CMA Infection Control and Safety 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of isolation precaution is required for a patient diagnosed with active pulmonary tuberculosis?
- Contact precautions
- Airborne precautions (Correct answer)
- Droplet precautions
- Standard precautions only
Correct answer: Airborne precautions
Active pulmonary tuberculosis requires airborne precautions because the pathogen spreads via small respiratory droplet nuclei that remain suspended in the air.
Question 2: A medical assistant is caring for a patient with influenza. Which PPE combination is most appropriate?
- Gloves only
- Gown and gloves only
- Surgical mask, gloves, and gown (Correct answer)
- N95 respirator and face shield only
Correct answer: Surgical mask, gloves, and gown
Influenza spreads by droplets, so a surgical mask, gloves, and gown are required under droplet precautions to protect against contact and respiratory exposure.
Question 3: What is the correct order for donning (putting on) PPE?
- Gloves, gown, mask, eye protection
- Gown, mask, eye protection, gloves (Correct answer)
- Mask, gloves, gown, eye protection
- Eye protection, gown, gloves, mask
Correct answer: Gown, mask, eye protection, gloves
The recommended donning sequence is gown first, then mask or respirator, then eye protection, and finally gloves to ensure the cleanest items are applied last.
Question 4: Which sterilization method is considered the gold standard for heat-tolerant medical instruments?
- Dry heat sterilization
- Chemical vapor sterilization
- Ethylene oxide sterilization
- Steam autoclave (moist heat) sterilization (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Steam autoclave (moist heat) sterilization
Steam autoclaving (moist heat at 121°C for at least 15 minutes) is the gold standard for sterilizing heat-tolerant instruments because it reliably destroys all microorganisms including spores.
Question 5: After removing contaminated gloves, a medical assistant should:
- Apply hand sanitizer, then wash hands with soap and water
- Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (Correct answer)
- Wipe hands with an antiseptic towelette
- Apply alcohol-based hand rub only if hands are visibly soiled
Correct answer: Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
After removing contaminated gloves, hands must be washed with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to remove pathogens transferred during glove removal.
Question 6: Which government agency establishes regulations for handling bloodborne pathogens in the workplace?
- CDC
- EPA
- OSHA (Correct answer)
- FDA
Correct answer: OSHA
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) enforces the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) that mandates workplace protections for healthcare workers.
Question 7: A needlestick injury should be reported to the supervisor and documented within how long?
- Within 72 hours
- Within 24 hours
- Immediately or as soon as safely possible (Correct answer)
- Within 48 hours
Correct answer: Immediately or as soon as safely possible
Needlestick injuries must be reported immediately or as soon as safely possible to allow timely post-exposure prophylaxis and proper documentation.
CMA Infection Control and Safety 2
Which type of isolation precaution is required for a patient diagnosed with active pulmonary tuberculosis?