INFECTION PREVENTION EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS
Purpose of Infection Control - Correct Answers -To protect EVERYONE in the hospital
from catching a new infection
Pt comes first bc they are already compromised by being sick
HAIs - Correct Answers -Healthcare-associated infections:
New infections not present or incubating at the time of admission (used to be called
nosocomial)
TOP TEN LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH IN U.S.
Germs - Correct Answers -Non-scientific term -- bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa. All
transmitted in similar ways
Chain of Transmission - Correct Answers -Only have to break ONE link.
Infectious agent (germs) -> Reservoir -> Portal of exit -> Mode of transmission -> Portal
of entry -> Host
Infectious Agent - Correct Answers -GERMS!
Actions we take to get rid of most:
1. Sterilizing surgical instruments
2. Cleaning reusable equipment such as commodes
3. Safe food practices
4. Telling sick people to stay home
Reservoir - Correct Answers -Where the germs live or grow.
RESERVOIRS ARE GENERALLY WET
Most important reservoirs in hospital = PEOPLE
1. Sick ppl w/ infections
2. Well ppl w/ normal flora
WE CAN'T GET RID OF THE MOST IMPORTANT RESERVOIR
Respiratory Hygiene (part of ATD standard) - Correct Answers -Wear a mask (surgical
or isolation mask) when caring for a pt w. symptoms of respiratory infection
Use eye protection w. a mask if you may be splashed
IF YOU NEED EYE PROTECTION, YOU NEED A MASK ALSO
, Could this pt have TB? - Correct Answers -Only ACTIVE TB is contagious.
ACTIVE TB has SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of TB (active) - Correct Answers -Cough that lasts for more than 3 weeks
Unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite
Night sweats
Bloody sputum
Portal of Exit - Correct Answers -The way germs get OUT of the reservoir (i.e, break in
skin, natural orifice, body fluid)
Cover draining wounds, hand hygiene after contact w/ any body fluid
Means of Transmission - Correct Answers -Very few germs can fly, almost all are
carried from one place to another.
Main Means of Transmission - Correct Answers -HANDS of the caregivers
THINGS that move from pt to pt
What is the only link in the chain of transmission that you can ELIMINATE? - Correct
Answers -Means of transmission
Portal of Entry - Correct Answers -Germ must find a HOLE to get inside your body.
Take good care of skin to prevent holes!
Susceptible Host - Correct Answers -Patients and staff are susceptible hosts - no one is
immune to all diseases
Can we eliminate susceptible hosts? - Correct Answers -Some - by vaccination or
natural disease that causes immunity
What is the WEAKEST link in the chain of transmission? - Correct Answers -The
MEANS of transmission. Most of the efforts of infection control are aimed at NOT
CARRYING GERMS from the reservoir to the susceptible host
Can the reservoir and the host be the same person? - Correct Answers -YES!
Ex: fecal flora in urinary tract, cleaning from a dirty site to a clean site
Single most important procedure for preventing the spread of infection - Correct
Answers -HAND HYGIENE
How to save lives - Correct Answers -READ THE BAND
WASH YOUR HANDS
What is hand hygiene? - Correct Answers -1. Washing w. soap & water
2. De-germing hands w. alcohol-based hand sanitizers
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS
Purpose of Infection Control - Correct Answers -To protect EVERYONE in the hospital
from catching a new infection
Pt comes first bc they are already compromised by being sick
HAIs - Correct Answers -Healthcare-associated infections:
New infections not present or incubating at the time of admission (used to be called
nosocomial)
TOP TEN LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH IN U.S.
Germs - Correct Answers -Non-scientific term -- bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa. All
transmitted in similar ways
Chain of Transmission - Correct Answers -Only have to break ONE link.
Infectious agent (germs) -> Reservoir -> Portal of exit -> Mode of transmission -> Portal
of entry -> Host
Infectious Agent - Correct Answers -GERMS!
Actions we take to get rid of most:
1. Sterilizing surgical instruments
2. Cleaning reusable equipment such as commodes
3. Safe food practices
4. Telling sick people to stay home
Reservoir - Correct Answers -Where the germs live or grow.
RESERVOIRS ARE GENERALLY WET
Most important reservoirs in hospital = PEOPLE
1. Sick ppl w/ infections
2. Well ppl w/ normal flora
WE CAN'T GET RID OF THE MOST IMPORTANT RESERVOIR
Respiratory Hygiene (part of ATD standard) - Correct Answers -Wear a mask (surgical
or isolation mask) when caring for a pt w. symptoms of respiratory infection
Use eye protection w. a mask if you may be splashed
IF YOU NEED EYE PROTECTION, YOU NEED A MASK ALSO
, Could this pt have TB? - Correct Answers -Only ACTIVE TB is contagious.
ACTIVE TB has SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of TB (active) - Correct Answers -Cough that lasts for more than 3 weeks
Unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite
Night sweats
Bloody sputum
Portal of Exit - Correct Answers -The way germs get OUT of the reservoir (i.e, break in
skin, natural orifice, body fluid)
Cover draining wounds, hand hygiene after contact w/ any body fluid
Means of Transmission - Correct Answers -Very few germs can fly, almost all are
carried from one place to another.
Main Means of Transmission - Correct Answers -HANDS of the caregivers
THINGS that move from pt to pt
What is the only link in the chain of transmission that you can ELIMINATE? - Correct
Answers -Means of transmission
Portal of Entry - Correct Answers -Germ must find a HOLE to get inside your body.
Take good care of skin to prevent holes!
Susceptible Host - Correct Answers -Patients and staff are susceptible hosts - no one is
immune to all diseases
Can we eliminate susceptible hosts? - Correct Answers -Some - by vaccination or
natural disease that causes immunity
What is the WEAKEST link in the chain of transmission? - Correct Answers -The
MEANS of transmission. Most of the efforts of infection control are aimed at NOT
CARRYING GERMS from the reservoir to the susceptible host
Can the reservoir and the host be the same person? - Correct Answers -YES!
Ex: fecal flora in urinary tract, cleaning from a dirty site to a clean site
Single most important procedure for preventing the spread of infection - Correct
Answers -HAND HYGIENE
How to save lives - Correct Answers -READ THE BAND
WASH YOUR HANDS
What is hand hygiene? - Correct Answers -1. Washing w. soap & water
2. De-germing hands w. alcohol-based hand sanitizers
