UPDATED 2024 Infection Prevention & Control Actual Exam Questions And Answers

How do healthcare workers protect themselves from coming into contact with infectious material, sharp injuries, and/ or exposure to a communicable disease? - ANSWER- by applying knowledge of the infectious process and using appropriate personal protective equipment. Diseases such as HEP B and C, HIV/AIDS, TB, and multidrug resistant organisms require a greater emphasis on infection prevention and control techniques. What is a HAI (Health Care Associated Infection)? - ANSWER- Infection acquired following admission to a HC facility NOT present prior to admission -Nosocomial How do HAIs significantly increase costs of health care? - ANSWER- 1. Extending hospital stays 2. Increased disability 3. Increased costs of antibiotics 4. Prolonged recovery times. HAIs costs are often not reimbursed by Medicare/Medicaid. WHO is susceptible to HAIs? - ANSWER- ALL patients ALL health care workers NURSES have a higher occupational exposure than other HC professionals due to frequent patient contact! What is an infection? - ANSWER- the invasion of a susceptible host by pathogens or microorganisms resulting in disease. * Only results if the pathogen multiplies and alters normal tissue function. It is different from a colonization in which a colonization is the presence and growth of microorganisms within a host but without tissue invasion or damage. some infectious disease such as meningitis, and pneumonia have a low or no risk for transmission. Although it may be serious for the patient they do not pose a risk to others including caregivers. Communicable disease - ANSWER- an infectious disease that can be transmitted from one person to another Difference between symptomatic and asymptomatic infections - ANSWER- Symptomatic infection: if the pathogens multiply and cause clinical signs and symptoms asymptomatic infection: if clinical signs and symptoms are not present. Ex. HEP C can be asymptomatic, it is most efficiently transmitted thru direct passage of blood into the skin from a percutaneous exposure even if the source patient is asymptomatic. The chain of infection - ANSWER- The presence of a pathogen does not mean that an infection will occur. Infection occurs in a cycle that depends on the presence of all of the following elements: •An infectious agent or pathogen •A reservoir or source for pathogen growth •A port of exit from the reservoir •A mode of transmission •A port of entry to a host •A susceptible host (Infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, host.) * an infection can develop if this chain remains uninterrupted. Preventing infections involves breaking the chain of infection. What is the infectious agent element of the chain of infection?