Infection Prevention and Control: Key Concepts
for Healthcare Workers UPDATED ACTUAL
Questions and CORRECT Answers
What is the primary goal of Infection To protect everyone in the hospital from catching
Prevention? new infections.
What is a healthcare-associated An infection not present or incubating at the time
infection (HAI)? of admission.
What is the most important Hand hygiene.
procedure to prevent the spread of
infection?
What are 'germs'? A non-scientific term that includes bacteria, viruses,
fungi, and protozoans.
What is the Chain of Infection? A series of links that must all be present for an
infection to spread.
What is the weakest link in the Chain The means of transmission.
of Infection?
What is the role of the 'infectious These are the germs that cause infection.
agent' in the Chain of Infection?
, What is a 'reservoir' in the context of Where germs live and grow, often in wet
infection? environments.
What is a 'portal of exit'? The way germs exit the reservoir, usually through
breaks in skin or body fluids.
What are the main means of The hands of caregivers and objects that move
transmission for germs? from patient to patient.
What is a 'portal of entry'? The way germs enter the body, often through
breaks in the skin or natural orifices.
Who is considered a susceptible Anyone who can become infected, including
host? patients and healthcare workers.
What actions can be taken to Sterilizing instruments, cleaning equipment, and
eliminate germs? encouraging sick individuals to stay home.
What is the preferred method of Washing hands with soap and water.
hand hygiene when hands are visibly
dirty?
What should be done if hands look Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
clean and just need to be de-
germed?
What is the recommended duration At least 20 seconds.
for washing hands with soap?
What should be done with alcohol- Use on dry skin and rub until hands are completely
based hand sanitizers? dry.
for Healthcare Workers UPDATED ACTUAL
Questions and CORRECT Answers
What is the primary goal of Infection To protect everyone in the hospital from catching
Prevention? new infections.
What is a healthcare-associated An infection not present or incubating at the time
infection (HAI)? of admission.
What is the most important Hand hygiene.
procedure to prevent the spread of
infection?
What are 'germs'? A non-scientific term that includes bacteria, viruses,
fungi, and protozoans.
What is the Chain of Infection? A series of links that must all be present for an
infection to spread.
What is the weakest link in the Chain The means of transmission.
of Infection?
What is the role of the 'infectious These are the germs that cause infection.
agent' in the Chain of Infection?
, What is a 'reservoir' in the context of Where germs live and grow, often in wet
infection? environments.
What is a 'portal of exit'? The way germs exit the reservoir, usually through
breaks in skin or body fluids.
What are the main means of The hands of caregivers and objects that move
transmission for germs? from patient to patient.
What is a 'portal of entry'? The way germs enter the body, often through
breaks in the skin or natural orifices.
Who is considered a susceptible Anyone who can become infected, including
host? patients and healthcare workers.
What actions can be taken to Sterilizing instruments, cleaning equipment, and
eliminate germs? encouraging sick individuals to stay home.
What is the preferred method of Washing hands with soap and water.
hand hygiene when hands are visibly
dirty?
What should be done if hands look Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
clean and just need to be de-
germed?
What is the recommended duration At least 20 seconds.
for washing hands with soap?
What should be done with alcohol- Use on dry skin and rub until hands are completely
based hand sanitizers? dry.
