CSA Infection Control & Prevention 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of Standard Precautions in a healthcare or long-term care setting?
- To reduce the risk of transmission of infectious agents by treating all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious (Correct answer)
- To isolate only patients confirmed to have infectious diseases
- To replace the need for hand hygiene when gloves are worn
- To apply protective measures exclusively to immunocompromised residents
Correct answer: To reduce the risk of transmission of infectious agents by treating all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious
Standard Precautions treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious, protecting both residents and staff regardless of known infection status.
Question 2: Which hand hygiene method is recommended by the CDC to eliminate Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) spores?
- Alcohol-based hand rub applied for at least 20 seconds
- Soap and water handwashing for at least 20 seconds (Correct answer)
- Alcohol-based hand rub with chlorhexidine additive
- Antiseptic wipes followed by an alcohol-based hand rub
Correct answer: Soap and water handwashing for at least 20 seconds
Alcohol-based hand rubs do not effectively kill C. diff spores; soap and water physically removes them from the hands.
Question 3: Which type of transmission-based precaution is required for a resident diagnosed with active tuberculosis (TB)?
- Contact Precautions
- Droplet Precautions
- Airborne Precautions (Correct answer)
- Protective Environment Precautions
Correct answer: Airborne Precautions
TB is transmitted via airborne droplet nuclei that remain suspended in the air, requiring Airborne Precautions including a negative-pressure room and N95 respirator.
Question 4: Which of the following represents the 'portal of entry' link in the chain of infection?
- A contaminated wound on a healthcare worker's hand
- A mucous membrane exposed to respiratory secretions (Correct answer)
- A resident with a suppressed immune system
- The respiratory tract of a coughing resident
Correct answer: A mucous membrane exposed to respiratory secretions
A portal of entry is the site through which an infectious agent enters a susceptible host, such as mucous membranes exposed to secretions.
Question 5: What minimum contact time with soap and water is recommended by the CDC for effective hand hygiene?
- 10 seconds
- 20 seconds (Correct answer)
- 30 seconds
- 60 seconds
Correct answer: 20 seconds
The CDC recommends scrubbing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to effectively reduce microbial contamination.
Question 6: Which Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is minimally required when providing care to a resident on Contact Precautions?
- N95 respirator and eye protection only
- Gown and gloves (Correct answer)
- Surgical mask and gloves only
- Full face shield and gown only
Correct answer: Gown and gloves
Contact Precautions require at minimum a gown and gloves to prevent direct transmission of pathogens through contact with the resident or their environment.
Question 7: What is the primary role of an infection control practitioner (ICP) or infection preventionist in a long-term care facility?
- To treat residents with confirmed infections using prescribed antibiotics
- To monitor, identify, and implement measures to prevent healthcare-associated infections (Correct answer)
- To conduct mandatory quarantine of all new admissions for 14 days
- To ensure the facility meets fire safety and building code standards
Correct answer: To monitor, identify, and implement measures to prevent healthcare-associated infections
The infection preventionist's primary role is surveillance, identification, and implementation of evidence-based measures to prevent and control infections within the facility.
CSA Infection Control & Prevention 1
What is the primary purpose of Standard Precautions in a healthcare or long-term care setting?