Infection Control for Nurses: Essential Knowledge for Preventing Infections

Question 1

In addition to hand hygiene, which of the following is a crucial infection control practice?

Accepted Answer

Utilizing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Accepted Answer

Regularly cleaning and disinfecting surfaces

Accepted Answer

Isolating patients

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a standard precaution to prevent the spread of infection?

Accepted Answer

Wearing a mask only when splashes are anticipated

Answer

Using personal protective equipment (PPE) when appropriate

Answer

Covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing

Answer

Washing hands frequently with soap and water

Question 3

Which of the following isolation precautions is implemented when a patient is diagnosed with MRSA?

Accepted Answer

Contact precautions

Answer

Droplet precautions

Answer

No precautions necessary

Answer

Airborne precautions

Question 4

What is the most effective method to prevent surgical site infections?

Accepted Answer

Maintaining a sterile surgical field

Answer

Administering antibiotics before surgery

Answer

Shaving the surgical area

Answer

Using clean linens and gowns

Question 5

In which situation is it appropriate for a healthcare worker to wear gloves?

Accepted Answer

When there is a potential for contact with blood or body fluids

Answer

When working in a sterile environment

Answer

When providing care to a patient with a respiratory infection

Question 6

What is a common source of healthcare-associated infections?

Accepted Answer

Inadequate hand hygiene

Answer

Proper waste disposal

Answer

Effective environmental cleaning

Answer

Appropriate use of isolation precautions

Question 7

What is the primary purpose of aseptic technique?

Accepted Answer

To prevent the introduction of microorganisms into a sterile area

Answer

To prevent cross-contamination

Answer

To kill microorganisms on surfaces

Question 8

What is the primary role of nurses in infection control?

Accepted Answer

To implement and monitor infection control practices

Answer

To diagnose and treat infections

Answer

To conduct research on infection control

Question 9

What is the most important measure to prevent healthcare-associated infections?

Accepted Answer

Hand hygiene

Answer

Environmental cleaning

Answer

Isolation precautions

Answer

Proper use of PPE

Question 10

Which type of isolation is necessary for patients with suspected or confirmed airborne infections?

Accepted Answer

Negative pressure room with HEPA filtration

Answer

Droplet isolation

Answer

Standard isolation

Answer

Contact isolation

Question 11

What is the primary purpose of hand hygiene in healthcare settings?

Accepted Answer

To reduce the spread of microorganisms and prevent infections

Answer

To keep healthcare workers comfortable

Answer

To prevent contamination of equipment

Question 12

What is the recommended duration for handwashing with soap and water?

Accepted Answer

20-30 seconds

Answer

10 seconds

Answer

5 seconds

Answer

15 seconds

Question 13

Which of the following is a major cause of nosocomial infections?

Accepted Answer

Multidrug-resistant bacteria

Answer

Parasitic infections

Answer

Viral infections

Answer

Fungal infections

Question 14

What is the primary responsibility of an infection control nurse?

Accepted Answer

To develop and implement infection prevention and control programs

Answer

To provide direct patient care

Answer

To conduct research on infectious diseases

Question 15

Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is used to protect against airborne infections?

Accepted Answer

N95 respirator

Answer

Gown

Answer

Gloves

Answer

Eye shield

Question 16

What is the primary goal of antibiotic stewardship programs?

Accepted Answer

To optimize antibiotic use and reduce the emergence of antibiotic resistance

Answer

To prevent the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Answer

To educate patients about antibiotic use

Question 17

Which of the following is a recommended practice for preventing catheter-associated urinary tract infections?

Accepted Answer

Maintaining a closed drainage system

Answer

Administering prophylactic antibiotics

Answer

Irrigating the catheter with saline

Answer

Changing the catheter every 24 hours

Question 18

The primary purpose of infection control practices is to:

Accepted Answer

Prevent or minimize the spread of microorganisms

Answer

Treat infections with antibiotics

Answer

Eliminate all microorganisms from healthcare environments

Answer

Identify and isolate infected individuals immediately

Question 19

Which hand hygiene method is most effective at removing transient microorganisms?

Accepted Answer

Handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds

Answer

Using gloves without washing hands

Answer

Washing with plain water

Answer

Hand sanitizing

Question 20

When using personal protective equipment (PPE), it is crucial to:

Accepted Answer

Wear it only when necessary and remove it promptly after use

Answer

Wear it at all times, even during breaks

Answer

Reuse PPE as much as possible to save resources

Answer

Ignore the manufacturer's instructions

Question 21

Which of the following is a potential risk factor for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)?

Accepted Answer

Prolonged hospital stays

Answer

Strong immune system

Answer

Adherence to good hygiene practices

Answer

Effective infection control measures

Question 22

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends which type of mask for routine patient care?

Accepted Answer

Surgical mask

Answer

No mask is required

Answer

Cloth mask

Answer

Respirator mask

Question 23

Which of the following is a responsibility of nurses in infection control?

Accepted Answer

Implementing infection control policies and procedures

Answer

Maintaining hospital equipment

Answer

Performing laboratory tests

Answer

Prescribing antibiotics to infected patients

Question 24

Contact precautions are typically indicated when a patient is known or suspected to have:

Accepted Answer

An infection spread through direct or indirect contact

Answer

An infection requiring isolation in a negative pressure room

Answer

An airborne infection

Question 25

Which of the following is a symptom of a surgical site infection (SSI)?

Accepted Answer

Purulent drainage

Answer

Pain without redness

Answer

Fever only

Answer

Itching

Question 26

The Joint Commission requires healthcare organizations to:

Accepted Answer

Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of their infection control programs

Answer

Use only single-use medical devices

Answer

Hire only nurses certified in infection control

Answer

Report all HAIs to the state health department immediately

Question 27

Which of the following is a primary mode of transmission for infectious agents in healthcare settings, involving direct or indirect contact with an infected person or contaminated surfaces?

Accepted Answer

Contact

Answer

Vehicle

Answer

Droplet

Answer

Airborne

Question 28

What is the primary purpose of hand hygiene in infection control?

Accepted Answer

To eliminate or significantly reduce microorganisms present on the hands

Answer

To protect healthcare workers from pathogens

Answer

To ensure patient safety

Answer

To prevent the spread of infections

Question 29

Which of the following personal protective equipment (PPE) is primarily used to prevent contact transmission of infectious agents?

Accepted Answer

Gloves

Answer

Gown

Answer

Respirator

Answer

Mask

Question 30

What is the primary objective of isolation precautions in infection control?

Accepted Answer

To prevent the spread of infectious agents from infected patients to others in the healthcare setting

Answer

To facilitate easier monitoring of patients

Answer

To provide comfort and privacy to infected patients

Question 31

Which of the following is a cornerstone of an effective infection prevention program in healthcare settings?

Accepted Answer

Surveillance

Answer

Mandatory overtime for nurses

Answer

Punishment of healthcare workers for infection-related errors

Answer

Zero tolerance for medication errors

Question 32

What is the definition of Standard Precautions?

Accepted Answer

Infection control practices that should be followed with all patients, regardless of their infection status, to prevent the spread of infections

Answer

Precautions only used with patients who have a confirmed or suspected infection

Question 33

Which of the following is NOT a component of the chain of infection?

Accepted Answer

Treatment

Answer

Infectious agent

Answer

Reservoir

Answer

Mode of transmission

Question 34

Which factor is considered the single most important measure in preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)?

Accepted Answer

Hand hygiene

Answer

Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

Answer

Isolation of infected patients

Answer

Environmental cleaning and disinfection

Question 35

Which type of isolation precaution is implemented for patients with highly contagious infections that can be spread through the air?

Accepted Answer

Airborne isolation

Answer

Droplet isolation

Answer

Contact isolation

Answer

Enteric isolation

Question 36

Which isolation precautions are implemented for a patient with MRSA?

Accepted Answer

Contact precautions

Answer

Standard precautions

Answer

Airborne precautions

Answer

Droplet precautions

Question 37

Which of the following is the main mode of transmission for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)?

Accepted Answer

Contaminated hands

Answer

Airborne droplets

Answer

Fomites

Answer

Water sources

Question 38

What is the primary purpose of donning and doffing personal protective equipment (PPE) in healthcare settings?

Accepted Answer

To prevent the transmission of infection

Answer

To protect healthcare workers from hazardous chemicals

Answer

To maintain patient privacy

Answer

To comply with hospital regulations

Question 39

Which disinfection or sterilization method is most effective in eliminating spore-forming bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Autoclaving

Answer

Boiling

Answer

Using an ultraviolet light

Answer

Wiping with bleach

Question 40

What is the ultimate goal of infection control practices in healthcare?

Accepted Answer

To prevent the spread of infection

Answer

To identify and treat infections in patients

Answer

To educate healthcare professionals about infection control

Answer

To develop new vaccines for emerging infectious diseases

Question 41

What is the primary responsibility of nurses in infection control?

Accepted Answer

To implement recommended infection prevention measures

Answer

To perform surgery on infected patients

Answer

To diagnose and treat infectious diseases

Answer

To prescribe medications for infections

Question 42

What is the importance of reporting infections and suspected infections to the infection control department?

Accepted Answer

To identify trends and implement preventive measures

Answer

To increase patient length of stay

Answer

To assign blame to healthcare providers

Question 43

What is the primary objective of infection control measures implemented in healthcare settings?

Accepted Answer

To prevent the spread of infections and safeguard patient well-being

Answer

To eliminate all microorganisms from the environment

Answer

To minimize healthcare expenses

Question 44

Which practice is NOT considered a standard precaution for infection control?

Accepted Answer

Wearing gloves solely when handling bodily fluids

Answer

Isolating patients with confirmed or suspected infections

Answer

Wearing a mask during coughing or sneezing

Answer

Washing hands frequently with soap and water

Question 45

In healthcare settings, which of the following items commonly serves as a fomite for transmitting infections?

Accepted Answer

Stethoscope

Answer

Respiratory droplets

Answer

Patient's skin

Question 46

What is the primary purpose of wearing an isolation gown?

Accepted Answer

To prevent the contamination of healthcare workers' clothing

Answer

To keep patients warm

Answer

To prevent the spread of infections from the patient to others

Question 47

What is the primary role of surveillance in infection control?

Accepted Answer

Monitoring and tracking the occurrence of infections

Answer

Investigating and identifying outbreaks

Answer

Training healthcare workers on infection control practices

Answer

Developing and implementing infection control protocols

Question 48

Which factor is a known contributor to the development and spread of antibiotic resistance?

Accepted Answer

Overuse of antibiotics

Answer

Patient adherence to antibiotic regimens

Answer

Proper antibiotic storage

Answer

Infection control protocols

Question 49

Why is patient education crucial in infection control?

Accepted Answer

To empower patients in actively participating in their care and preventing infections

Answer

To reduce healthcare costs

Answer

To ensure patient compliance with infection control measures

Question 50

Which of the following is NOT considered a standard precaution in infection control?

Accepted Answer

Wearing a mask specifically for patients with known airborne infections.

Answer

Washing hands before and after patient contact.

Answer

Using gloves when handling body fluids.

Answer

Wearing a gown during procedures that may involve splashing of bodily fluids.

Question 51

What is the most effective single intervention to prevent the spread of infections in healthcare settings?

Accepted Answer

Hand hygiene.

Answer

Isolation of infected patients.

Answer

Use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Answer

Environmental cleaning.

Question 52

Which of the following is a common mode of transmission for respiratory infections like influenza?

Accepted Answer

Airborne droplets.

Answer

Fomite transmission (contact with contaminated objects).

Answer

Vector-borne transmission (through insects).

Answer

Direct contact with an infected person.

Question 53

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), what is the recommended duration for handwashing with soap and water?

Accepted Answer

20 seconds.

Answer

40 seconds.

Answer

10 seconds.

Answer

30 seconds.

Question 54

Which of the following factors can increase the risk of infection in healthcare settings?

Accepted Answer

Overcrowding.

Answer

Adequate staffing.

Answer

Routine disinfection of equipment.

Answer

Proper ventilation.

Question 55

What is the primary aim of antimicrobial stewardship in infection control?

Accepted Answer

Promoting the appropriate use of antibiotics to prevent resistance.

Answer

Providing education on infection prevention.

Answer

Developing new antibiotics.

Answer

Monitoring antibiotic resistance patterns.

Question 56

Which of the following is an example of personal protective equipment (PPE)?

Accepted Answer

Gown.

Answer

Patient chart.

Answer

Medication dispenser.

Answer

Stethoscope.

Question 57

What is the main purpose of isolation precautions in healthcare?

Accepted Answer

To prevent the spread of infection from infected patients to others.

Answer

To provide comfort to the patient.

Answer

To reduce the workload of nurses.

Question 58

Which of the following is a common sign of a surgical site infection?

Accepted Answer

Purulent drainage (pus).

Answer

Swelling.

Answer

Pain.

Answer

Bruising.

Question 59

What is the nurse's primary responsibility in infection control?

Accepted Answer

Promoting hand hygiene and strictly following infection control protocols.

Answer

Prescribing antibiotics.

Answer

Diagnosing infections.