Common Healthcare-Associated Infections: Symptoms, Prevention, and Control

Question 1

Which of the following is a healthcare-associated infection (HCAI)?

Accepted Answer

Pneumonia acquired in a hospital setting

Answer

Influenza contracted from a community member

Answer

Meningitis developed after a head injury

Answer

Typhoid fever acquired through contaminated food

Question 2

What is the most common symptom of a urinary tract infection (UTI)?

Accepted Answer

Pain or burning during urination (dysuria)

Answer

Fever and chills

Answer

Persistent cough

Answer

Diarrhea and vomiting

Question 3

What is the primary line of defense in preventing HCAIs?

Accepted Answer

Hand hygiene

Answer

Isolation precautions

Answer

Antibiotic prophylaxis

Answer

Environmental cleaning

Question 4

What is the purpose of contact precautions in HCAI control?

Accepted Answer

To prevent transmission of infections through direct or indirect contact with the patient or their environment

Answer

To prevent airborne transmission of infections

Answer

To prevent transmission of infections through contaminated surfaces

Answer

To prevent transmission of infections through food or water

Question 5

Which of the following describes the typical signs, symptoms, and risk factors associated with Clostridioides difficile infection (C. diff)?

Accepted Answer

Watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and high white blood cell count; risk factors include recent antibiotic use, hospital stays, and older age

Answer

Pneumonia, blood infection, and brain infection; risk factors include weakened immune system and intravenous drug use

Answer

Skin rash, itching, and blisters; risk factors include poor hygiene and contact with infected people

Question 6

Which of the following is a common healthcare-associated infection (HCAI)?

Accepted Answer

Urinary tract infection acquired in a healthcare setting

Answer

Seasonal influenza

Answer

Common cold

Answer

Pneumonia contracted outside of a healthcare facility

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

Redness, warmth, swelling, and pain at the wound site

Answer

Diarrhea

Answer

Fever

Answer

Persistent cough

Question 8

What is the most critical method to prevent the spread of HCAIs?

Accepted Answer

Regular and thorough hand hygiene practices

Answer

Overuse of antibiotics

Answer

Isolating only those patients with visible symptoms

Answer

Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times

Question 9

What is the role of antibiotics in managing HCAIs?

Accepted Answer

Treating bacterial infections

Answer

Preventing infections from spreading

Answer

Boosting the immune system

Answer

Reducing inflammation

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a common healthcare-associated infection (HAI)?

Accepted Answer

Influenza

Answer

Urinary tract infection (UTI)

Answer

Pneumonia

Answer

Surgical site infection (SSI)

Question 11

Which of the following is a prominent symptom of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI)?

Accepted Answer

Diarrhea

Answer

Fever

Answer

Chills

Answer

Headache

Question 12

What is the primary purpose of contact precautions?

Accepted Answer

To prevent the spread of contact infections

Answer

To prevent the spread of airborne infections

Answer

To prevent the spread of droplet infections

Answer

To prevent the spread of enteric infections

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of healthcare workers in preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)?

Accepted Answer

Engaging in personal conversations with colleagues during work hours

Answer

Adhering to hand hygiene protocols

Answer

Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE)

Answer

Educating patients about infection prevention

Question 14

Which of the following is a characteristic of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs)?

Accepted Answer

Resistance to two or more classes of antibiotics

Answer

Resistance to all classes of antibiotics

Answer

Resistance to only one class of antibiotics

Answer

Resistance to only certain types of antibiotics

Question 15

Which type of HCAI is the most frequently reported?

Accepted Answer

Surgical site infection (SSI)

Answer

Pneumonia

Answer

Bacteremia and sepsis

Answer

Meningitis

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a risk factor for developing an HCAI?

Accepted Answer

Regular handwashing

Answer

A compromised immune system

Answer

Prolonged hospital stay

Answer

Antibiotic use

Question 17

What is the primary mode of transmission for the majority of HCAIs?

Accepted Answer

Direct or indirect contact

Answer

Waterborne (e.g., contaminated water sources)

Answer

Airborne (e.g., droplet nuclei)

Answer

Vector-borne (e.g., mosquitoes, ticks)

Question 18

What is the primary objective of surveillance in HCAI prevention?

Accepted Answer

To monitor and detect HCAI cases

Answer

To develop new antibiotics

Answer

To impose penalties on healthcare facilities

Answer

To provide training for healthcare professionals

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a potential negative consequence of HCAI?

Accepted Answer

Improved patient outcomes

Answer

Patient discomfort and suffering

Answer

Prolonged hospital stays

Answer

Increased healthcare costs

Question 20

Which of these is **not** a common healthcare-associated infection (HAI)?

Accepted Answer

Tuberculosis

Answer

Urinary tract infection (UTI)

Answer

Sepsis

Answer

Pneumonia

Question 21

Which of the following is a common symptom of a UTI?

Accepted Answer

Frequent and painful urination

Answer

Shortness of breath

Answer

Nausea and vomiting

Answer

Fever and chills

Question 22

What is the most important method of preventing HAIs?

Accepted Answer

Hand hygiene

Answer

Vaccination

Answer

Isolation of infected patients

Answer

Use of antibiotics

Question 23

Which of the following is a risk factor for acquiring a HAI?

Accepted Answer

Prolonged hospital stay

Answer

Young age

Answer

Healthy immune system

Question 24

What is the primary role of healthcare professionals in HAI prevention?

Accepted Answer

Implementing and adhering to infection control protocols

Answer

Ordering laboratory tests

Answer

Providing emotional support to patients

Question 25

Which of the following is a consequence of HAIs?

Accepted Answer

Increased healthcare costs

Answer

Faster recovery times

Answer

Improved patient satisfaction

Answer

Reduced hospital readmission rates

Question 26

What is the main purpose of surveillance in HAI prevention?

Accepted Answer

Early detection and outbreak identification

Answer

Providing treatment guidelines

Answer

Educating patients about infection control

Answer

Developing new vaccines

Question 27

Which of the following is an example of a common healthcare-associated pathogen?

Accepted Answer

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Answer

Haemophilus influenzae

Answer

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Answer

Neisseria meningitidis

Question 28

What is the most reliable method for diagnosing a HAI?

Accepted Answer

Laboratory culture

Answer

Medical history review

Answer

Physical examination

Answer

Patient interview