Apply Infection Control Precautions - ARRT Radiography Exam
- What is the correct order for doffing PPE to reduce self-contamination risk?
- Gloves, eye protection, gown, mask/respirator. This order removes the most contaminated items first, reducing the risk of transferring pathogens to clean areas or mucous membranes during removal.
- Which respiratory protection is required for airborne precautions (for example, suspected tuberculosis)?
- Fit-tested N95 respirator or higher. It filters at least 95% of airborne particles, providing respiratory protection against inhalation of infectious droplet nuclei.
- Where must used needles and other sharps be discarded immediately after use?
- Puncture-resistant sharps container. These containers are designed to safely contain sharps, preventing accidental injuries and environmental contamination in healthcare settings.
- Which PPE is indicated to protect clothing and skin when splashes or sprays of blood or body fluids are likely?
- Gown. It provides a barrier to prevent soiling of uniforms and exposure of skin to infectious agents during procedures with high splash risk.
- What is the immediate first action after a needlestick or sharps injury in the imaging department?
- Wash the area with soap and water. Immediate cleansing removes potential pathogens from the wound site, minimizing the risk of infection before reporting and seeking medical evaluation.
- Which isolation category requires gloves and gown upon room entry due to spread by direct or indirect contact?
- Contact precautions. They are implemented for infections spread through direct skin contact or indirect contact with contaminated surfaces to contain the pathogen.
- Which single action is the most effective method to prevent healthcare-associated infections?
- Hand hygiene. It is the cornerstone of infection prevention, effectively removing transient microorganisms that can transfer between patients and healthcare workers.
- Which PPE protects the mucous membranes of the eyes during splash or spray risk?
- Goggles or face shield. They create a physical barrier to shield the conjunctiva from infectious droplets or aerosols generated during patient care activities.
- Which isolation category is used for pathogens spread by large respiratory droplets over short distances?
- Droplet precautions. They target infections like influenza where pathogens are propelled in large droplets during coughing or sneezing, typically traveling less than 6 feet.
- Which PPE item is required when contact with blood, body fluids, mucous membranes, or nonintact skin is anticipated?
- Gloves. They serve as a protective barrier to prevent direct skin contact with potentially infectious materials, reducing the risk of pathogen transmission.
- Identify the correct action after imaging a patient on contact precautions with shared equipment.
- Clean and disinfect equipment with facility-approved disinfectant. Disinfection eliminates residual pathogens on surfaces, ensuring equipment is safe for subsequent patients and breaking the chain of transmission.
- What is the preferred approach to imaging a patient on transmission-based precautions?
- Use portable imaging to minimize transport. Portable units reduce patient movement through the facility, limiting opportunities for pathogen transmission to other patients and staff.
- Which practice is prohibited because it increases the risk of needlestick injury?
- Recapping used needles. It poses a high risk of accidental puncture as the hand holding the cap may slip, leading to exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
- What is the primary purpose of standard precautions in radiography practice?
- Prevent transmission of infectious agents. They are implemented to interrupt the chain of infection by treating all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious in healthcare settings.
- Which PPE is used to protect the nose and mouth from droplets and splashes during close patient care?
- Surgical mask. It acts as a barrier to block large-particle droplets, splashes, or sprays that may contain infectious agents from reaching the mucous membranes.
- What is the correct action if gloves tear or become heavily contaminated during a procedure?
- Remove, perform hand hygiene, and replace gloves. This sequence ensures removal of contaminated gloves, cleans hands to prevent self-contamination, and maintains a sterile field with new gloves.
- What is the preferred hand hygiene method when hands are not visibly soiled?
- Alcohol-based hand rub. It provides rapid antimicrobial action against a wide range of pathogens without requiring water or drying time, enhancing compliance in busy clinical environments.
- Which item should be dedicated to a single patient on contact precautions when possible?
- Patient-care equipment (for example, detector, positioning aids). Dedicating items prevents cross-contamination by avoiding shared use that could transfer pathogens between infected and non-infected patients.
- What is the correct waste-handling principle for items saturated with blood or body fluids?
- Dispose as regulated medical waste per policy. Such items are considered biohazardous due to potential pathogen content, requiring special handling to prevent environmental contamination and infection spread.
- Which PPE is required upon entry for droplet precautions when providing close patient care?
- Surgical mask. It filters large respiratory droplets generated by coughing or talking, protecting the healthcare worker during interactions within 3-6 feet.
- Which term describes the basic infection control practices used for all patients, regardless of diagnosis?
- Standard precautions. These practices are universally applied to all patients to minimize the risk of infection transmission from blood, body fluids, and other potentially infectious materials.
- What is the correct order for donning PPE before patient contact?
- Gown, mask/respirator, eye protection, gloves. This sequence starts with the gown to cover clothing first, followed by items that require adjustment, minimizing contamination during the donning process.
- Which isolation category is used for pathogens transmitted by airborne droplet nuclei over long distances?
- Airborne precautions. They address diseases like tuberculosis where small particles remain suspended in air and can be inhaled from a distance.
- What hand hygiene method is required when hands are visibly soiled or contaminated with body fluids?
- Soap and water handwashing. The mechanical friction combined with antimicrobial soap effectively removes visible soil, proteinaceous material, and certain pathogens like Clostridium difficile spores.
- What type of room is required for a patient on airborne precautions when available?
- Airborne infection isolation room (negative pressure). Negative pressure ventilation directs airflow inward, preventing contaminated air from escaping and spreading to other areas.