Infection Control and Prevention: Essential Knowledge for Adult Nursing

Question 1

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), which of the following is NOT considered a standard precaution?

Accepted Answer

Vaccination

Answer

Hand hygiene

Answer

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Answer

Sharps safety

Question 2

Which transmission mechanism involves the inhalation of airborne droplets generated by an infected person?

Accepted Answer

Airborne transmission

Answer

Droplet transmission

Answer

Vehicle-borne transmission

Answer

Contact transmission

Question 3

Which of the following are considered components of personal protective equipment (PPE)?

Accepted Answer

Gloves, gowns, and face shields

Answer

Antiviral and antifungal medications

Answer

Stethoscopes and blood pressure cuffs

Answer

Sterile dressings and antiseptic solutions

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of nurses in infection control?

Accepted Answer

Prescribing antibiotics

Answer

Collaborating with the infection control team

Answer

Educating patients about infection prevention measures

Answer

Monitoring patients for signs and symptoms of infection

Question 5

Which of the following is a recognized route of transmission for microorganisms?

Accepted Answer

Airborne

Answer

Telepathy

Answer

Morphic resonance

Answer

Teleportation

Question 6

According to the World Health Organization, what is the preferred hand hygiene method for general situations?

Accepted Answer

Alcohol-based hand rub

Answer

Soap and water

Answer

Povidone-iodine solution

Answer

Chlorine bleach solution

Question 7

Which of the following practices is considered a Standard Infection Control Precaution?

Accepted Answer

Hand hygiene

Answer

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Answer

Contact precautions

Answer

Isolation

Question 8

Which of the following is an example of a fomite?

Accepted Answer

Doorknob

Answer

Airborne droplets

Answer

Blood-borne pathogens

Answer

Respiratory secretions

Question 9

What is the primary purpose of environmental cleaning in infection control?

Accepted Answer

Reducing the number of microorganisms on surfaces

Answer

Removing visible dirt

Answer

Improving aesthetics

Answer

Creating a sterile environment

Question 10

Which of the following is a key responsibility of healthcare professionals in infection control and prevention?

Accepted Answer

Identifying and reporting suspected infections

Answer

Conducting research

Answer

Dispensing medication

Answer

Performing surgery

Question 11

What is the most effective strategy to prevent the spread of airborne infections?

Accepted Answer

Ventilation and respiratory hygiene practices

Answer

Antibiotic therapy

Answer

Handwashing

Answer

Isolation

Question 12

What is the primary mode of transmission for HIV?

Accepted Answer

Blood-borne

Answer

Fomite

Answer

Airborne

Answer

Contact

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

To eliminate transient microorganisms from the hands

Answer

To prevent skin irritation

Answer

To reduce anxiety

Answer

To feel cleaner

Question 14

When are contact precautions used?

Accepted Answer

When an infection is spread through direct or indirect contact with the patient's skin or mucous membranes

Answer

When an infection is spread through airborne droplets

Answer

When the patient has a weakened immune system

Question 15

What is the initial step in performing hand hygiene with soap and water?

Accepted Answer

Wet hands thoroughly

Answer

Apply soap

Answer

Rub hands together

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

Recent surgery

Answer

Living an active lifestyle

Answer

Maintaining a healthy diet

Question 17

What is the main reason for wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) in infection control?

Accepted Answer

To prevent the transmission of microorganisms between healthcare providers and patients

Answer

To make the healthcare provider feel more comfortable

Answer

To create a barrier between the healthcare provider and the environment

Question 18

What is the role of surveillance in infection prevention and control?

Accepted Answer

To monitor the occurrence of infections and identify potential outbreaks

Answer

To educate healthcare providers

Answer

To investigate complaints

Answer

To develop new infection control policies

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

Preventing the spread of microorganisms through various transmission pathways

Answer

Isolating infected individuals

Answer

Treating infections aggressively

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT a route of transmission for infectious agents?

Accepted Answer

Inhalation of pollen

Answer

Inhalation of respiratory droplets

Answer

Ingestion of contaminated food or water

Answer

Contact with contaminated surfaces

Question 21

Which isolation precaution is most appropriate for a patient with a suspected or confirmed airborne infection?

Accepted Answer

Negative pressure room with HEPA filter

Answer

Contact isolation

Answer

Droplet isolation

Question 22

Which type of personal protective equipment (PPE) is most effective in preventing exposure to bloodborne pathogens?

Accepted Answer

Gloves

Answer

Mask

Answer

Gown

Answer

Eye protection

Question 23

What is the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended minimum duration for handwashing with soap and water?

Accepted Answer

20 seconds

Answer

10 seconds

Answer

30 seconds

Answer

40 seconds

Question 24

Which of the following is a fundamental principle of infection control and prevention?

Accepted Answer

Breaking the chain of infection

Answer

Ignoring minor infections

Answer

Punishing individuals who spread infection

Answer

Using antibiotics to eliminate all bacteria

Question 25

What is the appropriate action for a nurse who suspects a patient has developed an infection?

Accepted Answer

Implement infection control measures and promptly notify the healthcare team

Answer

Ignore the symptoms until they become more severe

Answer

Prescribe antibiotics without consulting a physician

Question 26

What is the primary purpose of using ultraviolet (UV) radiation in healthcare settings?

Accepted Answer

To disinfect surfaces and equipment

Answer

To provide mood lighting

Answer

To attract insects

Answer

To purify the air

Question 27

Which of the following is NOT a risk factor for acquiring a healthcare-associated infection (HAI)?

Accepted Answer

Adequate nutrition

Answer

Prolonged hospitalization

Answer

Advanced age

Answer

Immunosuppression

Question 28

What is considered the most effective strategy for preventing infections in long-term care facilities like nursing homes?

Accepted Answer

Implementing a comprehensive infection control program

Answer

Isolating all residents with suspected infections

Answer

Using the latest antibiotic drugs

Question 29

Which of the following is the most effective measure in preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)?

Accepted Answer

Maintaining proper hand hygiene

Answer

Adhering to environmental cleaning and disinfection protocols

Answer

Consistently using personal protective equipment (PPE)

Answer

Implementing effective surveillance and reporting systems

Question 30

Standard precautions should be applied to:

Accepted Answer

All patients, regardless of their infection status, known or suspected

Answer

Only patients who are in isolation

Answer

Only patients who are immunocompromised or have open wounds

Answer

Only patients who are suspected or confirmed to have a communicable disease

Question 31

Which type of isolation precaution is appropriate for a patient with suspected or confirmed multidrug-resistant bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Contact isolation

Answer

Airborne isolation

Answer

Protective environment isolation

Answer

Droplet isolation

Question 32

What should be done immediately after gloves are removed during PPE use?

Accepted Answer

Perform hand hygiene

Answer

Wash hands with soap and water only if visibly soiled

Answer

Wait until after assisting the patient before washing hands

Answer

Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer

Question 33

Which of the following is a significant risk factor for healthcare workers developing a HAI?

Accepted Answer

Exposure to blood, body fluids, or other potentially infectious materials

Answer

Exposure to high levels of stress

Answer

Prolonged work hours or lack of sleep

Answer

Poor nutrition or an unhealthy lifestyle

Question 34

What is the primary purpose of using an antiseptic solution in hand hygiene?

Accepted Answer

To eliminate microorganisms on the hands

Answer

To remove visible dirt and debris

Answer

To moisturize and protect the skin

Answer

To reduce skin irritation or dryness

Question 35

Which of the following is a potential outcome of inadequate infection control practices?

Accepted Answer

Increased healthcare costs due to prolonged patient stays or additional treatments

Answer

Decreased risk of future outbreaks

Answer

Reduced mortality rates among patients

Answer

Enhanced reputation and patient satisfaction

Question 36

What is the primary role of the infection control committee in a healthcare facility?

Accepted Answer

To establish and oversee infection prevention and control policies and surveillance systems

Answer

To monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of infection control programs

Answer

To provide direct patient care and implement infection control interventions

Answer

To conduct research and develop new methods for infection control

Question 37

Which of the following is the most effective way to prevent the transmission of respiratory droplets?

Accepted Answer

Wearing a face mask that covers the nose and mouth

Answer

Frequent handwashing and avoiding touching the face

Answer

Maintaining physical distance of at least 6 feet

Answer

Using gloves and gowns

Question 38

Which of the following pathogens is primarily spread through the airborne route?

Accepted Answer

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Answer

Streptococcus pneumoniae (transmitted through respiratory droplets)

Answer

Hepatitis A virus (transmitted through fecal-oral route)

Question 39

What is the primary responsibility of the infection control nurse in a healthcare setting?

Accepted Answer

Develop, implement, and evaluate infection control policies and procedures.

Answer

Provide direct patient care (this is the role of a registered nurse)

Answer

Conduct research on infection prevention (this may be part of their role, but not primary)

Question 40

Which of the following is NOT considered a component of standard precautions in healthcare?

Accepted Answer

Wearing gloves only when handling visibly contaminated materials (standard precautions recommend wearing gloves for all contact with bodily fluids)

Answer

Using personal protective equipment (PPE) when indicated

Answer

Hand hygiene before and after patient contact

Question 41

What is the recommended minimum duration for hand hygiene using an alcohol-based hand rub?

Accepted Answer

20-30 seconds

Answer

10-15 seconds (too short, not effective)

Answer

40-60 seconds (too long, not practical in many situations)

Answer

As long as possible (unrealistic and not always necessary)

Question 42

Which of the following transmission-based precautions is recommended for patients with Clostridioides difficile infection?

Accepted Answer

Contact precautions

Answer

Airborne precautions (used for airborne pathogens, not C. difficile)

Answer

Universal precautions (this is a broader set of precautions, not specific to C. difficile)

Answer

Droplet precautions (used for larger droplets, not C. difficile)

Question 43

What is the primary mechanism by which ultraviolet (UV) light effectively disinfects surfaces?

Accepted Answer

UV light damages the DNA and RNA of microorganisms, preventing their replication.

Answer

UV light removes dirt and debris from surfaces (this is a cleaning action, not disinfection)

Answer

UV light neutralizes chemical contaminants (UV light is not effective for chemical contaminants)

Question 44

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

Accepted Answer

Immunosuppression (weakened immune system makes individuals more susceptible to infections)

Answer

Regular exercise (improves overall health, reducing risk of infection)

Answer

Good nutrition (contributes to a healthy immune system, reducing risk of infection)

Answer

Young age (generally, young people have stronger immune systems)

Question 45

What is the primary aim of active surveillance in infection prevention and control?

Accepted Answer

Proactively identify potential infections early by regularly monitoring patients and the environment for signs and symptoms.

Answer

Educating staff on infection control (this is important but not the primary aim of surveillance)

Answer

Investigating outbreaks of infectious diseases (this is a response to a known outbreak, not proactive surveillance)

Question 46

Which of the following is a core principle of antimicrobial stewardship?

Accepted Answer

Restricting the use of antibiotics to situations where they are truly necessary and appropriate.

Answer

Prescribing broad-spectrum antibiotics for all infections (contributes to antibiotic resistance)

Answer

Using antibiotics for viral infections (antibiotics are ineffective against viruses)

Question 47

What is the overarching goal of infection prevention and control programs in healthcare settings?

Accepted Answer

To minimize the risk of infections for patients, staff, and visitors by preventing the spread of pathogens.

Answer

To diagnose and treat infections (this is the role of healthcare professionals, not the primary goal of infection control)

Answer

To increase healthcare costs (infection control programs aim to reduce costs associated with infections)

Answer

To improve patient satisfaction (a positive outcome, but not the main goal of infection control)

Question 48

A nurse is caring for a patient with Clostridium difficile infection. Which of the following is the MOST effective method for preventing the spread of infection?

Accepted Answer

Washing hands with soap and water

Answer

Avoiding contact with the patient's belongings

Answer

Wearing a surgical mask

Answer

Using alcohol-based hand sanitizer

Question 49

Which of the following patients would be considered MOST at risk of developing a healthcare-associated infection (HCAI)?

Accepted Answer

A 72-year-old diabetic patient with a urinary catheter

Answer

A 40-year-old woman recovering from laparoscopic surgery

Answer

A 25-year-old athlete admitted for a fractured leg

Question 50

When donning personal protective equipment (PPE), what is the CORRECT order?

Accepted Answer

Hand hygiene, gown, mask, goggles, gloves

Answer

Mask, goggles, gown, gloves, hand hygiene

Answer

Gloves, gown, mask, goggles, hand hygiene

Answer

Gown, gloves, mask, goggles, hand hygiene

Question 51

A nurse is disposing of a used needle after administering an injection. Which of the following actions is MOST appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Disposing of the needle, uncapped, in a sharps container

Answer

Disposing of the needle in a regular waste bin

Answer

Recapping the needle before disposal

Question 52

Which of the following is an example of droplet transmission?

Accepted Answer

Coughing or sneezing by an infected person

Answer

A mosquito bite

Answer

Touching a contaminated surface

Answer

Drinking contaminated water

Question 53

What type of isolation precautions would be appropriate for a patient with pulmonary tuberculosis?

Accepted Answer

Airborne precautions

Answer

Droplet precautions

Answer

Contact precautions

Question 54

Which of the following is the single MOST important measure to reduce the risk of transmitting infections?

Accepted Answer

Effective hand hygiene

Answer

Wearing gloves at all times

Answer

Isolating all patients with infections

Answer

Using a face mask for all patient interactions

Question 55

What is the recommended concentration of alcohol in alcohol-based hand rubs for effective hand hygiene?

Accepted Answer

60-95%

Answer

10-20%

Answer

99-100%

Answer

40-50%

Question 56

A patient is placed on contact precautions due to a suspected MRSA infection. What PPE should the nurse wear when entering the patient's room?

Accepted Answer

Gloves and gown

Answer

Gloves only

Answer

Mask, gown, and gloves

Answer

Mask and gown

Question 57

What is the PRIMARY purpose of using aseptic technique during wound dressing changes?

Accepted Answer

To prevent the introduction of microorganisms into the wound

Answer

To promote wound healing

Answer

To reduce pain during the procedure