Infection Control and Safety Flashcards
7 cards from real CNA 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 and Safety flashcards as text
Which microorganisms are NOT killed by alcohol-based hand sanitizers and require soap and water for effective removal?
Answer: C. difficile spores
C. difficile forms hardy spores that are resistant to alcohol; soap-and-water handwashing is required to mechanically remove them.
A resident on airborne precautions needs to be transported to radiology. What precaution is REQUIRED during transport?
Answer: The resident wears a surgical mask during transport
During transport, the patient with airborne precautions wears a surgical mask to minimize dispersal of airborne particles.
Proper hand hygiene before and after caring for each resident is an example of which link in the chain of infection being broken?
Answer: Blocking the mode of transmission
Hand hygiene interrupts the mode of transmission — the pathway by which microorganisms travel from one host to another.
Which action by a CNA VIOLATES infection control principles when caring for a resident with an open wound?
Answer: Reusing gloves between wound care and personal hygiene tasks
Gloves must never be reused between tasks; reusing gloves cross-contaminates surfaces and residents.
What is the minimum water temperature required when washing hands with soap and water according to infection control guidelines?
Answer: Warm water is preferred
Warm water is preferred as it promotes soap lather and is comfortable enough to allow proper 20-second scrubbing; very hot water can damage skin.
A CNA is asked to collect a stool specimen from a resident suspected of having C. difficile. Which precaution is MOST important?
Answer: Wear gloves and wash hands with soap and water after specimen handling
Because C. difficile spores resist alcohol, handwashing with soap and water is essential after handling specimens from suspected cases.
Which of the following is the BEST example of engineering controls used for infection prevention in a healthcare facility?
Answer: Installing hands-free (no-touch) faucets and trash receptacles
Engineering controls like hands-free fixtures remove the need for contact with potentially contaminated surfaces, reducing transmission without relying on individual behavior.