Infection Control Flashcards
7 cards from real PCA 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 flashcards as text
How long should a PCA scrub their hands with soap and water to effectively remove pathogens?
Answer: 20 seconds
The CDC recommends scrubbing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to effectively remove germs.
When is alcohol-based hand sanitizer NOT an acceptable substitute for soap and water?
Answer: When hands are visibly soiled
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not effective when hands are visibly dirty or contaminated; soap and water must be used instead.
A PCA is caring for a client with MRSA. Which type of precautions must be added on top of standard precautions?
Answer: Contact precautions
MRSA spreads through direct contact, so contact precautions (gloves and gown) are required in addition to standard precautions.
In what order should a PCA don PPE when entering an isolation room?
Answer: Mask, gown, goggles, gloves
The correct donning order is mask first, then gown, then goggles or face shield, and gloves last.
A PCA accidentally splashes body fluid on their face. What should they do FIRST?
Answer: Flush the affected area with water for 15 minutes
The immediate first step after any body fluid splash is to flush the affected area with copious amounts of water.
Which action breaks the chain of infection at the 'portal of exit'?
Answer: Teaching the client to cover their mouth when coughing
Covering the mouth during coughing or sneezing blocks the portal of exit by preventing pathogens from leaving the host.
A PCA must remove their gloves after caring for a client. What is the correct technique?
Answer: Grasp the outside of one glove and peel it off, then slide fingers under the remaining glove cuff
The safe glove removal technique peels the first glove from the outside and removes the second by reaching inside the cuff to avoid touching contaminated surfaces.