CPC Infection Control and Communicable Disease Prevention 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of Standard Precautions in community paramedicine?
- To protect only patients with known infectious diseases
- To treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious regardless of diagnosis (Correct answer)
- To require full PPE for every patient encounter
- To replace the need for hand hygiene when gloves are worn
Correct answer: To treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious regardless of diagnosis
Standard Precautions treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious, protecting both patients and providers regardless of known infectious status.
Question 2: Which type of PPE is most appropriate when performing wound irrigation that may cause splashing of body fluids?
- Gloves only
- Gloves and gown
- Gloves, gown, and face shield or mask with eye protection (Correct answer)
- N95 respirator only
Correct answer: Gloves, gown, and face shield or mask with eye protection
When splashing of body fluids is anticipated, gloves, a gown, and a face shield or mask with eye protection are all required to protect mucous membranes and skin.
Question 3: Which of the following is the correct hand hygiene technique after removing contaminated gloves?
- Wipe hands on a clean cloth
- Apply hand sanitizer only if hands appear soiled
- Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand rub (Correct answer)
- Wear a second pair of gloves without hand washing
Correct answer: Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand rub
After removing gloves, hands must be washed with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or cleaned with an alcohol-based hand rub, as gloves do not eliminate all contamination risk.
Question 4: Which of the following pathogens is classified as a bloodborne pathogen under OSHA standards?
- Influenza A virus
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) (Correct answer)
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
Correct answer: Hepatitis C virus (HCV)
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a bloodborne pathogen transmitted through contact with infected blood, regulated by OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.
Question 5: What is the correct method for disposing of a used needle during a home visit in community paramedicine?
- Recap the needle and place it in the regular trash
- Place uncapped in a puncture-resistant sharps container immediately after use (Correct answer)
- Break the needle off the syringe before disposal
- Leave it capped on the patient's table for later pickup
Correct answer: Place uncapped in a puncture-resistant sharps container immediately after use
Used needles must be placed immediately, without recapping, into an approved puncture-resistant sharps container to prevent needlestick injuries.
Question 6: Which transmission-based precaution category requires the use of an N95 respirator or higher?
- Contact precautions
- Droplet precautions
- Airborne precautions (Correct answer)
- Standard precautions
Correct answer: Airborne precautions
Airborne precautions require an N95 respirator because airborne pathogens like Mycobacterium tuberculosis remain suspended in the air and can travel long distances.
Question 7: A community paramedic is visiting a patient with confirmed active pulmonary tuberculosis. Which PPE must be worn during the encounter?
- Surgical mask and gloves
- N95 respirator, gloves, and gown (Correct answer)
- Face shield and gloves only
- No PPE is required if the visit is brief
Correct answer: N95 respirator, gloves, and gown
Active pulmonary TB requires airborne precautions including an N95 respirator, along with gloves and gown to prevent contact transmission.
CPC Infection Control and Communicable Disease Prevention 1
What is the primary purpose of Standard Precautions in community paramedicine?