RCFE Infection Control and Prevention 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the single most effective method to prevent the spread of infections in an RCFE?
- Regular use of antibiotics among staff
- Frequent and proper handwashing (Correct answer)
- Wearing gloves at all times
- Keeping residents isolated in their rooms
Correct answer: Frequent and proper handwashing
Proper handwashing remains the most effective measure to prevent transmission of infectious agents in care settings, according to the CDC.
Question 2: What is the CDC-recommended minimum duration for effective handwashing?
- 5 seconds
- 10 seconds
- 20 seconds (Correct answer)
- 60 seconds
Correct answer: 20 seconds
The CDC recommends scrubbing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to effectively remove pathogens.
Question 3: When are RCFE staff required to use gloves during resident care?
- Only during medication administration
- When potential contact with blood, body fluids, or mucous membranes is anticipated (Correct answer)
- Only when a resident has a confirmed diagnosis
- At all times when entering any resident room
Correct answer: When potential contact with blood, body fluids, or mucous membranes is anticipated
Standard precautions require gloves whenever contact with blood, body fluids, mucous membranes, or non-intact skin is anticipated, regardless of a resident's known status.
Question 4: A resident in an RCFE is diagnosed with active tuberculosis (TB). Which type of isolation precaution is required?
- Contact precautions
- Droplet precautions
- Airborne precautions (Correct answer)
- Standard precautions only
Correct answer: Airborne precautions
TB is transmitted via airborne particles that remain suspended in the air, requiring airborne precautions including N95 respirators and proper ventilation.
Question 5: Which of the following is the correct procedure for disposing of used sharps in an RCFE?
- Recap needles carefully and place in regular trash
- Place directly into a puncture-resistant sharps container (Correct answer)
- Wrap in paper towels and place in a biohazard bag
- Return to the medication room for processing
Correct answer: Place directly into a puncture-resistant sharps container
Used sharps must be immediately placed in a designated puncture-resistant sharps container to prevent needlestick injuries and exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
Question 6: RCFE staff who develop symptoms of a contagious illness should:
- Continue working but wear a surgical mask
- Notify a supervisor and refrain from working until medically cleared (Correct answer)
- Work only with residents who are in private rooms
- Take over-the-counter medication and complete their shift
Correct answer: Notify a supervisor and refrain from working until medically cleared
Staff with symptoms of contagious illness must notify their supervisor and stay home to protect vulnerable elderly residents from exposure.
Question 7: What is the most important purpose of maintaining an infection control log in an RCFE?
- To satisfy insurance documentation requirements
- To track infection patterns, identify outbreaks, and guide preventive measures (Correct answer)
- To record individual staff sick days
- To satisfy family member requests for information
Correct answer: To track infection patterns, identify outbreaks, and guide preventive measures
Infection control logs help identify trends and emerging outbreaks, enabling timely intervention to protect residents and staff before an outbreak worsens.
RCFE Infection Control and Prevention 1
What is the single most effective method to prevent the spread of infections in an RCFE?