Infection Control

Question 1

PPE required for: Obtaining a blood sample

Answer 1

Gloves and apron

Question 2

PPE required for: Changing a soiled bed

Answer 2

Gloves and apron

Question 3

PPE required for: Insertion of a urinary catheter

Answer 3

Sterile gloves and apron

Question 4

PPE required for: Catheter care, e.g. emptying a catheter bag

Answer 4

Gloves and apron

Question 5

PPE required for: Removing an intravenous device

Answer 5

Gloves and apron

Question 6

PPE required for: Tracheal suctioning

Answer 6

Gloves, apron, face protection in some Trusts

Question 7

PPE required for: Caring for patient with suspected pulmonary TB

Answer 7

Gloves, apron, mouth protection in some trusts (special masks if suspected MDR-TB)

Question 8

PPE required for: Cleaning up a blood spill

Answer 8

Gloves and apron

Question 9

PPE required for: Aseptic technique

Answer 9

Sterile gloves and apron

Question 10

PPE required for: Surgical procedure in theatre

Answer 10

Sterile gloves, sterile gown, masks in some Trusts, headgear in some Trusts, face protection for some procedures

Question 11

PPE required for: Wound dressing

Answer 11

Sterile gloves and apron (regardless of infected or not)

Question 12

PPE required for: Central line management

Answer 12

Sterile gloves and apron

Question 13

PPE required for: Cleaning patient equipment

Answer 13

Gloves and apron

Question 14

PPE required for: Using disinfectants

Answer 14

Gloves and apron

Question 15

How many patients are estimated to die of Health-care associated infection every year?

Answer 15

5000

Question 16

What is not a part of the standard precautions that should be used for infection prevention in a hospital setting?

Answer 16

Regular change of uniform and prophylactic antibiotics.

Question 17

Which items of personal protective equipment (PPE) are required when caring for a patient infected with Clostridium difficile?

Answer 17

Apron and gloves

Question 18

What percentage of patients are likely to acquire an infection while in hospital?

Answer 18

10%

Question 19

What is the most appropriate method to decontaminate hands when caring for patients suffering Clostridium difficile infection?

Answer 19

Wash hands with soap and water following patient contact

Question 20

When making up disinfectants by adding water, after how long should the solution made be thrown away?

Answer 20

24 hours - Label with date and time so others know how long it has been open.

Question 21

Items in contact with healthy intact skin or

not in contact with the patient are considered what level of risk and what method of decontamination should be used?

Answer 21

Low risk, cleaning.

Question 22

Items in contact with mucous
membranes, contaminated with body
fluids or prior to use on an immuno-
compromised patient are considered what level of risk and what method of decontamination should be used?

Answer 22

Intermediate risk, disinfection.

Question 23

Items in contact with broken skin or
mucous membranes or introduced into
a sterile body cavity are considered what level of risk and what method of decontamination should be used?

Answer 23

High risk, sterilisation.

Question 24

What is meant by cleaning?

Answer 24

Removal of accumulated deposits by
washing with a cleaning solution.

Reduces number of organisms and
removes dirt, grease, organic matter

Question 25

What is meant by disinfection?

Answer 25

Partial removal or destruction of organisms
to reduce them to a safe level

Not all viruses and spores

Chemicals / heat

Must be cleaned prior to this.

Question 26

What is meant by sterilisation?

Answer 26

Complete removal or destruction of all
organisms including spores NOT prions

Use of autoclave

Question 27

Examples of disinfectants

Answer 27

Include chlorine releasing agents, alcohol (liquid & wipes), quaternary ammonium compounds (dettol)

Question 28

What is the symbol for single use items?

Answer 28

2 with a line through it.

Question 29

Why might patients be isolated?

Answer 29

Dying patients

Disturbed sleep

At increased risk of developing infection

Have a transmissible infection

Question 30

What is source isolation?

Answer 30

This is carried out when a patient has a
known or suspected infection and it
refers to isolating the source of
infection.

Isolation in a single room or cohorting
Standard precautions - put on PPE before going in, take off & wash hands before coming out
Adequate provision of protective clothing
Decontamination of equipment / cleaning - important!
Laundry management
Additional precautions in some infections e.g. masks in TB, no cohorting
Staff / visitor restrictions with some infections
Negative pressure rooms
Communication – with all staff, patients, visitors, ICN
Watch other patients – some may also need to be isolated
If diarrhoea or air borne, may need to rearrange other appointments
Patient information
Psychological effects

Question 31

Patients with which infections might be source isolated?

Answer 31

Norovirus, C.Diff, MRSA.

Question 32

What is protective isolation?

Answer 32

Isolation – positive pressure
Washing of hands and donning of protective clothing prior to entering room – but look at where PPE is being stored!
Staff restrictions
Standard precautions
Asepsis – endogenous risk