Infection Control & Prevention Flashcards

Which CDC transmission-based precaution category is required for a patient with active pulmonary tuberculosis?

Answer: Airborne precautions

Airborne precautions are required for TB because M. tuberculosis is transmitted via small droplet nuclei that remain suspended in air.

A therapist notices a client has an open wound with purulent drainage during a session. The FIRST action should be to:

Answer: Don Don gloves and contact the supervising nurse or physician

Donning gloves and notifying a medical professional protects both therapist and client from potential pathogen exposure.

Which hand hygiene product is MOST effective against Clostridioides difficile spores?

Answer: Soap and water

C. difficile spores are not killed by alcohol; soap and water physically removes them from hands.

The recommended sequence for donning PPE in a contact precaution room is:

Answer: Gown → Mask → Goggles → Gloves

CDC guidelines specify gown first, then mask/goggles, then gloves so that gloves cover gown cuffs and remain the last item contaminated.

A behavioral health facility is experiencing an outbreak of norovirus. Which measure is MOST important to reduce transmission?

Answer: Cohorting affected clients and enforcing hand hygiene

Cohorting ill individuals and rigorous hand hygiene are the cornerstones of norovirus outbreak control.

When performing a telehealth session, infection control responsibilities of the clinician PRIMARILY include:

Answer: Maintaining a clean workspace and disinfecting shared devices

During telehealth, clinicians should maintain a clean personal workspace and sanitize shared equipment such as keyboards and microphones.

Which bloodborne pathogen has the HIGHEST risk of transmission from a single needlestick exposure?

Answer: Hepatitis B virus

Hepatitis B virus has a needlestick transmission risk of approximately 6–30%, far exceeding HIV (~0.3%) and HCV (~1.8%).