Infection Control and Prevention

A clinic has a policy of requiring employees to get an annual flu vaccine. Which government regulation most directly supports the rationale for this type of preventative measure?

A patient is diagnosed with tuberculosis. Which of the following combinations of transmission-based precautions is MOST appropriate according to the CDC?

An employee is splashed with potentially infectious material. What is the MOST important first step the employee should take?

You are preparing to assist a physician with an irrigation of a wound that has purulent drainage. Which combination of PPE is MOST appropriate?

A medical assistant is preparing to dispose of contaminated sharps. Which of the following actions demonstrates correct technique and compliance with safety regulations?

Universal precautions, established in 1985, mandate that all blood and bodily fluids should be treated as potentially contaminated to protect against which specific pathogens?

Besides blood, universal precautions consider all moist body secretions as potentially contaminated, EXCEPT for which one?

A patient presents with fever, loss of appetite, jaundice, and dark urine. While these symptoms are common across several types of hepatitis, which specific type is most commonly transmitted through the fecal-oral route?

A healthcare worker is accidentally stuck with a needle used on a patient with Hepatitis B. What is the MOST critical immediate action the healthcare worker should take, assuming they haven't been vaccinated?

Which of the following scenarios poses the HIGHEST risk for Hepatitis C (HCV) transmission?

Why is Hepatitis C (HCV) often called a 'silent infection'?

A patient newly diagnosed with HIV is experiencing symptoms such as weight loss, fatigue, and swollen lymph glands. What do these symptoms typically indicate?

Considering the means of transmission for Hepatitis A (HAV), Hepatitis B (HBV), and Hepatitis C (HCV), which of the following scenarios presents a risk for transmitting all three viruses?

What is the PRIMARY reason for the recommendation of routine Hepatitis B vaccination for healthcare workers?

A person who has been infected with HIV may not show symptoms for several years. During this time, can they still transmit the virus to others?

Why is it important for office-based medical assistants to be familiar with transmission-based precautions, even if they don't use them often?

A patient with suspected influenza arrives at the clinic. What is the correct order for a medical assistant to apply PPE before interacting with the patient?

Why should a medical assistant pull the gloves over the cuffs of the gown when applying PPE?

When removing a gown after treating a patient in isolation, why should the medical assistant turn the gown inside out?

After removing the gown in an isolation room, what is the next immediate step a medical assistant should take?

A medical assistant accidentally touches the outside of a contaminated gown while removing it. What is the MOST appropriate action?

Following the removal of all PPE after exposure to a patient requiring airborne precautions, what is the final step a medical assistant MUST perform?

A medical assistant is preparing to assist a physician with an incision and drainage of an abscess. Given this procedure, what PPE is MOST essential for the medical assistant to wear?

A healthcare worker is caring for a patient with a suspected respiratory infection. According to standard precautions, what is the MINIMUM distance that should be maintained between the healthcare worker and the patient?

A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection. What is the MOST appropriate action to ensure safe injection practices according to standard precautions?

Which of the following scenarios requires the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) according to standard precautions?

An emergency department nurse is assessing a patient presenting with contact dermatitis, swelling, and rhinitis. What should be the nurse's IMMEDIATE concern regarding infection control?

A hospital committee is reviewing its infection control protocols. Which of the following strategies would be MOST effective in reducing the spread of microorganisms?

A patient in a clinic is suspected of having an infection transmitted via airborne droplet nuclei. Which type of transmission-based precautions should be implemented?

A healthcare worker is caring for a patient with a known Clostridium difficile infection. What specific precautions, beyond standard precautions, should be implemented?

A patient with measles is admitted to the hospital. Which combination of precautions should be implemented to prevent the spread of infection?

What is the PRIMARY purpose of the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act passed by the United States Congress in 2000?

According to the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, what is a MANDATORY component of a healthcare facility's infection control plan?

A healthcare facility uses disposable sharps containers for the disposal of needles and other sharp objects. What ADDITIONAL measure is required by the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard?

A healthcare worker is disposing of biohazardous waste. What action is MOST critical according to the standard disposal procedure?

A newly hired nurse is reviewing the facility's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard. Which of the following activities is MOST likely to be included as a requirement?

A healthcare worker is assisting in a procedure that carries a risk of splashing body fluids. Besides gloves, what other PPE is MOST appropriate to wear?

A patient is undergoing radiation therapy. While this does not specifically fall under infection control, what PRIMARY precaution should be taken regarding this patient?

According to the guidelines for disposing of glass in a healthcare setting, what is the MOST appropriate method?

What is the primary reason for using a securing knot or twist-tie to close a red biohazard bag?

Why is it important to avoid overstuffing a red biohazard bag?

In which of the following scenarios would double-bagging an infectious waste bag be MOST appropriate?

Why should infectious waste NOT be mixed with noninfectious trash in the same container?

Where should closed red biohazard bags be stored while awaiting transport from the facility?

Why is it important to practice medical asepsis?

Which activity DOES NOT typically fall under the practice of medical asepsis?

Which of the following is the MOST important consideration when handling specimens and materials in a medical setting?

Why is it important to avoid wearing jewelry while practicing medical asepsis?

What should be done with a reusable instrument after it has been used on a patient?

What is the appropriate action to take regarding an item that falls on the floor in a healthcare setting?

Which of the following is NOT a routine part of maintaining medical asepsis in a patient examination room?

What is the MOST critical reason for removing jewelry, including rings (except for a plain wedding band), before handwashing?

During handwashing, why is it recommended to use a paper towel to turn off the faucet?

Why is it important to keep hands pointed down during handwashing?

When should a nail cleaner be used during the handwashing process?

What is the purpose of using a paper towel to turn off the faucet after handwashing?

Why is it important to apply antibacterial hand lotion after handwashing?

How far up the wrists should an alcohol-based hand rub be applied?

Assuming proper technique, what percentage of common microorganisms do waterless hand sanitizers kill, and in what timeframe?

Besides protecting the health worker, what is another key reason for using protective clothing and PPE?

What determines the selection of PPE for a specific procedure?

What is the correct way to wear a mask to ensure proper protection?

What is the correct order for removing multiple pieces of PPE?

What is the first step when applying nonsterile gloves?

During removal, where should the ungloved index finger be placed to remove the second glove?

If nonsterile gloves are contaminated by biohazards after use, how should they be disposed of?

What should a healthcare worker review before selecting PPE?

When washing your hands, for how long and with what type of motion should soap be rubbed on your hands?