Nokea
A patients diagnostic testing revealed that he is colonized with vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE). What change in the patients health status could precipitate an infection?
- A. Use of a narrow-spectrum antibiotic
- B. Treatment of a concurrent infection using vancomycin
- C. Development of a skin break
- D. Persistent contact of the bacteria with skin surfaces
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A skin break provides a portal for VRE to cause infection from colonization. Antibiotics or prolonged skin contact are less likely to trigger infection.
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What is the best rationale for health care providers receiving the influenza vaccination on a yearly basis?
- A. To decreased nurses susceptibility to health care-associated infections
- B. To decrease risk of transmission to vulnerable patients
- C. To eventually eradicate the influenza virus in the United States
- D. To prevent the emergence of drug-resistant strains of the influenza virus
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Annual influenza vaccination reduces transmission to vulnerable patients. It does not prevent healthcare-associated infections, eradicate influenza, or stop drug-resistant strains.
A medical nurse is careful to adhere to infection control protocols, including handwashing. Which statement about handwashing supports the nurses practice?
- A. Frequent handwashing reduces transmission of pathogens from one patient to another.
- B. Wearing gloves is known to be an adequate substitute for handwashing.
- C. Bar soap is preferable to liquid soap.
- D. Waterless products should be avoided in situations where running water is unavailable.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Handwashing reduces pathogen transmission between patients, even with glove use. Bar soap can harbor bacteria, and waterless sanitizers are effective when water is unavailable.
An immunosuppressed patient is receiving chemotherapy treatment at home. What infection-control measure should the nurse recommend to the family?
- A. Family members should avoid receiving vaccinations until the patient has recovered from his or her illness.
- B. Wipe down hard surfaces with a dilute bleach solution once per day.
- C. Maintain cleanliness in the home, but recognize that the home does not need to be sterile.
- D. Avoid physical contact with the patient unless absolutely necessary.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A clean but non-sterile home environment is sufficient for immunosuppressed patients, as intrinsic bacteria pose greater risks than environmental ones. Avoiding vaccinations or contact is unnecessary, and daily bleach cleaning is excessive.
A male patient with gonorrhea asks the nurse how he can reduce his risk of contracting another sexually transmitted infection. The patient is not in a monogamous relationship. The nurse should instruct the patient to do which of the following?
- A. Ask all potential sexual partners if they have a sexually transmitted disease.
- B. Wear a condom every time he has intercourse.
- C. Consider intercourse to be risk-free if his partner has no visible discharge, lesions, or rashes.
- D. Aim to limit the number of sexual partners to fewer than five over his lifetime.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Condom use significantly reduces STI transmission risk. Partner inquiries, visible symptoms, or limiting partners are less reliable prevention methods.
A public health nurse promoting the annual influenza vaccination is focusing health promotion efforts on the populations most vulnerable to death from influenza. The nurse should focus on which of the following groups?
- A. Preschool-aged children
- B. Adults with diabetes and/or renal failure
- C. Older adults with compromised health status
- D. Infants under the age of 12 months
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Older adults with compromised health status face the highest influenza mortality risk, making them the priority for vaccination promotion.