TEST BANK FOR CURRENT MEDICAL
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT 2022-2023 62ND
EDITION BY MAXINE PAPADAKIS Questions with
Answers and Expert Rationales
Q1. A patient asks the nurse why there is no vaccine available for the common
cold. Which response by the nurse is correct?
1. The virus mutates too rapidly to develop a vaccine.
2. Vaccines are developed only for very serious illnesses.
3. Researchers are focusing efforts on an HIV vaccine.
4. The virus for the common cold has not been identified.
• ANSWER- The virus mutates too rapidly to develop a vaccine.
• Expert Rationale: The common cold is caused by over 200 different
viruses, primarily rhinoviruses, which mutate rapidly. This antigenic
variability makes vaccine development impractical. Vaccines are not limited
to serious illnesses; for example, influenza vaccine exists. HIV vaccine
research does not preclude cold vaccine research. The viruses have been
identified.
Q2. A patient who has a temperature of 101°F (38.3°C) most likely requires:
1. acetaminophen (Tylenol).
2. increased fluids.
3. bedrest.
4. tepid bath.
• ANSWER- increased fluids.
• Expert Rationale: Mild to moderate fever (101°F) is often beneficial for
immune function. The priority is maintaining hydration because fever
increases insensible fluid losses. Antipyretics are not routinely indicated for
, low-grade fever unless the patient is uncomfortable. Bedrest and tepid baths
may be used but are not the most likely requirement.
Q3. Why is a lotion without petroleum preferred over a petroleum-based product
as a skin protectant?
1. Prevents microorganisms from adhering to the skin.
2. Facilitates the absorption of latex proteins through the skin.
3. Decreases the risk of latex allergies.
4. Prevents the skin from drying and chaffing.
• ANSWER- Decreases the risk of latex allergies.
• Expert Rationale: Petroleum-based products can degrade latex gloves and
increase skin absorption of latex proteins, potentially sensitizing the user and
leading to latex allergy. Non-petroleum lotions are safer for healthcare
workers who wear gloves frequently.
Q4. For which range of time must a nurse wash her hands before working in the
operating room?
1. 1 to 2 minutes
2. 2 to 4 minutes
3. 2 to 6 minutes
4. 6 to 10 minutes
• ANSWER- 2 to 6 minutes
• Expert Rationale: Surgical hand antisepsis (scrub) requires a duration of 2-
6 minutes depending on the product and institutional policy. The goal is to
reduce transient and resident flora to near-sterile levels. A 1-2 minute scrub
is inadequate; 6-10 minutes is excessive and may damage skin.
Q5. How should the nurse dispose of the breakfast tray of a patient who requires
airborne isolation?
1. Place the tray in a specially marked trash can inside the patient’s room.
2. Place the tray in a special isolation bag held by a second healthcare worker
at the patient’s door.
, 3. Return the tray with a note to dietary services so it can be cleaned and
reused.
4. Carry the tray to an isolation trash receptacle located in the dirty utility room
and dispose of it there.
• ANSWER- Place the tray in a specially marked trash can inside the
patient’s room.
• Expert Rationale: For airborne isolation, all contaminated items should be
disposed of within the patient’s room to prevent spread of infectious
aerosols. A second healthcare worker at the door would increase exposure
risk. Reusing trays without proper disinfection is unsafe.
Q6. How much liquid soap should the nurse use for effective hand washing? At
least:
1. 2 mL
2. 3 mL
3. 6 mL
4. 7 mL
• ANSWER- 3 mL
• Expert Rationale: At least 3 mL of liquid soap is recommended for
effective hand washing to achieve adequate coverage and lather. Less than 3
mL may not cover all surfaces; more than 3 mL is wasteful but not harmful.
Q7. To assure effectiveness, when should the nurse stop rubbing antiseptic hand
solution over all surfaces of the hands?
1. When fingers feel sticky
2. After 5 to 10 seconds
3. When leaving the client’s room
4. Once fingers and hands feel dry
• ANSWER- Once fingers and hands feel dry
• Expert Rationale: Alcohol-based hand sanitizer should be rubbed over all
hand surfaces until completely dry, typically 20-30 seconds. Stopping when
, sticky or after 5-10 seconds leaves product wet and reduces efficacy. Drying
indicates full evaporation and microbial kill.
Q8. A patient is admitted to the hospital for chemotherapy and has a low white
blood cell count. Which precaution should the staff take with this patient?
1. Contact
2. Protective
3. Droplet
4. Airborne
• ANSWER- Protective
• Expert Rationale: Neutropenic patients require protective (reverse)
isolation to prevent infection from external sources. Standard precautions
alone are insufficient. Contact, droplet, and airborne precautions are used to
prevent spread from infected patients to others.
Q9. While donning sterile gloves, the nurse notices the edges of the glove package
are slightly yellow. The yellow area is over 1 inch away from the gloves and only
appears to be on the outside of the glove package. What is the best action for the
nurse to take at this point?
1. Continue using the gloves inside the package because the package is intact.
2. Remove gloves from sterile field and use a new pair of sterile gloves.
3. Throw all supplies away that were to be used and begin again.
4. Use the gloves and make sure the yellow edges of the package do not touch
the client.
• ANSWER- Continue using the gloves inside the package because the
package is intact.
• Expert Rationale: The yellow discoloration is external and does not
compromise sterility if the inner packaging is intact and the gloves
themselves are not affected. Discarding supplies is unnecessary. However, if
the integrity of the sterile barrier is questionable, a new pair is prudent, but
the best action here is to continue.
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT 2022-2023 62ND
EDITION BY MAXINE PAPADAKIS Questions with
Answers and Expert Rationales
Q1. A patient asks the nurse why there is no vaccine available for the common
cold. Which response by the nurse is correct?
1. The virus mutates too rapidly to develop a vaccine.
2. Vaccines are developed only for very serious illnesses.
3. Researchers are focusing efforts on an HIV vaccine.
4. The virus for the common cold has not been identified.
• ANSWER- The virus mutates too rapidly to develop a vaccine.
• Expert Rationale: The common cold is caused by over 200 different
viruses, primarily rhinoviruses, which mutate rapidly. This antigenic
variability makes vaccine development impractical. Vaccines are not limited
to serious illnesses; for example, influenza vaccine exists. HIV vaccine
research does not preclude cold vaccine research. The viruses have been
identified.
Q2. A patient who has a temperature of 101°F (38.3°C) most likely requires:
1. acetaminophen (Tylenol).
2. increased fluids.
3. bedrest.
4. tepid bath.
• ANSWER- increased fluids.
• Expert Rationale: Mild to moderate fever (101°F) is often beneficial for
immune function. The priority is maintaining hydration because fever
increases insensible fluid losses. Antipyretics are not routinely indicated for
, low-grade fever unless the patient is uncomfortable. Bedrest and tepid baths
may be used but are not the most likely requirement.
Q3. Why is a lotion without petroleum preferred over a petroleum-based product
as a skin protectant?
1. Prevents microorganisms from adhering to the skin.
2. Facilitates the absorption of latex proteins through the skin.
3. Decreases the risk of latex allergies.
4. Prevents the skin from drying and chaffing.
• ANSWER- Decreases the risk of latex allergies.
• Expert Rationale: Petroleum-based products can degrade latex gloves and
increase skin absorption of latex proteins, potentially sensitizing the user and
leading to latex allergy. Non-petroleum lotions are safer for healthcare
workers who wear gloves frequently.
Q4. For which range of time must a nurse wash her hands before working in the
operating room?
1. 1 to 2 minutes
2. 2 to 4 minutes
3. 2 to 6 minutes
4. 6 to 10 minutes
• ANSWER- 2 to 6 minutes
• Expert Rationale: Surgical hand antisepsis (scrub) requires a duration of 2-
6 minutes depending on the product and institutional policy. The goal is to
reduce transient and resident flora to near-sterile levels. A 1-2 minute scrub
is inadequate; 6-10 minutes is excessive and may damage skin.
Q5. How should the nurse dispose of the breakfast tray of a patient who requires
airborne isolation?
1. Place the tray in a specially marked trash can inside the patient’s room.
2. Place the tray in a special isolation bag held by a second healthcare worker
at the patient’s door.
, 3. Return the tray with a note to dietary services so it can be cleaned and
reused.
4. Carry the tray to an isolation trash receptacle located in the dirty utility room
and dispose of it there.
• ANSWER- Place the tray in a specially marked trash can inside the
patient’s room.
• Expert Rationale: For airborne isolation, all contaminated items should be
disposed of within the patient’s room to prevent spread of infectious
aerosols. A second healthcare worker at the door would increase exposure
risk. Reusing trays without proper disinfection is unsafe.
Q6. How much liquid soap should the nurse use for effective hand washing? At
least:
1. 2 mL
2. 3 mL
3. 6 mL
4. 7 mL
• ANSWER- 3 mL
• Expert Rationale: At least 3 mL of liquid soap is recommended for
effective hand washing to achieve adequate coverage and lather. Less than 3
mL may not cover all surfaces; more than 3 mL is wasteful but not harmful.
Q7. To assure effectiveness, when should the nurse stop rubbing antiseptic hand
solution over all surfaces of the hands?
1. When fingers feel sticky
2. After 5 to 10 seconds
3. When leaving the client’s room
4. Once fingers and hands feel dry
• ANSWER- Once fingers and hands feel dry
• Expert Rationale: Alcohol-based hand sanitizer should be rubbed over all
hand surfaces until completely dry, typically 20-30 seconds. Stopping when
, sticky or after 5-10 seconds leaves product wet and reduces efficacy. Drying
indicates full evaporation and microbial kill.
Q8. A patient is admitted to the hospital for chemotherapy and has a low white
blood cell count. Which precaution should the staff take with this patient?
1. Contact
2. Protective
3. Droplet
4. Airborne
• ANSWER- Protective
• Expert Rationale: Neutropenic patients require protective (reverse)
isolation to prevent infection from external sources. Standard precautions
alone are insufficient. Contact, droplet, and airborne precautions are used to
prevent spread from infected patients to others.
Q9. While donning sterile gloves, the nurse notices the edges of the glove package
are slightly yellow. The yellow area is over 1 inch away from the gloves and only
appears to be on the outside of the glove package. What is the best action for the
nurse to take at this point?
1. Continue using the gloves inside the package because the package is intact.
2. Remove gloves from sterile field and use a new pair of sterile gloves.
3. Throw all supplies away that were to be used and begin again.
4. Use the gloves and make sure the yellow edges of the package do not touch
the client.
• ANSWER- Continue using the gloves inside the package because the
package is intact.
• Expert Rationale: The yellow discoloration is external and does not
compromise sterility if the inner packaging is intact and the gloves
themselves are not affected. Discarding supplies is unnecessary. However, if
the integrity of the sterile barrier is questionable, a new pair is prudent, but
the best action here is to continue.
