HCA Infection Prevention and Control 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of transmission occurs when infected droplets travel more than 6 feet through the air and remain suspended for extended periods?
- Droplet transmission
- Airborne transmission (Correct answer)
- Contact transmission
- Vehicle transmission
Correct answer: Airborne transmission
Airborne transmission involves tiny particles (droplet nuclei) that remain suspended in air and can travel long distances, unlike larger droplets that fall quickly.
Question 2: A health care assistant is caring for a patient with C. difficile (C. diff). Which hand hygiene method is most effective after removing gloves?
- Alcohol-based hand rub
- Soap and water handwashing (Correct answer)
- Hand sanitizer wipes
- Antiseptic gel
Correct answer: Soap and water handwashing
Soap and water is required for C. diff because alcohol-based products are ineffective against C. diff spores; mechanical friction with water physically removes the spores.
Question 3: What does the acronym PPE stand for in infection control?
- Patient Protection Equipment
- Personal Protective Equipment (Correct answer)
- Preventive Precaution Ensemble
- Pathogen Prevention Equipment
Correct answer: Personal Protective Equipment
PPE stands for Personal Protective Equipment, which includes gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection used to protect both patients and healthcare workers.
Question 4: When donning (putting on) PPE, what is the correct order of steps?
- Gloves, gown, mask, eye protection
- Gown, mask, eye protection, gloves (Correct answer)
- Mask, gown, gloves, eye protection
- Eye protection, gloves, gown, mask
Correct answer: Gown, mask, eye protection, gloves
The CDC-recommended donning order is gown first, then mask/respirator, then eye protection, then gloves so that each item protects the next.
Question 5: A patient is placed on droplet precautions. How far away from the patient should a surgical mask be worn by the HCA when entering the room?
- At least 10 feet
- Within 3 feet
- Only during direct contact
- Whenever entering the room regardless of distance (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Whenever entering the room regardless of distance
Droplet precautions require wearing a surgical mask upon entering the patient's room, regardless of the distance, because droplets can travel unpredictably within the enclosed space.
Question 6: Which of the following is an example of an endogenous source of infection?
- Contaminated medical equipment
- Patient's own normal flora that becomes pathogenic (Correct answer)
- An infected visitor
- Contaminated IV fluids
Correct answer: Patient's own normal flora that becomes pathogenic
Endogenous infections originate from the patient's own microorganisms (e.g., normal flora) that cause infection when immunity is compromised or flora moves to a new site.
Question 7: What is the primary purpose of an isolation gown in a healthcare setting?
- To keep the HCA warm during long shifts
- To protect clothing and skin from contact with infectious material (Correct answer)
- To identify the HCA's role to other staff
- To prevent the patient from acquiring new infections
Correct answer: To protect clothing and skin from contact with infectious material
Isolation gowns act as a barrier to protect the HCA's skin and clothing from blood, body fluids, and microorganisms that could cause infection.
HCA Infection Prevention and Control 2
Which type of transmission occurs when infected droplets travel more than 6 feet through the air and remain suspended for extended periods?