Infection Control & Prevention Flashcards
7 cards from real ACT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Infection Control & Prevention flashcards as text
Environmental surfaces in a therapy room are classified as 'noncritical' items. They require:
Answer: Low- to intermediate-level disinfection or cleaning
Noncritical surfaces that contact only intact skin require low- to intermediate-level disinfection, per the Spaulding framework.
During influenza season, a behavioral health facility should PRIMARILY rely on which measure to protect vulnerable clients?
Answer: Annual influenza vaccination for all staff and eligible clients
Annual influenza vaccination of staff and clients is the most effective measure to prevent influenza transmission in behavioral health settings.
A client with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin infection is seen in outpatient therapy. The therapist should:
Answer: Implement contact precautions and clean the room after the session
Contact precautions (gloves and gown) and thorough post-session environmental cleaning are the appropriate response for MRSA skin infections in outpatient settings.
Which of the following is the CORRECT definition of 'sterilization' in the context of infection control?
Answer: Elimination of all forms of microbial life, including spores
Sterilization destroys all forms of microbial life including bacterial endospores, the most resistant form.
A behavioral health therapist works with clients who inject drugs. Which harm-reduction strategy ALSO addresses infection prevention?
Answer: Referring clients to syringe service programs (SSPs)
Syringe service programs reduce bloodborne pathogen transmission by providing sterile equipment and linking clients to health services.
Which action by a therapist VIOLATES proper infection control when treating a client with a known multi-drug resistant organism (MDRO)?
Answer: Using the same blood pressure cuff on another client without disinfecting
Using contaminated shared equipment on another client without disinfection is a direct route for MDRO transmission and violates contact precaution protocols.
The 'chain of infection' model is useful in behavioral health because it helps identify:
Answer: Intervention points where transmission can be interrupted
The chain of infection model identifies six links — including reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, and susceptible host — each representing an opportunity to break transmission.