Infection Control Practices

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary goal of infection control practices in healthcare settings?

To minimize or eliminate the spread of infectious agents to patients and staff. (correct)

To ensure all healthcare workers are vaccinated against common diseases.

To accelerate patient recovery times through aggressive treatment strategies.

To reduce the cost of medical supplies required for patient care.

Which strategy is MOST effective in maintaining healthcare environments free from infectious agents?

Restricting patient movement within the healthcare facility to limit potential spread.

Implementing routine hand hygiene practices and appropriate environmental cleaning and disinfection. (correct)

Using strong chemical disinfectants on all surfaces daily, regardless of contamination.

Relying solely on air purification systems to remove airborne pathogens.

What role do standard precautions primarily play in preventing infection transmission?

They reduce healthcare costs by avoiding unnecessary testing.

They ensure all patients receive the same basic level of protective measures, regardless of infection status. (correct)

They serve to isolate patients with known infections from the general patient population.

They create a barrier preventing occupational exposures.

In the context of infection control, what does 'rendering objects free from infectious agents' primarily involve?

Applying sterilization or disinfection techniques to medical devices and surfaces. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios represents a situation where strict adherence to infection control protocols is MOST critical?

When providing direct care to immunocompromised patients. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of standard infection control precautions regarding waste disposal?

Ensuring safe handling and disposal of all waste, including sharps, to prevent infection transmission. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why is occupational safety, including the management and prevention of exposure to blood and body fluids, a crucial component of standard infection control precautions?

To protect healthcare workers from potential infections and ensure a safe working environment. (B) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of standard infection control, what is the most important consideration when managing sharps?

Preventing needlestick injuries and ensuring safe disposal practices. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Aside from sharps, what other type of waste requires especially careful handling and disposal procedures under standard infection control precautions?

Contaminated blood and body fluid waste. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How do standard infection control precautions address the risk of exposure incidents involving blood and body fluids in the workplace?

By providing guidelines for immediate cleaning, reporting, and follow-up after an exposure incident. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to dispose of used tissues promptly into a waste bin after sneezing or coughing?

To prevent the spread of respiratory pathogens by reducing environmental contamination. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why is risk assessment important when making patient placement decisions?

To align placement with clinical or care needs and infection control. (B) Signup and view all the answers

In the absence of running water and soap, what is the recommended alternative for hand hygiene after coughing or sneezing?

Using hand wipes followed by ABHR, then washing hands at the first opportunity. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it recommended to use the crook of the arm when a disposable tissue is not available while coughing or sneezing?

It prevents the transmission of pathogens to the hands, reducing the risk of spreading infection. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following symptoms in a patient should immediately raise concerns about cross-infection risk?

Diarrhea, vomiting, unexplained rash, fever, or respiratory symptoms. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for keeping contaminated hands away from the eyes, nose, and mouth?

To minimise the risk of self-inoculation with respiratory pathogens. (D) Signup and view all the answers

A patient with a history of MRSA is being admitted. What infection control measures are most important?

Apply standard infection control precautions and isolate the patient. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of identifying patients who have been recently hospitalized when considering the risk of CPE?

Recent hospitalization could indicate the patient's risk of being a carrier of CPE. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why is washing hands with non-antimicrobial liquid soap and warm water recommended over using only water after contact with respiratory secretions?

Soap and water physically remove pathogens, while water alone may not. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What should be the primary focus of infection control measures?

To assess and reduce the risk of cross-infection in alignment with patient care needs. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the most important reason for immediately placing used linen in an impermeable bag at the point of removal?

To minimize the risk of cross-contamination and the spread of microorganisms. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why should laundry receptacles not be filled beyond two-thirds capacity?

Overfilling increases the risk of linen spillage and re-handling, compromising hygiene. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for avoiding rinsing, shaking, or sorting linen immediately after removing it from beds or trolleys?

Such activity increases the potential for dispersal of microorganisms into the environment. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following actions is most important when handling used linen to comply with safety protocols?

Ensuring that a laundry receptacle is available as close as possible to the point of use. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to avoid placing inappropriate items (e.g., used equipment/needles) in laundry receptacles?

To prevent damage to the washing machines and laundry equipment. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is the most critical factor in classifying waste as clinical waste?

Potential to cause disease in humans or other living organisms. (C) Signup and view all the answers

A veterinary clinic generates waste including used bandages, animal blood and urine. What determines if this waste is classified as clinical waste?

The waste is clinical only if there's a known or reliable belief it contains disease-causing microorganisms or toxins. (C) Signup and view all the answers

A rural clinic disposes of expired vaccines. How should the staff determine if these vaccines are clinical waste?

Check if the vaccines contain live or attenuated microorganisms, or toxins that could cause diseases. (B) Signup and view all the answers

In a research lab, scientists are working with a novel bacterial strain. What criteria must be met for any waste from this research to be considered clinical waste?

There must be confirmation or a strong belief that the waste contains viable microorganisms or toxins known or believed to cause disease. (B) Signup and view all the answers

During a medical procedure, a doctor uses a scalpel. When disposing of the used scalpel, what determines whether it is classified as sharps waste or clinical waste, or both?

If the scalpel has either disease-causing contents or is potentially disease-causing, it is considered clinical. The scalpel is always sharps waste. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Infection Control

Methods to reduce or prevent the transmission of infectious agents.

Infectious Agents

Microorganisms like bacteria or viruses that can cause diseases.