NYS Infection Control: Questions With Complete
Answers (Graded A+)
Pathogen Right Ans - disease-producing microorganism
transmission Right Ans - any mechanism by which a pathogen is spread by
a source or reservoir to a host
reservoir Right Ans - Any person, animal, plant, soil or substance in which
an infectious agent normally lives and multiplies
The infectious agent depends on the reservoir for survival, and the reservoir
must provide a place where it can reproduce itself in such a manner that it can
be transmitted to a susceptible host
susceptibility Right Ans - defined as the inability of a host to resist infection
with a particular pathogen
common vehicle Right Ans - Contaminated material, product, or substance
that serves as a mode of transmission by which an infectious agent is
transported to multiple susceptible hosts.
Colonization Right Ans - when an organism is present without host
interference or interaction, like skin flora
host Right Ans - An organism in which another organism can live and
potentially multiply
incubation period Right Ans - the time between the beginning of an
infection and recognition of symptoms
latency Right Ans - the time after primary infection during which the
microorganism lives within the host without producing clinical evidence
direct contact transmission Right Ans - person to person transmission
indirect contact transmission Right Ans - spreads to a host by a nonliving
object called a fomite;
, Fomites can survive on objects and surfaces for a long time and be a potential
source of infection for weeks and months, e.g., fomites containing norovirus
and Clostridium difficile
droplet contact transmission Right Ans - large particles from coughing,
sneezing, or talking
droplets move through air, but due to their size and limited time being
airborne, they quickly settle on environmental surfaces and are spread by
contact
ex. influenza
droplet nuclei Right Ans - residue of evaporated droplets that remain
suspended in the air
ex. Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Varicella
factors affecting host susceptibility Right Ans - ~ number of organisms to
which host is exposed and duration of exposure
~ age, genetic constitution, various health status of host
~ hematopoietic systems; efficacy of reticuloendothelial system
~ absent or abnormal immunoglobulins
~ number of T lymphocytes and their ability to function
~ pregnancy (infant at risk)
~ organism must have portal of entry
Staphylococcus aureus transmitted.... Right Ans - primarily via the hands of
healthcare professionals and by direct contact with contaminated equipment
and surfaces
MRSA/ORSA infection control Right Ans - PPE, handing of medical devices
and laundry
VISA/VRSA infection control Right Ans - single room, contact and standard
precautions required, staff education, minimize # of staff caring for patient,
flag chart to alert staff
VRE Right Ans - vancomycin resistant enterococcus
Answers (Graded A+)
Pathogen Right Ans - disease-producing microorganism
transmission Right Ans - any mechanism by which a pathogen is spread by
a source or reservoir to a host
reservoir Right Ans - Any person, animal, plant, soil or substance in which
an infectious agent normally lives and multiplies
The infectious agent depends on the reservoir for survival, and the reservoir
must provide a place where it can reproduce itself in such a manner that it can
be transmitted to a susceptible host
susceptibility Right Ans - defined as the inability of a host to resist infection
with a particular pathogen
common vehicle Right Ans - Contaminated material, product, or substance
that serves as a mode of transmission by which an infectious agent is
transported to multiple susceptible hosts.
Colonization Right Ans - when an organism is present without host
interference or interaction, like skin flora
host Right Ans - An organism in which another organism can live and
potentially multiply
incubation period Right Ans - the time between the beginning of an
infection and recognition of symptoms
latency Right Ans - the time after primary infection during which the
microorganism lives within the host without producing clinical evidence
direct contact transmission Right Ans - person to person transmission
indirect contact transmission Right Ans - spreads to a host by a nonliving
object called a fomite;
, Fomites can survive on objects and surfaces for a long time and be a potential
source of infection for weeks and months, e.g., fomites containing norovirus
and Clostridium difficile
droplet contact transmission Right Ans - large particles from coughing,
sneezing, or talking
droplets move through air, but due to their size and limited time being
airborne, they quickly settle on environmental surfaces and are spread by
contact
ex. influenza
droplet nuclei Right Ans - residue of evaporated droplets that remain
suspended in the air
ex. Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Varicella
factors affecting host susceptibility Right Ans - ~ number of organisms to
which host is exposed and duration of exposure
~ age, genetic constitution, various health status of host
~ hematopoietic systems; efficacy of reticuloendothelial system
~ absent or abnormal immunoglobulins
~ number of T lymphocytes and their ability to function
~ pregnancy (infant at risk)
~ organism must have portal of entry
Staphylococcus aureus transmitted.... Right Ans - primarily via the hands of
healthcare professionals and by direct contact with contaminated equipment
and surfaces
MRSA/ORSA infection control Right Ans - PPE, handing of medical devices
and laundry
VISA/VRSA infection control Right Ans - single room, contact and standard
precautions required, staff education, minimize # of staff caring for patient,
flag chart to alert staff
VRE Right Ans - vancomycin resistant enterococcus
