Chain of Infection

Question 1

A nurse has an open abrasion on the skin. This is a concern during patient care because the open abrasion could represent which of the following elements in the chain of infection? (Two possible answers)

A. Etiological agent
B. Reservoir
C. Portal of exit
D. Method of transmission
E. Portal of entry
F. Susceptible host

Answer 1

C. Portal of exit - Correct
E. Portal of entry - Correct

Question 2

The nurse disposes of a butterfly needle and tubing used to draw blood. The butterfly needle, if not properly disposed of, could represent which element in the chain of infection?

A. Etiological agent
B. Reservoir
C. Portal of exit
D. Method of transmission
E. Portal of entry
F. Susceptible host

Answer 2

D. Method of transmission - Correct

Question 3

The patient coughs without covering their mouth. The mouth serves as which element in the chain of infection?

A. Etiological agent
B. Reservoir
C. Portal of exit
D. Method of transmission
E. Portal of entry
F. Susceptible host

Answer 3

E. Portal of entry - Correct

Question 4

An IV is inserted without cleaning the skin properly before insertion. The insertion site serves as which element in the chain of infection?

A. Etiological agent
B. Reservoir
C. Portal of exit
D. Method of transmission
E. Portal of entry
F. Susceptible host

Answer 4

E. Portal of entry - Correct

Question 5

The nurse is not clean their stethoscope between patients. The stethoscope represents which element in the chain of infection?

A. Etiological agent
B. Reservoir
C. Portal of exit
D. Method of transmission
E. Portal of entry
F. Susceptible host

Answer 5

D. Method of transmission - Correct

Question 6

Fresh flowers or plants brought in to the patient room. These flowers/plants represent which element in the chain of infection? (Two possible answers)

A. Etiological agent
B. Reservoir
C. Portal of exit
D. Method of transmission
E. Portal of entry
F. Susceptible host

Answer 6

B. Reservoir - Correct
D. Method of transmission - Correct

Question 7

The nurse fails to wear appropriate tier 2 PPE for a patient isolated for pertussis. The nurse’s scrubs are exposed to the pertussis patient. The scrubs serve as which element in the chain of infection?

A. Etiological agent
B. Reservoir
C. Portal of exit
D. Method of transmission
E. Portal of entry
F. Susceptible host

Answer 7

D. Method of transmission - Correct

Question 8

Migrant workers eat unwashed fruit directly from the field. The fruit serves as which element in the chain of infection?

A. Etiological agent
B. Reservoir
C. Portal of exit
D. Method of transmission
E. Portal of entry
F. Susceptible host

Answer 8

B. Reservoir - Correct

Question 9

A patient is diagnosed with COVID-19 and subsequently admitted to the hospital. COVID-19 represents which element in the chain of infection?

A. Etiological agent
B. Reservoir
C. Portal of exit
D. Method of transmission
E. Portal of entry
F. Susceptible host

Answer 9

A. Etiological agent - Correct

Question 10

A patient has a head laceration that is open to air (it is not covered with a dressing). The laceration (open to air) represents which element in the chain of infection? (Hint: the wound is somewhat fresh and does not show signs of infection)

A. Etiological agent
B. Reservoir
C. Portal of exit
D. Method of transmission
E. Portal of entry
F. Susceptible host

Answer 10

E. Portal of entry - Correct