CNA Isolation Precautions — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of isolation precaution is used for residents with infections spread through large respiratory droplets, such as influenza?
- Airborne precautions
- Contact precautions
- Droplet precautions (Correct answer)
- Standard precautions only
Correct answer: Droplet precautions
Droplet precautions are used for pathogens transmitted through large respiratory droplets produced when a person coughs, sneezes, or talks. A surgical mask, gloves, and gown are required when within 3–6 feet of the resident.
Question 2: A resident is placed on airborne precautions. Which type of room is required?
- A room with a window that can be opened
- A standard private room
- An Airborne Infection Isolation Room (AIIR) with negative pressure (Correct answer)
- A room shared with another resident who has the same infection
Correct answer: An Airborne Infection Isolation Room (AIIR) with negative pressure
Airborne precautions require the resident to be placed in an Airborne Infection Isolation Room (AIIR), which has negative pressure ventilation, at least 6–12 air changes per hour, and air exhausted outside or filtered. This prevents microscopic particles from circulating to other areas.
Question 3: What PPE is required when entering the room of a resident on contact precautions?
- N95 respirator and eye protection only
- Gloves and gown (Correct answer)
- Surgical mask and gloves only
- No PPE is needed outside of standard precautions
Correct answer: Gloves and gown
Contact precautions require the use of gloves and a gown before entering the resident's room or care area. This is because the infection can spread through direct contact with the resident or indirect contact with contaminated surfaces in their environment.
Question 4: Which infection requires airborne precautions?
- C. difficile (C. diff)
- Influenza
- Tuberculosis (TB) (Correct answer)
- MRSA wound infection
Correct answer: Tuberculosis (TB)
Tuberculosis (TB) is spread through small aerosolized droplet nuclei that can remain suspended in the air for extended periods and travel longer distances. An N95 respirator (or higher) must be worn when caring for a resident with active TB.
Question 5: When removing PPE after leaving an isolation room, in what order should gloves and gown be removed?
- Gown first, then gloves
- Gloves first, then gown (Correct answer)
- Either order is acceptable
- Mask first, then gown, then gloves
Correct answer: Gloves first, then gown
The recommended order is: gloves first, then gown, then face protection (if worn), then hand hygiene. Removing gloves first prevents the contaminated outer surface of the gown from contaminating the hands, which is the most critical infection control step.
Question 6: A resident is on contact precautions for C. difficile. Which hand hygiene method is most effective?
- Alcohol-based hand rub only
- Soap and water (Correct answer)
- Either soap and water or hand sanitizer are equally effective
- Hand sanitizer with at least 70% alcohol
Correct answer: Soap and water
Soap and water is required for C. difficile because alcohol-based hand rubs do not effectively kill C. diff spores. Physical removal through scrubbing with soap and water is the only reliable method to reduce spore transmission from hands.
CNA Isolation Precautions
Which type of isolation precaution is used for residents with infections spread through large respiratory droplets, such as influenza?