Isolation

Question 1

Why may it be necessary to place a patient into isolation?

Answer 1

In order to control infections or communicable diseases

Question 2

A person can only contract an infectious disease outside the hospital. True or false?

Answer 2

False. A patient may contract an infectious disease while in the hospital, not just outside the hospital

Question 3

Where may Bed Control place a patient who requires isolation?

Answer 3

A private room, if available, or a bed where their contact with other patients and visitors is limited and monitored

Question 4

Who must follow the isolation precautions?

Answer 4

All staff and visitors

Question 5

How long must isolation precautions be followed?

Answer 5

Until the infectious process has subsided or is ruled out

Question 6

What are some responsibilities of the NUC in regards to isolation procedures?

Answer 6

• May be required to contact infection control to report an infectious outbreak
• communicate to visitors what is required of them under these conditions
• transcribe laboratory orders pertaining to infection control
• properly label an isolated patient’s chart and Kardex
• place appropriate signage outside that patient’s room to indicate what type of isolation and precautions are required
• notify other disciplines in the hospital (usually by indicating in the computer under the patient’s administrative data) who may come in contact with that patient

Question 7

What are the 2 purposes of placing a patient on isolation precautions?

Answer 7

1. Prevent the spread of disease-causing organisms

2. Protect patients with limited resistance to disease

Question 8

What are some examples of immune-compromised illnesses that could place a patient at risk, and therefore be placed onto isolation precaution?

Answer 8

• organ transplant recipients
• burn victims
• patients who are receiving immunosuppressant drugs or chemotherapy
• leukemia patients
• patients with severe neutropenia

Question 9

What are universal precautions?

Answer 9

Used by health care workers and visitors to protect them from the body fluids of infectious or potentially infectious patients.

Question 10

What PPE is used for universal precautions?

Answer 10

• gloves
• gown
• mask
• goggles or glasses

Question 11

What are some of the basic procedures for universal precautions?

Answer 11

• good handwashing technique
• proper disposal of a patient’s surgical dressings and/or linens
• use of PPE (gloves, gown, mask, goggles or glasses)

Question 12

What are contact precautions?

Answer 12

Used by health care workers and visitors to protect them from the body fluids of infectious or potentially infectious patients.

Question 13

What are some examples of diseases that could request contact precautions be implemented?

Answer 13

• Norovirus (gastrointestinal)
• C. difficile
• MRSA
• VRE
• Chicken Pox
• Diphtheria
• Scabies

Question 14

What are droplet precautions?

Answer 14

Initiated when a patient is known or suspected of having a condition transmitted by large particle droplets of sputum or mucus which do not remain suspended in the air.

Question 15

What are some examples of illnesses that could request droplet precautions be implemented?

Answer 15

• Influenza
• Diptheria
• Mumps
• Rubella
• Pertussis
• Meningococcus – meningitis, pneumonia, conjunctivitis

Question 16

What is droplet / contact precautions?

Answer 16

Initiated when a patient is known or suspected of having a condition transmitted by both droplet and contact.

Question 17

What is an example of droplet / contact precautions?

Answer 17

MRSA positive patient who has a cough and MRSA in the sputum

Question 18

What are airborne precautions?

Answer 18

Initiated when a patient is known or suspected of having a condition transmitted through the air.

Question 19

What are some examples that could require airborne precautions be implemented?

Answer 19

• Chicken Pox
• Herpes Zoster
• Measles
• Tuberculosis (TB)

Question 20

precautionary isolation

Answer 20

To prevent transmission of infection by a patient that is suspected of having an infectious disease and is being screened for it. The determination is made upon receipt of appropriate bloodwork.

Question 21

strict isolation

Answer 21

To prevent transmission of highly contagious or virulent infections that are spread by air, direct contact, or indirect contact.

Question 22

reverse isolation

Answer 22

To protect patients with a decreased immune system by reducing their exposure to potentially infectious organisms.

Question 23

respiratory isolation

Answer 23

To protect patients with a decreased immune system by reducing their exposure to potentially infectious organisms.