Basic Infection Control Handwashing

Question 1

) is a fast-acting, antiseptic handrub that does not require
water to reduce resident flora, kills transient flora on the hands, and has the potential to
protect the skin (depending on the ingredients).

Answer 1

Alcohol-based handrub (ABHR)

Question 2

are chemicals applied
to the skin or other living tissue to inhibit or kill microorganisms (both transient and resident).
These agents, which include alcohol (ethyl or isopropyl), dilute iodine solutions, iodophors,
chlorhexidine, and triclosan, are used to reduce the total bacterial count.

Answer 2

Antiseptic agents or antimicrobial soap

Question 3

g is washing hands with soap and water or with products containing
an antiseptic agent.

Answer 3

Antiseptic handwashing

Question 4

is an organic agent (e.g., glycerol, propylene glycol, or sorbitol) that is added to
ABHR to soften the skin and help prevent skin damage (e.g., cracking, drying, irritation, and
dermatitis) that is often caused by frequent hand hygiene.

Answer 4

Emollient

Question 5

n is a term that WHO does not recommend using because disinfection
normally refers to the decontamination of non-living surfaces and objects

Answer 5

Hand disinfection

Question 6

is the process of removing soil, debris, and microbes by cleansing hands using
soap and water, ABHR, antiseptic agents, or antimicrobial soap.

Answer 6

• Hand hygiene

Question 7

is the process of mechanically removing soil, debris, and transient flora from
hands using soap and clean water

Answer 7

Handwashing

Question 8

is an infection that occurs in a patient as a result of
care at a health care facility and was not present at the time of arrival at the facility. The
term “health care-associated infection” replaces the formerly used “nosocomial” or “hospital”
infection because evidence has shown that these infections can affect patients in any setting
where they receive health care.

Answer 8

Health care-associated infection (HAI)

Question 9

is prolonged or extended protective activity that prevents the growth or
survival of microorganisms after application of an antiseptic; it is also called “residual”
activity.

Answer 9

• Persistent activity

Question 10

is the place where three elements come together: the patient, the health care
worker (HCW), and the care or treatment involving contact with the patient or the
surrounding environmen

Answer 10

Point of care

Question 11

are microorganisms that live in the deeper layers of the skin and within hair
follicles and cannot be completely removed, even by vigorous washing and rinsing with plain
soap and clean water. In most cases, resident floras are not likely to be associated with
infections; however, the hands or fingernails of some HCWs can become colonized by
microorganisms that do cause infection

Answer 11

Resident flora

Question 12

is a cleaning product (e.g., bar, liquid,
leaflet, or powder) that lowers surface tension of water, thereby helping to remove dirt and
debris. Plain soaps do not claim to be antimicrobial on their labels and require friction (i.e.,
scrubbing) to mechanically remove microorganisms. Antiseptic (antimicrobial) soaps kill or
inhibit growth of most microorganisms.

Answer 12

Soap

Question 13

s are a set of infection control practices used for every patient encounter
to reduce the risk of transmission of bloodborne and other pathogens from both recognized
NCM 103: FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING USI Vincentian Learning Module
HANDWASHING 3
and unrecognized sources. They are the basic level of infection control practices to be used,
at a minimum, in preventing the spread of infectious agents to all individuals in the health
care facility

Answer 13

Standard Precautions

Question 14

refers to the protocol used preoperatively by surgical teams to
eliminate transient flora and reduce resident skin flora. The process involves an antiseptic
handwash or antiseptic handrub and rubbing/scrubbing for specific amounts of times using
specific techniques prior to donning gloves. Antiseptics used for surgical hand preparation
often have persistent antimicrobial activity.

Answer 14

Surgical hand preparation

Question 15

refers to surgical hand preparation with a waterless ABHR.

Answer 15

• Surgical handrub

Question 16

refers to surgical hand preparation with antimicrobial soap and water

Answer 16

Surgical hand scrub

Question 17

are microorganisms acquired through contact with individuals or
contaminated surfaces during the course of normal, daily activities. They live in the upper
layers of the skin and are more amenable to removal by hand hygiene.

Answer 17

• Transient flora

Question 18

The has __________ five recommended points in time when hand hygiene should
occur in order to prevent transmission of HAIs.

Answer 18

World Health Organization

Question 19

These recommendations are called the “” and focus on the following times

Answer 19

My 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene

Question 20

My 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene

Answer 20

1. Before making contact with a patient
2. Before performing a clean/aseptic task,
   including touching invasive devices
3. After performing a task involving the risk of
   exposure to a body fluid, including touching
   invasive devices
4. After patient contact
5. After touching equipment in the patient’s
   surrounding areas

Question 21

Time is also an important factor—handwashing for __ seconds has been shown to
remove 10 times the number of bacteria as handwashing for 15 seconds.

Answer 21

30