Page |1
NYS Mandated Infection Control and
Barrier Precautions Training for
Healthcare Professionals: Sepsis
Awareness, Prevention, and Patient Safety
Description
This comprehensive 150 question examination is designed to assess
the knowledge and clinical decision making skills required for New
York State licensed healthcare professionals to meet the mandated
infection control training requirements. The exam mirrors the rigor
expected of actual licensing and certification assessments covering
the seven core elements prescribed by the New York State
Department of Health and the State Education Department. Content
spans the chain of infection standard and transmission based
precautions engineering and work practice controls safe injection
practices sterilization and disinfection sepsis recognition and
professional responsibility. Scenario based questions challenge
candidates to apply regulatory standards and evidence based practice
to real world clinical situations ensuring readiness for both the
mandated attestation and competent safe patient care.
Section 1 Questions 1 to 50
1. A registered nurse is caring for a patient with an undiagnosed
febrile respiratory illness. Before the cause is confirmed which
infection control principle governs the nurse initial approach to
patient care?
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A. Initiate Airborne Precautions immediately for all febrile respiratory
presentations.
B. Apply Standard Precautions based on the anticipated risk of
exposure to infectious material.
C. Wait for laboratory confirmation before implementing any
precautions.
D. Place the patient in a negative pressure room and restrict all
visitors.
B. Apply Standard Precautions based on the anticipated risk of
exposure to infectious material.
Standard Precautions apply to all patient care regardless of suspected
or confirmed infection status and are based on the reasonably
anticipated risk of exposure to blood body fluids or other potentially
infectious materials. Precaution selection should be guided by clinical
presentation and transmission route not delayed pending laboratory
results.
2. A healthcare worker sustains a needlestick injury while disposing
of a sharp in a puncture resistant container. The source patient is
unknown. Which of the following represents the most appropriate
immediate action?
A. Squeeze the wound forcefully to express blood then apply bleach
directly to the puncture site.
B. Wash the site with soap and water and report the exposure to the
designated occupational health authority.
C. Delay reporting until the source patient bloodborne pathogen status
can be determined.
D. Apply an antibiotic ointment and cover the wound then continue
with assigned duties.
, Page |3
B. Wash the site with soap and water and report the exposure to the
designated occupational health authority.
Immediate wound care includes washing with soap and water. Prompt
reporting is essential to initiate evaluation documentation and any
indicated post exposure prophylaxis. Delaying reporting based on
unknown source status is inappropriate as time sensitive interventions
may be necessary.
3. A patient with Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea requires
hand hygiene. Which method is most appropriate for healthcare
personnel after providing care?
A. Alcohol based hand rub because it is effective against all bacterial
spores.
B. Soap and water because alcohol does not reliably kill C. difficile
spores.
C. Alcohol based hand rub followed by a soap and water wash for
maximum efficacy.
D. Either method is acceptable because gloves were worn during care.
B. Soap and water because alcohol does not reliably kill C. difficile
spores.
Alcohol based hand rubs are not effective against spore forming
organisms such as C. difficile. Hands should be washed with soap and
water when caring for patients with C. difficile to physically remove
spores. Gloves do not eliminate the need for hand hygiene.
4. A nurse is preparing to insert a peripheral intravenous catheter.
Which of the following is the correct sequence for skin antisepsis?
A. Clean the site with alcohol then fan the area dry before insertion.
, Page |4
B. Apply chlorhexidine gluconate and allow it to dry completely
before insertion.
C. Wipe the site with sterile water then apply povidone iodine
immediately before insertion.
D. Use an alcohol swab for five seconds then insert the catheter while
the skin is still wet.
B. Apply chlorhexidine gluconate and allow it to dry completely
before insertion.
Chlorhexidine gluconate is the preferred skin antiseptic for central
line and peripheral IV insertion. The antiseptic must be allowed to dry
completely to achieve maximum bactericidal effect. Fanning or
blotting reduces efficacy. Alcohol alone is not preferred for IV
catheter insertion when chlorhexidine is available.
5. A patient is admitted with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis.
Which type of mask should the healthcare worker wear when entering
the patient room?
A. Standard surgical mask.
B. N95 respirator or higher level respirator.
C. Cloth mask.
D. Procedure mask with face shield.
B. N95 respirator or higher level respirator.
Tuberculosis requires Airborne Precautions. Healthcare personnel
must wear an N95 respirator or higher level respirator that has been fit
tested. Surgical masks do not provide adequate protection against
airborne droplet nuclei. Cloth masks and procedure masks are not
appropriate for airborne precautions.
NYS Mandated Infection Control and
Barrier Precautions Training for
Healthcare Professionals: Sepsis
Awareness, Prevention, and Patient Safety
Description
This comprehensive 150 question examination is designed to assess
the knowledge and clinical decision making skills required for New
York State licensed healthcare professionals to meet the mandated
infection control training requirements. The exam mirrors the rigor
expected of actual licensing and certification assessments covering
the seven core elements prescribed by the New York State
Department of Health and the State Education Department. Content
spans the chain of infection standard and transmission based
precautions engineering and work practice controls safe injection
practices sterilization and disinfection sepsis recognition and
professional responsibility. Scenario based questions challenge
candidates to apply regulatory standards and evidence based practice
to real world clinical situations ensuring readiness for both the
mandated attestation and competent safe patient care.
Section 1 Questions 1 to 50
1. A registered nurse is caring for a patient with an undiagnosed
febrile respiratory illness. Before the cause is confirmed which
infection control principle governs the nurse initial approach to
patient care?
, Page |2
A. Initiate Airborne Precautions immediately for all febrile respiratory
presentations.
B. Apply Standard Precautions based on the anticipated risk of
exposure to infectious material.
C. Wait for laboratory confirmation before implementing any
precautions.
D. Place the patient in a negative pressure room and restrict all
visitors.
B. Apply Standard Precautions based on the anticipated risk of
exposure to infectious material.
Standard Precautions apply to all patient care regardless of suspected
or confirmed infection status and are based on the reasonably
anticipated risk of exposure to blood body fluids or other potentially
infectious materials. Precaution selection should be guided by clinical
presentation and transmission route not delayed pending laboratory
results.
2. A healthcare worker sustains a needlestick injury while disposing
of a sharp in a puncture resistant container. The source patient is
unknown. Which of the following represents the most appropriate
immediate action?
A. Squeeze the wound forcefully to express blood then apply bleach
directly to the puncture site.
B. Wash the site with soap and water and report the exposure to the
designated occupational health authority.
C. Delay reporting until the source patient bloodborne pathogen status
can be determined.
D. Apply an antibiotic ointment and cover the wound then continue
with assigned duties.
, Page |3
B. Wash the site with soap and water and report the exposure to the
designated occupational health authority.
Immediate wound care includes washing with soap and water. Prompt
reporting is essential to initiate evaluation documentation and any
indicated post exposure prophylaxis. Delaying reporting based on
unknown source status is inappropriate as time sensitive interventions
may be necessary.
3. A patient with Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea requires
hand hygiene. Which method is most appropriate for healthcare
personnel after providing care?
A. Alcohol based hand rub because it is effective against all bacterial
spores.
B. Soap and water because alcohol does not reliably kill C. difficile
spores.
C. Alcohol based hand rub followed by a soap and water wash for
maximum efficacy.
D. Either method is acceptable because gloves were worn during care.
B. Soap and water because alcohol does not reliably kill C. difficile
spores.
Alcohol based hand rubs are not effective against spore forming
organisms such as C. difficile. Hands should be washed with soap and
water when caring for patients with C. difficile to physically remove
spores. Gloves do not eliminate the need for hand hygiene.
4. A nurse is preparing to insert a peripheral intravenous catheter.
Which of the following is the correct sequence for skin antisepsis?
A. Clean the site with alcohol then fan the area dry before insertion.
, Page |4
B. Apply chlorhexidine gluconate and allow it to dry completely
before insertion.
C. Wipe the site with sterile water then apply povidone iodine
immediately before insertion.
D. Use an alcohol swab for five seconds then insert the catheter while
the skin is still wet.
B. Apply chlorhexidine gluconate and allow it to dry completely
before insertion.
Chlorhexidine gluconate is the preferred skin antiseptic for central
line and peripheral IV insertion. The antiseptic must be allowed to dry
completely to achieve maximum bactericidal effect. Fanning or
blotting reduces efficacy. Alcohol alone is not preferred for IV
catheter insertion when chlorhexidine is available.
5. A patient is admitted with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis.
Which type of mask should the healthcare worker wear when entering
the patient room?
A. Standard surgical mask.
B. N95 respirator or higher level respirator.
C. Cloth mask.
D. Procedure mask with face shield.
B. N95 respirator or higher level respirator.
Tuberculosis requires Airborne Precautions. Healthcare personnel
must wear an N95 respirator or higher level respirator that has been fit
tested. Surgical masks do not provide adequate protection against
airborne droplet nuclei. Cloth masks and procedure masks are not
appropriate for airborne precautions.
