ATI RN
Nurses and Infection Control Questions
Question 1 of 5
A nurse in the emergency room is taking care of a 4-year-old patient who has a suspected case of impetigo. The nurse knows that which of the following precautions is most important to prevent the spread of this infection?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: contact precautions. Impetigo is primarily spread through direct contact with the infected skin lesions. Therefore, the most important precaution to prevent the spread of impetigo is contact precautions, which involve wearing gloves and maintaining proper hand hygiene. Standard precautions (choice A) should always be followed in healthcare settings, but they do not specifically address the direct contact spread of impetigo. Droplet precautions (choice B) are used for infections transmitted through respiratory droplets, and airborne precautions (choice C) are for infections transmitted through the air. In the case of impetigo, the main mode of transmission is through direct contact with the skin lesions, making contact precautions the most appropriate choice.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse who works in an outpatient surgical center develops a new respiratory illness. She has atypical symptoms and is not responding to conventional therapies. Her work history includes spending considerable amounts of time in her facility’s central supply and equipment sterilization areas. Her treating physician suspects her illness is linked to a workplace exposure. Where is the best place for the nurse to obtain information regarding her potential workplace exposures?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: the Safety Data Sheets/SDS at her facility. This is the best place for the nurse to obtain information regarding her potential workplace exposures because SDS provide detailed information about hazardous chemicals in the workplace, including health effects, protective measures, and exposure control. The nurse can review the SDS for the chemicals used in the central supply and equipment sterilization areas to identify any potential exposures that may be linked to her illness. Choice A (the equipment manufacturer’s service center and help desk) is incorrect because they may not have specific information on workplace exposures. Choice B (OSHA website) is incorrect because while OSHA provides general workplace safety guidelines, it may not have specific information on the nurse’s workplace exposures. Choice D (CDC’s reportable illness hotline) is incorrect because it is more focused on reporting and tracking infectious diseases, rather than identifying workplace exposures.
Question 3 of 5
There has been a mass casualty shooting at a nearby school. A nurse is working in the emergency department and is asked to triage clients as they arrive at the hospital. One of the clients arriving at the emergency department is in a wheelchair speaking to a nurse frantically while clutching his leg around a bloodied bandage and his foot is oddly angled. Based on this information, which of the following tag colors would the triage nurse assign this client?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: yellow. This client is displaying signs of delayed care needed, as he is speaking and alert but has a serious injury requiring immediate medical attention. The client's frantic state and the bloodied bandage indicate a potentially severe injury. The oddly angled foot suggests a possible fracture or dislocation, requiring urgent care but not immediate life-saving interventions. Assigning a yellow tag ensures the client receives prompt treatment without overwhelming the resources needed for critically injured individuals. Incorrect options: A: Red tag is for clients with life-threatening injuries who require immediate attention. C: Black tag is for clients who are deceased or have injuries incompatible with survival. D: Green tag is for clients with minor injuries or who require minimal medical care.
Question 4 of 5
A charge nurse inspects empty rooms prior to deciding which rooms to assign clients. The nurse comes across an IV pole with a frayed electrical cord in one of the empty rooms. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. 1. Moving the IV pole to the dirty utility room ensures it is removed from patient care areas to prevent potential harm. 2. Placing a broken sign on the pole alerts staff to the issue. 3. This action follows safety protocols and prevents further use of the damaged equipment. Other choices are incorrect: A: Writing an incident report and leaving the pole in the room does not address the immediate safety concern. B: Placing the IV pole just outside the room with a trash bag is not a proper way to handle a safety hazard. D: Telling the staff nurse is not as effective as physically moving the pole to a designated area for broken equipment.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is preparing to transfer a 32-year-old client with spastic quadriplegia from the client’s bed to her wheelchair. Which of the following actions should the nurse take during the transfer?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Facing the client helps maintain eye contact and communication. Planting feet shoulder-width apart provides a stable base of support. Bending the knees instead of the back reduces strain. Lifting the client with proper body mechanics minimizes the risk of injury to both the nurse and the client. This method ensures a safe and effective transfer. Choice A is incorrect because lifting the client from a lying to sitting position and pivoting can strain the nurse's back and may not be safe for the client. Choice C is incorrect as twisting while lifting can lead to back injury for the nurse and discomfort or injury for the client. Choice D is incorrect because cradling the client under her legs and arms may not provide adequate support and can lead to a risky transfer.