Infection Control and Prevention: Essential Knowledge for Nurses

Question 1

What is the recommended isolation precaution for a patient with suspected or confirmed COVID-19?

Accepted Answer

Contact and droplet precautions

Answer

Contact precautions

Answer

Droplet precautions

Answer

Airborne precautions

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a component of standard precautions?

Accepted Answer

Sterilization of reusable medical devices

Answer

Hand hygiene

Answer

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Answer

Sharps safety

Question 3

Which of the following is a key principle of infection control?

Accepted Answer

Prevent the transmission of microorganisms

Answer

Promote patient comfort

Answer

Increase healthcare costs

Answer

Decrease patient satisfaction

Question 4

What is the best way to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections?

Accepted Answer

Using a closed drainage system

Answer

Changing the catheter every 24 hours

Answer

Irrigating the catheter with saline

Answer

Applying topical antibiotics to the insertion site

Question 5

Which component is NOT included in the Chain of Infection?

Accepted Answer

Incubation Period

Answer

Reservoir

Answer

Mode of Transmission

Answer

Susceptible Host

Question 6

What is the primary purpose of using transmission-based precautions?

Accepted Answer

To prevent the transmission of specific pathogens

Answer

To isolate all infected patients

Answer

To reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections

Answer

To protect healthcare workers from exposure to pathogens, but not patients

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT an example of an isolation technique?

Accepted Answer

Universal precautions

Answer

Contact isolation

Answer

Droplet isolation

Answer

Airborne isolation

Question 8

What is the key difference between disinfection and sterilization?

Accepted Answer

Sterilization kills all microorganisms, while disinfection kills most bacteria and viruses

Answer

Disinfection kills most bacteria and viruses, while sterilization kills all microorganisms

Answer

Disinfection kills all microorganisms, while sterilization kills only bacteria and viruses

Answer

Disinfection and sterilization are essentially the same process

Question 9

What is the primary role of the nurse in infection control and prevention?

Accepted Answer

Only (1) and (2)

Answer

Educating patients and staff about infection control measures

Answer

Identifying and reporting suspected infections

Answer

Implementing and monitoring infection control policies

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a type of personal protective equipment (PPE) commonly used to protect healthcare workers from exposure to pathogens?

Accepted Answer

Stethoscopes

Answer

Gloves

Answer

Masks

Answer

Gowns

Question 11

What is the recommended minimum contact time for alcohol-based hand sanitizers to be effective against most common pathogens?

Accepted Answer

15-20 seconds

Answer

30-45 seconds

Answer

60-90 seconds

Answer

120 seconds or more

Question 12

Which of the following is **not** included in the CDC's standard precautions?

Accepted Answer

Isolation precautions

Answer

Hand hygiene

Answer

Personal protective equipment

Answer

Safe injection practices

Question 13

When caring for a patient with a suspected airborne infection, which type of personal protective equipment (PPE) is **required**?

Accepted Answer

N95 respirator

Answer

Gloves

Answer

Gown

Answer

Face shield

Question 14

True or False: Isolation precautions are **only** necessary for patients with confirmed infections.

Accepted Answer

False

Answer

True

Question 15

What is the **primary purpose** of aseptic technique?

Accepted Answer

To prevent the introduction of microorganisms into a sterile environment

Answer

To eliminate existing microorganisms

Answer

To reduce the spread of microorganisms within a healthcare setting

Answer

To protect the healthcare worker from infection

Question 16

True or False: Antimicrobial stewardship programs aim to **reduce** the emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms.

Accepted Answer

True

Answer

False

Question 17

To effectively prevent the spread of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), which measure is most crucial?

Accepted Answer

Maintaining hand hygiene (e.g., handwashing, hand sanitizing)

Answer

Employing personal protective equipment (e.g., gloves, gowns)

Answer

Isolating infected patients

Answer

Disinfecting and sterilizing surfaces and equipment

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a component of standard precautions?

Accepted Answer

Wearing gloves only when handling blood or other potentially infectious materials

Answer

Using personal protective equipment (PPE) when appropriate

Answer

Performing hand hygiene frequently

Answer

Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces

Question 19

Which of the following is the primary mode of transmission for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)?

Accepted Answer

Direct contact with an infected person or contaminated surfaces

Answer

Airborne transmission

Answer

Foodborne transmission

Answer

Waterborne transmission

Question 20

What is the ultimate goal of sterilization?

Accepted Answer

To destroy all microorganisms, including spores

Answer

To remove microorganisms from surfaces

Answer

To reduce the number of microorganisms to a safe level

Answer

To prevent the growth of microorganisms

Question 21

What is the primary objective of infection control and prevention programs in healthcare settings?

Accepted Answer

To prevent and control the transmission of healthcare-associated infections

Answer

To educate patients about infections

Answer

To identify and treat infections

Question 22

Which of the following is a risk factor for developing a healthcare-associated infection?

Accepted Answer

Prolonged hospitalization

Answer

Healthy immune system

Answer

Good nutrition

Answer

Regular exercise

Question 23

What is the primary responsibility of nurses in the context of infection control and prevention?

Accepted Answer

To implement and monitor infection control practices

Answer

To provide emotional support to patients

Answer

To diagnose and treat infections