be necessary to wear gloves?

answer

When in contact with potentially infectious substances

question

When is it appropriate to wear a gown?

answer

When soiling of clothing is possible

question

When would it be appropriate to wear masks, eye protection and face shields?

answer

If client care may generate splashes of potentially infectious substances

question

Are a health care worker's regular glasses considered appropriate protective eyewear?

answer

No! Regular glasses do not cover the sides and the splashing of infectious materials can reach the eyes.

question

What should a nurse do if her gown or mask gets wet?

answer

Get a new mask. A wet mask or gown loses its protective value.

question

Should a nurse ever recap used needles?

answer

No!

question

In a situation in which a syringe does not have a safety guard, how would a nurse go about recapping it?

answer

Put the syringe cap and syringe on a flat surface. Align the syringe with the cap and carefully slide them together. Once the syringe is sheathed, push the cap on tight.

question

Identify 4 practices for handling soiled linen that can reduce the spread of infection?

answer

Don't throw soiled linen on the floor Don't shake soiled linen (spreads germs) Don't hold soiled linen against your uniform Follow agency policy

question

Why should a nurse avoid throwing soiled linen on the floor?

answer

The soiled linen can spread germs to the floor.

question

Why should a nurse never shake out soiled linen?

answer

The nurse would be aerosolizing the germs.

question

Should a nurse dispose of soiled linen by lifting the lid of the linen hamper?

answer

No! That could contaminate her hands. She should step on the foot pedal of the linen hamper.

question

Why should a nurse never hold anything against their uniform?

answer

There are germs on linens and on surfaces that come into contact with clipboards. When they come into contact with a nurses uniform they can contaminate it.

question

What types of infectious waste is considered biohazardous trash and must be placed in a red biohazard bag for proper disposal?

answer

Anything that is "dripable, pourable, flakeable or cakeable"

question

How is biohazardous (red bag) trash processed when it is disposed of?

answer

Red bag trash is incinerated and clear bag trash is taken to a landfill.

question

A nurse must dispose of a bandaid with a small bloodstain. Should she place this item in a red bag or a clear bag?

answer

In a clear bag, because it is not dripable, pourable, flakeable or cakeable

question

What types of particles are smaller and can travel long distances? Airborne Droplet

answer

Airborne particles

question

What types of particles are larger and travel shorter distances? Airborne Droplet

answer

Droplet particles

question

Name 3 examples of diseases that are spread through airborne transmission.

answer

measles, chicken pox, TB

question

What type of isolation requires that the door to the patient's room should remain closed? Airborne Droplet Contact

answer

Airborne isolation. Because airborne particles have the ability to travel long distances, giving them the potential to leave the room and transmit infection.

question

What type of isolation allows the door to the patient's room to remain open? Airborne Droplet Contact

answer

Droplet isolation. Because droplet particles are not likely to travel very far.

question

What type of personal protective equipment is necessary when entering the room of a patient on airborne precautions?

answer

Staff and visitors must wear masks at all times while in the patient's room.

question

Name 2 examples of diseases that are spread through droplet transmission.

answer

mumps, pneumonia

question

When would personal protective equipment be necessary when dealing with a patient on droplet precautions?

answer

Any interactions that may involve contact with the patient and/or potentially contaminated areas of the patient's environment

question

What protective measures should be observed in interactions between patients on droplet precautions and visitors?

answer

Visitors should stay 3 feet from the patient

question

When should contact precautions be observed?

answer

When infections can be spread through direct or indirect contact with the patient.

question

Identify 4 routes for contact transmission.

answer

infected wounds, feces, urine and skin lesions

question

What is a potential route for acquiring infection that can arise through patient contact?

answer

Through dry, cracked skin, nicks and cuts

question

When performing nursing actions involving the possibility of splashing like emptying a urinal, what protective equipment should be worn?

answer

protective eyewear

question

What serves as a reference that explains the proper precautions that should be observed when caring for a patient on isolation?

answer

The directions posted on the client's door

question

What is the order for removing personal protective equipment?

answer

Untie outside front tie of the gown Remove gloves Remove goggles Gown: Untie neck and inside ties at the back of the gown, let it fall off your shoulder, roll inside out, touching only the inside of the gown Mask: neck tie, top tie, do not touch the front of the mask

question

What adjustments should be made on the gown to provide greater protection?

answer

pull the elastic cuffs down to cover the gloves, so no skin is exposed

question

What is the proper order for putting on personal protective equipment?

answer

gown, mask (colored side out, press metal piece to conform with your nose), eyewear, gloves

question

Where should a nurse remove her personal protective equipment after caring for a patient in isolation?

answer

in the doorway of the patient's room or in the anteroom (for all PPE but the respirator)

question

Where should a nurse remove the respirator after taking off all the other personal protective equipment?

answer

after leaving the room and closing the door

question

Why should fingertips be pointed downward while performing hand washing?

answer

To allow the contaminated water to flow downward into the sink rather than contaminating the forearms.

question

A nurse has finished washing and drying her hands. Should she turn off the faucet with the same paper towel that was used to dry her hands?

answer

No! Turn off the faucet with a new paper towel.

question

Why should health care workers use hand lotion?

answer

Keeping the skin moist prevents cracks and breaks in the skin. These cracks represent a portal of entry for infection.

question

What is a risk that can arise from using petroleum-based hand lotions?

answer

petroleum-based hand lotions can break down latex and affect the barrier integrity of latex gloves

question

Do simple masks provide sufficient protection for filtering out TB?

answer

No!HCWs would need an N-95 (orange duckbill mask) or a HEPA filter mask. These require annual fit testing.

question

When providing an N-95 or HEPA filter mask it must be fit-tested. What does this procedure involve?

answer

The health care worker is put in a chamber and then a sweet-tasting spray is released into the chamber. If the HCW is able to taste the spray they need a different-sized mask. This process determines the size of the mask that is required.

question

What is event-related sterility?

answer

Determining whether a sterile package has been contaminated regardless of expiration date. This principle assumes a package to be sterile unless the integrity of the package becomes compromised. When a nurse observes indications that lead her to suspect a package is not sterile, such a rips, tears and water marks, she should not use the package.

question

When a sterile barrier is penetrated by moisture it is considered _________________

answer

contaminated

question

Once a package has been opened, what areas are considered to be contaminated?

answer

A 1-inch border around the edges is considered unsterile.

question

When should a sterile field be prepared?

answer

as close to the time of use as possible

question

How might moisture contaminate a sterile field?

answer

The surface of the over-bed table must be disinfected with Cavi-Wipes. The nurse should delay preparation of the field until the surface is completely dry.

question

Should a nurse ever leave a sterile field unattended?

answer

No! They are not aware of what might be happening when they are away.

question

If a nurse is not sterilely gowned and gloved, how close can they come to the sterile field without contaminating it?

answer

A nurse should maintain a distance of at least 1 foot from the sterile field when they are not sterilely gowned and gloved. Because people are constantly shedding dead skin and hair and it can reach the sterile field.

question

What is one way to prevent skin from being shed onto a sterile field?

answer

Wearing a clean lab coat when preparing a sterile field. Knitted cuffs are preferable because they can prevent incidents of brushing into the sterile field.

question

For testing purposes, how close should a nurse that is not sterilely gowned and gloved come when preparing a sterile field?

answer

Students can stay 6 inches from a sterile field. They should always be facing the sterile field and should never reach over the sterile field.

question

Table drapes are only sterile at _________________

answer

table level. If an item falls onto a location that is below table level, it is considered unsterile.

question

What is the sterile zone of your gown?

answer

a gowned and gloved nurse is considered sterile from the waist up and from 2 inches above the elbow down

question

What is the proper height for adjusting the over-bed table when preparing a sterile field?

answer

should be at waist level to keep it above the sterile zone

question

When pouring a solution from a bottle of sterile solution, what should a nurse do to avoid contaminating the cap for the bottle?

answer

Set it away from the sterile field on the over-bed table with the inside facing up, or hold it in the non-pouring hand with the inside facing up.

question

What type of gloves should be used to remove a soiled wound dressing?

answer

Clean disposable gloves. Because you are wearing them for protection from the patient's blood.

question

What type of gloves should be used to insert a Foley catheter?

answer

Sterile gloves. Because you will be handling sterile items that will be entering the sterile field.

question

What type of gloves should be used to when starting an IV?

answer

Clean disposable gloves. Because you are wearing them for protection from the patient's blood.

question

When picking up a sterile glove that is folded over on its opened package, what part should you pick up to put the glove on?

answer

The area where the inside of the glove is folded over. This part will be in contact with your hands, so it will not contaminate the sterile part.

question

How should a nurse go about pulling the sterile glove away from its opened package?

answer

Pull it straight upward and step back, so it does not touch the parts of the wrapper that made contact with your hands as you were opening it. Do not drag it across the edge of the package.

question

Where should the glove be put on?

answer

In the nurse's sterile zone.

question

Once a nurse slides her hand into a glove and pulls it on, but it does not extend to its full length, should she adjust it by pulling it all the way up?

answer

No! It might contaminate the sterile part of the gloves.

question

What type of cleansing agent is more effective at reducing bacterial counts on the hands of healthcare workers? Antimicrobial soap Alcohol-based handrubs

answer

Alcohol-based handrubs. They also cause less dryness and skin irritation than soap products.

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