Infection Control Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. To whom should standard precautions generally be applied in a healthcare setting?
Every patient, regardless of known or suspected infection status
Only patients with laboratory-confirmed infections
Only patients who have fever or respiratory symptoms
Only patients placed in an isolation room
2. Which practice is fundamental to safe injection technique?
Prepare injections beside used equipment so all supplies remain together
Reuse a syringe if the needle is changed before the next patient
Use a new sterile needle and syringe for each patient and each injection
Save partially used single-dose medication containers for unrelated patients
3. In the chain of infection, which term describes the route through which a pathogen leaves its reservoir?
Susceptible host
Mode of transmission
Portal of exit
Portal of entry
4. What does sterilization achieve when performed correctly?
Removal of visible soil from reusable equipment
Reduction of microorganisms to a level suitable for routine surfaces
Elimination of disease-causing viruses while leaving bacteria unchanged
Destruction or removal of all forms of microbial life, including bacterial spores
5. How should contaminated linen generally be handled to reduce pathogen dispersal?
Shake it to remove loose material before placing it in a bag
Carry it uncovered to prevent moisture from collecting in a bag
Handle it as little as possible and contain it at the point of use
Sort it on the floor before transporting it to the laundry area
6. A surface disinfectant label says the surface must remain wet for a specified contact time. What should you do?
Wipe the product off immediately to prevent residue
Use extra product but shorten the contact time
Keep the surface wet for the full labeled contact time
Dry the surface first and then apply the disinfectant lightly
7. You have just used a disposable needle. Which action best reduces needlestick risk?
Recap it carefully using both hands before disposal
Place it directly into an approved puncture-resistant sharps container
Bend the needle so that it cannot be reused
Leave it on the work surface for collection at the end of the task
8. A coughing person arrives in a crowded waiting area. Which response best supports source control?
Wait for a confirmed diagnosis before taking any precautions
Offer a mask if tolerated, encourage respiratory hygiene, and create distance where feasible
Give gloves to everyone nearby as the primary control measure
Ask the person to remove any mask so staff can assess the cough
9. During hand hygiene, which commonly missed areas deserve deliberate attention?
Thumbs, fingertips, between the fingers, and around the nails
The wrists only, because they contact clothing
Only the centers of the palms
Only the backs of the hands when gloves were worn
10. During wound care, one of your gloves tears. What should you do next?
Finish the task quickly because the other glove is intact
Place a second glove over the torn glove and continue
Remove only the torn glove and replace it immediately
Pause safely, remove the gloves, perform hand hygiene, and put on new gloves
11. A splash of potentially infectious fluid reaches a worker's eyes. What is the best immediate response?
Close the eyes for several minutes and wait for natural tears to clear them
Irrigate the eyes promptly and report the exposure according to protocol
Disinfect the eyelids with a surface-cleaning product
Continue working unless symptoms appear later
12. Which statement about gloves and hand hygiene is correct?
Gloves do not replace hand hygiene, which is still needed at appropriate moments
Hand hygiene is needed only before gloves are put on, not after removal
Gloves remove the need for hand hygiene if they remain visibly clean
The same gloves may be used for several tasks on one patient without changing them
13. A patient under transmission-based precautions must leave the room for an essential procedure. What is the best general approach?
Cancel every procedure until all precautions have ended
Remove all precautions during transport because the patient is outside the room
Allow unrestricted movement as long as the patient avoids touching surfaces
Limit transport, use appropriate source-control measures, and alert the receiving area
14. After removing gloves, you notice visible dirt and organic material on your hands. What is the most appropriate hand-hygiene method?
Apply alcohol-based hand rub until the dirt is no longer visible
Wipe your hands with a dry paper towel
Put on a fresh pair of gloves without cleaning your hands
Wash thoroughly with soap and water
15. Which statement best distinguishes cleaning from disinfection?
Cleaning reliably destroys all microorganisms, including bacterial spores
Cleaning removes soil and organic material, helping disinfection work effectively
Disinfection is intended mainly to remove visible dust and debris
Disinfection and cleaning are interchangeable terms for the same process
16. You need to send a potentially infectious specimen to a laboratory. Which approach is most appropriate?
Use a correctly labeled, leak-resistant container and follow the required transport procedure
Place the request paperwork inside the primary specimen container
Leave the container unlabeled to protect the patient's identity
Carry it in an open tray so leaks can be spotted immediately