INTRO TO HCS

INFECTION CONTROL AND MICROBIOLOGY

ASSESSMENT

Write a brief description of each link in the chain of infection.

List an example.
List a healthcare practice that could break the chain at each link.

DEFINITION

1.

Pathogen

2.

Reservoir

3.

Portal of Exit

4.

Mode of
transmission

5.

Portal of Entry

6.

Susceptible
Host

LIST

7. Where would you find an anaerobic microorganism?

A. On a toilet seat
B. In the soil
C. In the air
D. In sterile water
8. What statement about bacteria is true?
A. All bacteria are harmful
B. All bacteria are round
C. All bacteria reproduce inside other living cells
D. All bacteria are single-celled organisms
9. A patients sore throat is caused by a streptococcus. How would it be treated?
A. Antibiotic medication
B. Antifungal gargle

Healthca
re
practice

INTRO TO HCS
INFECTION CONTROL AND MICROBIOLOGY
ASSESSMENT
C. Antiviral throat wash
D. There is no treatment for streptococcus
10. A man died from an infection caused by a rickettsiae. The infection was MOST LIKELY
transmitted by:
A. Walking barefoot in a locker room.
B. A blood transfusion.
C. The bite of a tick.
D. Breathing in contaminated air.
11.What organism can only be seen with an electron microscope?
A. Virus
B. Protozoa
C. Bacteria
D. FunguS
12.Beth has a nosocomial infection. How did she get it?
A. Hiking in the woods.
B. Having a massage at a hotel spa.
C. Eating contaminated food.
D. Spending three days in the hospital.
13.Tuberculosis is caused by a tubercle bacillus, which is a/an:
A. Virus.
B. Protozoa.
C. Bacteria.
D. Fungus.
14.Albert has a yeast infection under his arm. It should be treated with a/an:
A. Antifungal cream.
B. Antibiotic ointment.
C. Vaccination.
D. Hot compress.
15.An
A.
B.
C.
D.

infection that develops when the bodys normal defenses are not working properly is a/an:
Mutant infection.
Nonpathogenic infection.
Opportunistic infection.
Recessive infection.

16.A sterile towel falls on the floor. The towel would then be considered:
A. Infectious.
B. Contaminated.
C. Antiseptic.
D. Disinfected.

INTRO TO HCS
INFECTION CONTROL AND MICROBIOLOGY
ASSESSMENT

17.What could be found on the surface of a sterile instrument?

A. Viruses
B. Spores
C. Microbes
D. Nothing
18.OSHA regulations require hospitals to give their employees with occupational exposure what
vaccine free of charge?
A. Influenza
B. Mumps
C. Meningitis
D. Hepatitis B
19.A patient has an infection and is on airborne precautions. If the patient must be transported
to physical therapy, what should the patient wear?
A. A mask
B. Goggles
C. Gloves
D. A gown
20.What would a health care worker report in a sharps injury log?
A. Patient pain medication injections
B. Emergency room patients with cuts that require suturing
C. When he/she breaks any equipment
D. Sticking himself/herself with a needle
21.What healthcare professional should wear eye protection?
A. A nursing assistant taking a blood pressure.
B. A pharmacist filling a prescription for an antibiotic.
C. A dentist extracting a tooth.
D. An EMT responding to a possible cardiac arrest.
22.When should health care workers wear gowns and gloves?
A. When there is a chance of contact with blood and body fluids.
B. When entering the room of a patient who is HIV positive.
C. When she/he has a cold.
D. When caring for any patient with an upper respiratory tract infection.
23.What does OSHA require health facilities to provide for all employees who come in contact
with patients?
A. Health insurance
B. PPE
C. Annual chest x-rays

INTRO TO HCS
INFECTION CONTROL AND MICROBIOLOGY
ASSESSMENT
D. A watch with a second hand
24. Daniella arrives to work at the nursing home at 7:00 AM. After using the rest room, she takes
the blood pressure and temperature of eight patients, and then goes on break at 7:45 AM to
eat her yogurt. How many times should Daniella have practiced hand hygiene so far?
A. Seven (7)
B. Nine (9)
C. Eleven (11)
D. Nineteen (19)
25.While observing good body mechanics, how should a radiologic technologist move a portable
x-ray machine to a patients room?
A. Stand 2 feet away from the machine and push using the arm and back muscles.
B. Stand close to the machine and pull while walking backwards.
C. Stand 2 feet away from the machine and pull using the arm and leg muscles.
D. Stand close to the machine and push using the weight of the body.
26.Darla is a medical office assistant and must take a heavy box from the floor to the storage
room. How should she lift it?
A. Bend at the hips and knees with the back straight, get close to the box, and lift using the
leg
muscles.
B. Keep one leg straight and bend the other to get close to the box, then lift while
straightening the
bent leg and bending the straight leg.
C. Put a chair next to the box, kneel down, pick up the box and place it on the chair. Then
stand
and lift the box, holding it close to the chest.
D. Bend at the waist to pick up the box, and then use the arm muscles to lift and bring the
box
close in to the body.
27.Diane and Elena work at a nursing home and have similar patient care assignments. At the
end of every shift, Diane is tired and her back and shoulders ache, while Elena feels pretty
good. What MOST LIKEY causes the difference?
A. Elena must be much younger.
B. Elena must be much thinner.
C. Elena must use good body mechanics.
D. Diane must work much harder.

28.You are getting ready to move a patient up in bed, and your supervisor tells you to broaden
your base of support. You should:
A. Bend at the knees.
B. Place your feet further apart.
C. Raise your arms up at your sides.
D. Lean up against the bed.

INTRO TO HCS
INFECTION CONTROL AND MICROBIOLOGY
ASSESSMENT
29. Handwashing is described as the single most important practice for:
A. Preventing the spread of HIV.
B. Preventing the opportunistic infections.
C. Sterile technique.
D. Aseptic technique.
30. Karla delivers a meal try to Mrs. Garcia. She moves Mrs. Garcias tissue box and magazine to
the bedside table. As
Karla leaves the room, what is the minimal hand hygiene required?
A. None since Karla did not touch the patient
B. Wash for two minutes with soap and water
C. Wash hands using an antimicrobial soap
D. Use alcohol-based handrub
31. What is an example of a bloodborne pathogen?
A. Hepatitis C
B. Sleeping sickness
C. Yeast
D. Vitamin A
32. A dental assistant tears a glove when assisting a dentist with a patient who is HIV positive.
What should the assistant do FIRST?
A. Notify OSHA
B. Report the incident to the CDC
C. Remove the gloves and wash hands
D. Put on a new pair of gloves

33.You are cleaning a patients dentures when some of the soaking solution splashes into your
eye. What should you do FIRST?
A. Flush your eyes with water.
B. Call 911.
C. Notify your supervisor.
D. Complete an incident report.

34.What should you place in a red bag with the words Biohazardous Waste on the front of the
bag?
A. Soiled bed linens
B. Patients clothes that are stained with blood
C. A soiled dressing from a wound
D. A wet disposable baby diaper
35.You should consult a Material Safety Data Sheet to get information about cleaning up what
type of spill?
A. Blood
B. Chemical

INTRO TO HCS
INFECTION CONTROL AND MICROBIOLOGY
ASSESSMENT
C. Food
D. Bottle of pills
36.A computer in the medical records section of the hospital has a frayed cord. What should the
office manager do?
A. Replace the cord with a new one.
B. Wrap the cord with electrical tape.
C. Report the damage to the manufacturer.
D. Report the damage to the hospital administrator.
37.You are washing your hands and splash an ounce of water on the floor. What should you do?
A. Call housekeeping to clean up the spill.
B. Allow the water to evaporate.
C. Wipe up the spill and clean the area with an approved floor cleaner.
D. Dry the spill with a paper towel and re-wash your hands.
38.You are a medical assistant in an office practice and have been asked to get Mrs. James in
room 6 to sign a consent form. What should you do FIRST?
A. Ask Mrs. James to spell her full name for you.
B. Explain the procedure needing consent before you ask her to sign the form.
C. Knock on the door before entering the room.
D. Read the history and physical on Mrs. James chart.
39.After caring for a resident in a nursing home, before leaving the room the healthcare worker
should:
A. Check to be sure the bed is in its highest position.
B. Be sure the wheels on the bed are not locked.
C. Pull the privacy curtains and place the call bell on the bedside table.
D. Put the clients phone, tissues and glasses within easy reach.
40.After ergonomics training, a healthcare worker should know how to:
A. Prevent injuries in the work environment.
B. Practice aseptic technique in a specific work setting.
C. Read and understand Material Safety Data Sheets.
D. Wear PPE.
41.What does this symbol tell a healthcare worker?
A. This is a poison
B. Practice standard precautions
C. This item is sterile
D. Bloodborne pathogen alert
42.You are working in a hospital when you hear a patient in a room at the end of the hall call for
help. What should you do FIRST?
A. Run to the room and offer assistance.

INTRO TO HCS
INFECTION CONTROL AND MICROBIOLOGY
ASSESSMENT
B. Find your supervisor and tell him/her what you heard.
C. Walk quickly to the room and assess the situation.
D. Go to the nurses station, call the room, and offer assistance.

43.You are working in a nursing home and have been asked to take Mr. Arnold to recreational
therapy in a wheelchair. When you arrive in the room, Mr. Arnold refuses to go. What should
you do?
A. Gently guide Mr. Arnold to sit in the wheelchair.
B. Explain to Mr. Arnold that if he does not do as you ask, he will never get better.
C. Ask why and then report Mr. Arnolds refusal to your supervisor.
D. Have Mr. Arnold sign an Against Medical Advice refusal form.

44. List the steps to take in a fire designated in this acrostic:

RACE-

45. When preparing to use a fire extinguisher, what must you do FIRST?
A. Use a side-to-side sweeping motion.
B. Pull the pin.
C. Aim at the bottom and edge of the fire.
D. Squeeze the handle.

46.You are working alone in a medical laboratory when a large machine sparks and then starts to
flame up and spreads to the cabinet and papers above. What should you do?
A. Use a Class A extinguisher
B. Use a Class C extinguisher
C. Activate the fire alarm
D. Evacuate the building
47. You are working in a dental laboratory on the 4 th floor of an office building when you hear the
fire alarm. What should you do?
A. Wait until you receive some indication that this is a real fire and not a false alarm.
B. Call the fire department.
C. Evacuate the building using the stairs.

INTRO TO HCS
INFECTION CONTROL AND MICROBIOLOGY
ASSESSMENT
D. Go to the office and gather up as many records as possible and put them on a cart to
remove from the building in the event there really is a fire.
48.Which of the following is considered a fire hazard?
A. No Smoking sign on a room with oxygen in use.
B. The use of an electrical blow dryer in a hospital room.
C. Wheelchairs and stretchers blocking a stairwell.
D. Waste materials disposed of in metal containers.
49.You are the first to arrive at the scene of a home where a tornado touched down. You find one
unconscious victim inside, and notice that the roof in the room with the victim looks unstable.
What would you do?
A. Leave the house immediately and wait for trained personnel to arrive.
B. Find something flat to place under the victim, then stabilize the victims head, neck and
spine
before attempting to move the victim.
C. As quickly as possible, drag the victim to a safer location.
D. Immobilize the victims head, neck and back and stay with the victim until trained
personnel
arrive.
50.You are driving down the road and come upon an overturned bus. When you call 911 on your
cell phone, what should you be prepared to tell the 911 operator?
A. The name of the bus company.
B. Your name, age and credentials.
C. The number of victims and a description of their injuries.
D. Your location and the approximate number of victims.
51.A hospice nurse brings an oxygen tank to a patient. What would the nurse tell the patient not
to use when the oxygen is in use?
A. Hand lotion or sunscreen
B. A battery operated radio
C. Alcohol or nail polish
D. The TV remote
52.What is bioterrorism?
A. The threat of leaks or destruction to a nuclear plant.
B. The use of microbes for industrial waste disposal.
C. The threat of using harmful gasses during a war to paralyze the opposition.
D. The use of microorganisms as weapons to infect humans.

INTRO TO HCS
INFECTION CONTROL AND MICROBIOLOGY
ASSESSMENT