Infection Control Flashcards

Which bloodborne pathogen is most easily transmitted through a needlestick injury?

Answer: Hepatitis B (HBV)

Hepatitis B is the most infectious bloodborne pathogen and can survive on environmental surfaces for up to 7 days.

Standard precautions apply to:

Answer: All clients regardless of their diagnosis or infection status

Standard precautions are applied to ALL clients at all times because infectious status may be unknown or undiagnosed.

The 'reservoir' in the chain of infection refers to:

Answer: The place where pathogens live and multiply

The reservoir is where the pathogen lives and multiplies, such as a human body, animal, contaminated water, or soil.

A PCA assisting a client with influenza should primarily use which PPE?

Answer: Surgical mask and gloves

Influenza spreads through respiratory droplets, so a surgical mask (which blocks droplets) along with gloves is the most appropriate PPE combination.

When must a PCA change gloves and perform hand hygiene mid-task during client care?

Answer: When moving from a contaminated body area to a clean area on the same client

Gloves must be changed when moving from a contaminated area (such as the perineal area) to a clean area to prevent spreading microorganisms.

An effective way to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) is to:

Answer: Maintain a closed drainage system and keep the bag below bladder level

A closed catheter drainage system with the collection bag always kept below the bladder prevents backflow of urine and reduces CAUTI risk.

A PCA should perform hand hygiene immediately AFTER which of the following situations?

Answer: After removing gloves following client contact

Gloves are not a substitute for hand hygiene; hands must be washed or sanitized immediately after removing gloves because contamination can occur during removal.