CNA - Certified Nursing Assistant Infection Control and Safety 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A CNA notices that a resident's wound dressing is saturated and needs to be changed. Before beginning the procedure, which action should the CNA perform first?
- Apply clean gloves and begin removing the old dressing
- Perform hand hygiene and gather all necessary supplies (Correct answer)
- Ask the resident if they are in pain before touching the wound
- Check the care plan to confirm the dressing change frequency
Correct answer: Perform hand hygiene and gather all necessary supplies
Hand hygiene must be performed before any procedure to prevent the transfer of pathogens. Gathering supplies beforehand also prevents the CNA from contaminating surfaces or leaving the resident mid-procedure, both of which are infection control and safety priorities.
Question 2: A CNA is caring for a resident placed on airborne precautions due to active pulmonary tuberculosis. Which personal protective equipment (PPE) must the CNA wear before entering the room?
- Surgical mask and gloves
- N95 respirator and gown (Correct answer)
- N95 respirator alone
- Face shield and surgical mask
Correct answer: N95 respirator and gown
Airborne precautions for TB require an N95 respirator (not a standard surgical mask) because TB particles are small enough to remain suspended in air. A gown is also required to protect clothing from contamination during direct care.
Question 3: A CNA has just removed gloves after assisting a resident with toileting. What is the correct next step?
- Apply hand sanitizer over the outside of the gloves before removing them
- Perform hand hygiene immediately after glove removal (Correct answer)
- Put on a new pair of gloves before touching any other surface
- Wipe hands with a clean paper towel without additional hand hygiene
Correct answer: Perform hand hygiene immediately after glove removal
Gloves can have small, invisible tears and hands can become contaminated during removal. Performing hand hygiene immediately after glove removal is a fundamental infection control standard that prevents the spread of microorganisms.
Question 4: During morning rounds, a CNA notices a spill of body fluid on the floor near a resident's bed. What is the safest and most appropriate immediate action?
- Wipe up the spill with a paper towel using bare hands to act quickly
- Alert housekeeping and leave the area unattended until they arrive
- Don gloves, clean the spill, and apply a facility-approved disinfectant to the area (Correct answer)
- Place a wet-floor sign only and wait for the charge nurse to assess the spill
Correct answer: Don gloves, clean the spill, and apply a facility-approved disinfectant to the area
Body fluid spills require prompt cleaning with appropriate PPE (at minimum, gloves) and disinfection with a facility-approved solution. Leaving the spill unattended creates a fall and infection risk, and bare-hand contact is never acceptable.
Question 5: A CNA is preparing to use a blood pressure cuff that was previously used by a resident on contact precautions. What should the CNA do before using it on another resident?
- Wipe the cuff with a dry cloth to remove visible debris
- Disinfect the cuff with a facility-approved disinfectant wipe and allow it to dry (Correct answer)
- Rinse the cuff under warm running water
- Ask the charge nurse if the cuff can be shared between residents
Correct answer: Disinfect the cuff with a facility-approved disinfectant wipe and allow it to dry
Equipment used on a resident in contact precautions must be thoroughly disinfected with an approved disinfectant before use on another resident. Allowing drying time ensures the disinfectant has adequate contact time to kill pathogens.
Question 6: A CNA accidentally sustains a needlestick injury while assisting a nurse with a procedure. What is the correct immediate response?
- Apply a bandage and continue with the current task, then report it at end of shift
- Immediately wash the wound with soap and water, then report to the charge nurse and follow facility exposure protocol (Correct answer)
- Squeeze the wound to express blood, apply antiseptic, and document the incident independently
- Rinse with hand sanitizer and notify the charge nurse within the hour
Correct answer: Immediately wash the wound with soap and water, then report to the charge nurse and follow facility exposure protocol
The immediate priority after a needlestick is to wash the site thoroughly with soap and water, then promptly report to the charge nurse so the facility's exposure control protocol can be followed, including evaluation for bloodborne pathogen exposure. Delays in reporting can affect treatment options.
CNA - Certified Nursing Assistant Infection Control and Safety 1
A CNA notices that a resident's wound dressing is saturated and needs to be changed.
Before beginning the procedure, which action should the CNA perform first?