LPN Standard Precautions and Transmission-Based Precautions 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A nurse sustains a needlestick injury from a patient with unknown HIV status. What is the FIRST action the nurse should take?
- Report the incident to the charge nurse
- Immediately wash the site with soap and water (Correct answer)
- Apply a tourniquet above the injury site
- Obtain blood from the patient for HIV testing
Correct answer: Immediately wash the site with soap and water
The immediate first step after a needlestick is to wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water to reduce the risk of infection transmission.
Question 2: Which patient should be placed in a private room under airborne precautions?
- A patient with wound MRSA
- A patient with measles (Correct answer)
- A patient with influenza A
- A patient with RSV
Correct answer: A patient with measles
Measles (rubeola) is transmitted via airborne droplet nuclei and requires airborne precautions including a negative-pressure private room.
Question 3: When should gloves be changed during patient care?
- Only when visibly soiled
- After each patient contact only
- When moving from a contaminated body site to a clean site on the same patient (Correct answer)
- Only before performing invasive procedures
Correct answer: When moving from a contaminated body site to a clean site on the same patient
Gloves must be changed when moving from a contaminated body site (e.g., perineal area) to a clean site on the same patient to prevent cross-contamination.
Question 4: A patient on contact precautions requires a blood pressure measurement. What should the nurse do with the blood pressure cuff?
- Use the standard shared hall cuff and clean it after
- Dedicate a blood pressure cuff for use in that patient's room only (Correct answer)
- Avoid taking blood pressure on contact precaution patients
- Use a disposable cuff only if the patient has MRSA
Correct answer: Dedicate a blood pressure cuff for use in that patient's room only
Contact precautions require dedicating non-critical patient care equipment (like BP cuffs) to a single patient to prevent organism spread.
Question 5: Which organism is the MOST common indication for droplet precautions?
- MRSA
- Influenza (Correct answer)
- C. difficile
- VRE
Correct answer: Influenza
Influenza is spread via large respiratory droplets and is one of the most common reasons for implementing droplet precautions in healthcare settings.
Question 6: Eye protection or a face shield is required under standard precautions when:
- Entering any patient room
- There is risk of splash or spray of blood or body fluids to the face (Correct answer)
- Caring for any patient with an infection
- Administering IV medications
Correct answer: There is risk of splash or spray of blood or body fluids to the face
Standard precautions require eye protection (goggles or face shield) when there is a reasonably anticipated risk of splash or spray of blood or body fluids to the mucous membranes of the eyes.
Question 7: Which precaution type uses a negative-pressure room as a requirement?
- Standard precautions
- Contact precautions
- Droplet precautions
- Airborne precautions (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Airborne precautions
Airborne precautions require a negative-pressure room (AIIR — Airborne Infection Isolation Room) to prevent airborne pathogens from escaping into the corridor.
LPN Standard Precautions and Transmission-Based Precautions 3
A nurse sustains a needlestick injury from a patient with unknown HIV status.
What is the FIRST action the nurse should take?