Safety and Infection Control Study Guide for the NCLEX-RN Exam.
How to Prepare for Safety and Infection
Control Questions on the NCLEX-RN® Exam
General Information
Safety and Infection Control, a key subpart of Safe and Effective Care
Environment, addresses the nurse’s ability to manage care with the best
practices of reducing hazards while providing both emergent and non-
emergent responses to numerous situations.
Prevention
Nurses are key players in the prevention of hazards to patient care
including infection, accidents, injuries, and medical errors. In addition,
nurses must know and practice principles that ensure the safety of
healthcare personnel such as proper ergonomics, safe use of all equipment
and technology, and proper handling of infectious and hazardous materials.
Promoting safe measures begins prior to a patient’s
admission. This includes inspecting the environment, planning
for potential scenarios,
and anticipating where errors may occur. Nurses should understand their
role in an emergency response or security emergency situation. When the
patient is admitted, the nurse must immediately identify any patient-specific
risk factors that may increase the chances of error. Developmental factors, as
well as a patient’s lifestyle and knowledge of safety precautions, will factor
into this assessment. Finally, nurses should investigate future safety
concerns that may impact patients after discharge, in their homes and in the
community. Taking measures at every step of the patient admission process
helps to prevent catastrophic safety events from occurring.
Age-Related Safety Factors
Nursing review of patient safety issues should begin with knowledge of the
age-specific or developmental risks associated with each of these age
groups:
Infants— Parental safety education and implementation are the core of infant
safety. Nurses must educate parents on safety measures to take in order to
protect their infants. This includes instructing parents on proper carseat
placement/strapping, child- proofing homes, and safe sleep. The American
Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants stay in a rear facing car seat
until age 2. State law may vary and nurses should know the laws for their
state. Nurses and parents alike should monitor infants closely to avoid
contact with choking hazards, falling hazards, and hot items or liquids.
Toddlers— Fully mobile and curious about the world around them, toddlers
,Safety and Infection Control Study Guide for the NCLEX-RN Exam.
are at increased risk for poisoning, choking, and drowning. Inform parents and
caregivers
, Safety and Infection Control Study Guide for the NCLEX-RN Exam.
about proper safety precautions including child-proofing cabinets and
drawers where hazardous medications or potential poisonous cleaners are
kept. Car seats should be rear-facing in the back seat of the vehicle until
age 2. Toddlers should also remain in a 5-point harness until the child
reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by the seat (generally ages
4–7 years). Be sure to follow specific car seat standards in your state.
School-age children— Independence grows as more time is spent at school
and with friends. This age group needs education and guidance on water,
fire, and traffic safety as well as the dangers of strangers. Car seats and/or
boosters are typically required by law until the child is 4’9” or 80 pounds
(whichever comes first). Although this is usually between the ages of 8 and
12, requirements vary by state. Know the laws that are applicable to the
geographic location of practice.
Adolescents— Independence, impulsivity, and a sense of invincibility create
many risks in this age group. Motor vehicle safety (both as driver and
passenger) should be reviewed as well as the dangers of alcohol and
substance abuse. Sexual
health information and safe sex practices should also be discussed.
Adults— Many different risks exist for this group that relate to home,
workplace, and leisure activities. In general, review the specific risks as
they relate to motor vehicles, fire, and the use of firearms.
Older adults— Declines in physical and cognitive abilities increase the risks
of falls as well as side effects with medications. In the older population,
reaction times become delayed increasing the risk of car accidents, falls, and
burns. If caregivers are used or present in the home, the risk of elder abuse
must be discussed with the patient to promote awareness and safety.
Environmental Considerations
Regardless of patient age, nurses must be familiar with the safety risks and
principles of accident prevention relative to the patient’s care environment.
Allergies— Patients of all ages can have allergies. Common allergy
categories include environmental allergies, medication allergies, food
allergies, and latex.
Inquire about patient allergies when working with patients to ensure
appropriate documentation and avoidance of any possible triggers.
Anaphylactic reactions provide serious bodily reactions in response to allergen
exposure. If not treated correctly and immediately, these reactions may lead
to death. Nurses must learn to recognize early signs of allergic and
anaphylactic reactions, including numbness or tingling around a body part
(especially lips, mouth, or tongue are extremely serious), swelling, increased
work of breathing, tachycardia, and hypotension.
Assistive equipment— Nurses will likely encounter patients with medical,
Safety and Infection Control Study Guide for the NCLEX-RN 2|Page
Exam
How to Prepare for Safety and Infection
Control Questions on the NCLEX-RN® Exam
General Information
Safety and Infection Control, a key subpart of Safe and Effective Care
Environment, addresses the nurse’s ability to manage care with the best
practices of reducing hazards while providing both emergent and non-
emergent responses to numerous situations.
Prevention
Nurses are key players in the prevention of hazards to patient care
including infection, accidents, injuries, and medical errors. In addition,
nurses must know and practice principles that ensure the safety of
healthcare personnel such as proper ergonomics, safe use of all equipment
and technology, and proper handling of infectious and hazardous materials.
Promoting safe measures begins prior to a patient’s
admission. This includes inspecting the environment, planning
for potential scenarios,
and anticipating where errors may occur. Nurses should understand their
role in an emergency response or security emergency situation. When the
patient is admitted, the nurse must immediately identify any patient-specific
risk factors that may increase the chances of error. Developmental factors, as
well as a patient’s lifestyle and knowledge of safety precautions, will factor
into this assessment. Finally, nurses should investigate future safety
concerns that may impact patients after discharge, in their homes and in the
community. Taking measures at every step of the patient admission process
helps to prevent catastrophic safety events from occurring.
Age-Related Safety Factors
Nursing review of patient safety issues should begin with knowledge of the
age-specific or developmental risks associated with each of these age
groups:
Infants— Parental safety education and implementation are the core of infant
safety. Nurses must educate parents on safety measures to take in order to
protect their infants. This includes instructing parents on proper carseat
placement/strapping, child- proofing homes, and safe sleep. The American
Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants stay in a rear facing car seat
until age 2. State law may vary and nurses should know the laws for their
state. Nurses and parents alike should monitor infants closely to avoid
contact with choking hazards, falling hazards, and hot items or liquids.
Toddlers— Fully mobile and curious about the world around them, toddlers
,Safety and Infection Control Study Guide for the NCLEX-RN Exam.
are at increased risk for poisoning, choking, and drowning. Inform parents and
caregivers
, Safety and Infection Control Study Guide for the NCLEX-RN Exam.
about proper safety precautions including child-proofing cabinets and
drawers where hazardous medications or potential poisonous cleaners are
kept. Car seats should be rear-facing in the back seat of the vehicle until
age 2. Toddlers should also remain in a 5-point harness until the child
reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by the seat (generally ages
4–7 years). Be sure to follow specific car seat standards in your state.
School-age children— Independence grows as more time is spent at school
and with friends. This age group needs education and guidance on water,
fire, and traffic safety as well as the dangers of strangers. Car seats and/or
boosters are typically required by law until the child is 4’9” or 80 pounds
(whichever comes first). Although this is usually between the ages of 8 and
12, requirements vary by state. Know the laws that are applicable to the
geographic location of practice.
Adolescents— Independence, impulsivity, and a sense of invincibility create
many risks in this age group. Motor vehicle safety (both as driver and
passenger) should be reviewed as well as the dangers of alcohol and
substance abuse. Sexual
health information and safe sex practices should also be discussed.
Adults— Many different risks exist for this group that relate to home,
workplace, and leisure activities. In general, review the specific risks as
they relate to motor vehicles, fire, and the use of firearms.
Older adults— Declines in physical and cognitive abilities increase the risks
of falls as well as side effects with medications. In the older population,
reaction times become delayed increasing the risk of car accidents, falls, and
burns. If caregivers are used or present in the home, the risk of elder abuse
must be discussed with the patient to promote awareness and safety.
Environmental Considerations
Regardless of patient age, nurses must be familiar with the safety risks and
principles of accident prevention relative to the patient’s care environment.
Allergies— Patients of all ages can have allergies. Common allergy
categories include environmental allergies, medication allergies, food
allergies, and latex.
Inquire about patient allergies when working with patients to ensure
appropriate documentation and avoidance of any possible triggers.
Anaphylactic reactions provide serious bodily reactions in response to allergen
exposure. If not treated correctly and immediately, these reactions may lead
to death. Nurses must learn to recognize early signs of allergic and
anaphylactic reactions, including numbness or tingling around a body part
(especially lips, mouth, or tongue are extremely serious), swelling, increased
work of breathing, tachycardia, and hypotension.
Assistive equipment— Nurses will likely encounter patients with medical,
Safety and Infection Control Study Guide for the NCLEX-RN 2|Page
Exam
