Protective Mechanisms, Isolation Procedures, & Needle Stick Injuries

Question 1

What does handwashing do? (2)

Answer 1

1. Prevent and control the transmission of infection

2. Removes the transient flora picked up on hands during daily work activities

Question 2

Differentiate between soap, detergent, and antimicrobials. (3)

Answer 2

1. Soap → cleans the skin mechanically (friction)
2. Detergent → emulsifies dirt and oil
3. Antimicrobials → chemical agents that inhibit the growth and kill microorganisms

Question 3

Differentiate between normal and transient flora. (2)

Answer 3

1. Normal flora → “resident” bacteria that normally exist on the body
2. Transient flora → picked up bacteria during daily activity, which may be pathogenic

Question 4

What is the main purpose of infection control?

Answer 4

Infection control → prevents the spread of infection to other patients and limits contact with hospital and visitors

Question 5

What 2 things are placed outside of an infectious patient’s room?

Answer 5

1. A card that states what techniques are to be used is placed on the door
2. A cart with proper PPE is placed outside the room for personnel and visitors

Question 6

Name and differentiate between the 4 main types of isolation based on their purpose. (4)

Answer 6

1. Strict Isolation → prevents the spread of highly contagious infections that may be spread by air and contact (eg. chickenpox)
2. Enteric Isolation → prevents transmission by direct or indirect contact with feces (eg. salmonella)
3. Respiratory Isolation → prevents transmission by airborne and droplets
4. Reverse Isolation → used to protect patients from infection (weakened immune system)

Question 7

Describe the conditions of strict isolation. (4)

Answer 7

1. Private room
2. Door is kept closed
3. All who enter must have gown, gloves, and masks on at all time
4. Articles must be discarded and removed before leaving the patient room

Question 8

What is the condition for entering the room of a patient in enteric isolation? (1)

Answer 8

Gowns, masks, and gloves must be worn when in contact

Question 9

Describe the conditions of respiratory isolation. (2)

Answer 9

1. Private room

2. Masks and gloves are required

Question 10

What type of isolation does not always require visitors to wear gowns?

Answer 10

Respiratory isolation

Question 11

Describe the conditions of reverse isolation. (2)

Answer 11

1. Gloves, gowns, and masks must be work at all times

2. ONLY sterile equipment and articles can be brought into the patient room

Question 12

List the 3 wound and skin precautions. (3)

Answer 12

1. Gowns and gloves
2. Masks only required during dressing changes or when the wound is open to the air (aerosols from the wound are released when exposed)
3. Wash hands before and after

Question 13

What are the 3 steps in handling a needle stick injury? (3)

Answer 13

1. Milk the site for 30s to let the wound bleed freely (helps push out foreign agent if possible)
2. Run under cold water for 30s (helps with clotting)
3. Cover with a waterproof bandaid (does not ALWAYS need to be waterproof)

Question 14

What do you do after cleaning out and dressing the needle stick injury? (4)

Answer 14

1. Identify the source (patient) → name, accession number, etc
2. Report in writing to the supervisor within 24hrs
3. Both the source patient and employee are tested for HIV
4. If positive, both the patient and employee are monitored and tested at 6wks, 12wks, 6mo, and 1yr after exposure