ARRT Radiography Exam Quiz: Apply Infection Control Precautions
20 questions · exam conditions
0:00
Apply Infection Control PrecautionsQuestion 1 of 20

A patient arrives in the emergency department with symptoms of active pulmonary tuberculosis. What is the most critical infection control action the radiographer must take before performing a chest radiograph?

Wear a standard surgical mask
Wear a fit-tested N95 respirator
Place the patient in a room with positive-pressure airflow
Don a fluid-resistant gown and sterile gloves
← Back to quizzes

ARRT Radiography Exam Quiz

ARRT Radiography Exam Quiz: Apply Infection Control Precautions

Practice Apply Infection Control Precautions in ARRT Radiography Exam with focused quiz questions that help you check what you know, review explanations, and build confidence with test-style prompts.

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Apply Infection Control Precautions, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for ARRT Radiography Exam.

How to use this quiz

Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

All questions

Question 1

A patient arrives in the emergency department with symptoms of active pulmonary tuberculosis. What is the most critical infection control action the radiographer must take before performing a chest radiograph?

  1. Wear a standard surgical mask
  2. Wear a fit-tested N95 respirator (correct answer)
  3. Place the patient in a room with positive-pressure airflow
  4. Don a fluid-resistant gown and sterile gloves
Explanation: Tuberculosis is transmitted via airborne particles, which requires airborne precautions. The essential piece of PPE for healthcare workers to prevent inhalation of these particles is a properly fit-tested N95 respirator. A surgical mask does not filter small airborne particles. The patient should be in a negative-pressure room, not positive-pressure. A gown and gloves are part of contact precautions.

Question 2

A radiographer is preparing to administer an intravenous contrast agent. Which action demonstrates adherence to safe injection practices and medical asepsis?

  1. Wiping the rubber vial stopper with an alcohol pad before drawing the contrast. (correct answer)
  2. Using the same syringe to draw up contrast for multiple patients to reduce waste.
  3. Leaving a needle and syringe on the counter for later use on the same patient.
  4. Recapping the needle using a two-handed method after the injection is complete.
Explanation: Medical asepsis involves reducing the number of infectious agents. Wiping the vial stopper with alcohol before piercing it removes surface contaminants and is a critical step in preventing infection. Single-dose vials and syringes should never be used for more than one patient. Needles should not be left unattended, and recapping is a major cause of needlestick injuries; needles should be disposed of immediately in a sharps container.

Question 3

A radiographer believes they may have accidentally touched the outside of a sterile glove while putting it on. What is the most appropriate action to take?

  1. Inform the physician after the procedure is complete.
  2. Continue with the procedure, as the contact was brief.
  3. Cover the potentially contaminated glove with a second sterile glove.
  4. Remove the gloves, perform hand hygiene, and don a new pair of sterile gloves. (correct answer)
Explanation: This situation requires exercising a "sterile conscience." Any time the sterility of an item is in doubt, it must be considered contaminated. The only correct action is to remove the compromised gloves and start over with a new sterile pair to ensure patient safety and prevent surgical site infection.

Question 4

Which action best demonstrates the application of medical asepsis in the radiology department?

  1. Using an autoclave to prepare instruments for a myelogram.
  2. Wearing sterile gloves when assisting with an arthrogram.
  3. Cleaning the x-ray table with a disinfectant between patients. (correct answer)
  4. Establishing a sterile field for a central line placement.
Explanation: Medical asepsis refers to practices that reduce the number and spread of microorganisms (the 'clean technique'). Cleaning equipment between patients is a prime example. The other options (autoclaving, wearing sterile gloves, establishing a sterile field) are all components of surgical asepsis (the 'sterile technique'), which aims to eliminate all microorganisms.

Question 5

A radiographer uses an uncleaned positioning sponge for an outpatient's foot x-ray and then uses the same sponge for the next patient. In the chain of infection, the contaminated sponge is best described as a:

  1. Reservoir
  2. Portal of exit
  3. Fomite (correct answer)
  4. Vector
Explanation: A fomite is an inanimate object that can become contaminated with infectious agents and serve as a mechanism for transmission. The positioning sponge is a classic example of a fomite. A reservoir is where the pathogen lives and multiplies (e.g., a human body). A portal of exit is how the pathogen leaves the reservoir. A vector is typically a living organism, like a mosquito.

Question 6

A radiographer, wearing a gown, gloves, and a surgical mask, has just finished a procedure on a patient under droplet precautions.

What is the correct sequence for removing (doffing) this PPE to minimize self-contamination?

  1. Mask, gown, then gloves
  2. Gloves, gown, then mask (correct answer)
  3. Gown, mask, then gloves
  4. Gloves, mask, then gown
Explanation: The principle of doffing PPE is to remove the most contaminated items first. Gloves are considered the most contaminated, followed by the gown. The mask is removed last, usually just after leaving the patient room, to protect the respiratory tract until clear of the contaminated environment. Therefore, the sequence is gloves, gown, perform hand hygiene, then remove mask.

Question 7

While setting up a sterile tray for a hysterosalpingogram (HSG), the radiographer notices that the 1-inch border of the sterile drape has become wet from a spilled water cup. What is the correct course of action?

  1. Continue with the setup as the border is considered non-sterile anyway.
  2. Cover the wet spot with another sterile towel and proceed with the setup.
  3. Discard the entire sterile tray and set up a new one. (correct answer)
  4. Wait for the spot to air dry before placing any instruments on the tray.
Explanation: A sterile field that becomes wet is considered contaminated because moisture can draw microorganisms from the non-sterile surface below up to the sterile surface, a process called strike-through. Even though the border is non-sterile, the moisture can wick into the sterile portion of the field. Therefore, the entire setup is compromised and must be replaced.

Question 8

A patient arrives for an upper GI series and informs the radiographer that they have an active case of shingles on their back. The lesions are covered by their clothing. What is the appropriate level of precaution?

  1. Standard precautions are sufficient as long as the lesions remain covered. (correct answer)
  2. Full airborne and contact precautions must be implemented immediately.
  3. Droplet precautions should be used due to potential respiratory involvement.
  4. The procedure must be canceled and rescheduled after the lesions have healed.
Explanation: Localized herpes zoster (shingles) in an immunocompetent person only requires standard precautions, provided the lesions can be contained and covered. This prevents direct contact with the lesions. Full airborne and contact precautions are only required for disseminated shingles or in immunocompromised patients, where the risk of aerosolization is higher.

Question 9

A patient with a known Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection requires a portable abdominal radiograph. Which combination of personal protective equipment (PPE) is required for the radiographer entering the patient's room?

  1. Surgical mask and gloves
  2. Gown and gloves (correct answer)
  3. N95 respirator and gown
  4. Gloves only
Explanation: C. diff requires contact precautions due to its transmission via contaminated surfaces and direct contact. The standard PPE for contact precautions is a gown and gloves. A surgical mask or N95 respirator is not required for C. diff as it is not spread via droplet or airborne routes.

Question 10

A radiographer is performing an abdominal CT on a patient with vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) in their urine. The patient develops nausea and vomits on the CT table and their gown. Some vomit splashes onto the radiographer's face shield and gown. What combination of precautions and actions is MOST appropriate for this situation?

  1. Continue contact precautions as originally planned, clean the face shield with alcohol wipes, complete the scan, then perform full decontamination of equipment and personal protective equipment
  2. Upgrade to droplet precautions due to vomiting, stop the procedure, clean and disinfect the face shield immediately, change gown, and resume the scan with enhanced protection
  3. Maintain contact precautions, stop the procedure temporarily, clean the patient and table, ensure face shield and gown integrity, then continue the scan while monitoring for additional symptoms (correct answer)
  4. Implement airborne precautions due to potential aerosolization from vomiting, evacuate the room briefly, don N95 respirator, then return to complete the scan with full protective equipment
Explanation: VRE is transmitted through contact, and vomiting doesn't change the transmission route for VRE itself. The vomit may contain VRE if there's GI colonization. Contact precautions remain appropriate. The immediate concern is patient comfort, cleaning contaminated surfaces, and ensuring PPE integrity before continuing. Option A is incorrect because the procedure should be paused to address the patient's immediate needs. Option B wrongly upgrades precautions unnecessarily. Option D is incorrect because VRE doesn't require airborne precautions even with vomiting, and evacuation is unnecessary.

Question 11

A radiographer enters a room where a patient is on airborne precautions for suspected measles. Upon entering, the radiographer realizes they are wearing a surgical mask instead of an N95 respirator, but the patient appears anxious about delays. The examination is urgent for treatment planning. What is the MOST appropriate action?

  1. Proceed with the examination while maintaining maximum distance from the patient, as the surgical mask provides adequate protection for short-term exposure to measles
  2. Complete the examination quickly to minimize exposure time, then immediately report the exposure incident to infection control and employee health services
  3. Exit the room immediately, don appropriate respiratory protection, and re-enter to complete the examination while explaining the brief delay to the patient (correct answer)
  4. Request that the patient wear a surgical mask in addition to the radiographer's mask to create dual protection, then proceed with the urgent examination
Explanation: Measles is highly contagious and transmitted via airborne particles requiring N95 protection. A surgical mask is inadequate protection against airborne pathogens. The radiographer must exit, don proper PPE, and re-enter. Patient anxiety and urgency do not justify compromising safety protocols. Option A is incorrect because surgical masks don't filter airborne particles effectively. Option B is wrong because it accepts the exposure rather than preventing it. Option D is incorrect because adding a mask to the patient doesn't adequately protect the radiographer from airborne transmission.

Question 12

During a barium enema procedure, the patient on contact precautions for multidrug-resistant organisms suddenly experiences rectal leakage of contrast material onto the table and floor. The radiographer's shoe comes into contact with the spilled contrast. What is the MOST comprehensive approach to address this contamination incident?

  1. Complete the procedure first to avoid patient discomfort, then address contamination by cleaning shoes with disinfectant and notifying environmental services for floor cleaning
  2. Stop the procedure immediately, step away from contaminated area, remove shoe covers or clean shoes, clean up spill with appropriate disinfectant, then resume procedure with fresh PPE
  3. Continue the procedure while avoiding the spilled area, clean shoes after completion, and ensure environmental services performs terminal cleaning before the next patient
  4. Pause the procedure, contain the spill immediately, clean and disinfect shoes and any contaminated equipment, ensure patient dignity during cleanup, then resume with appropriate precautions (correct answer)
Explanation: This approach addresses all critical elements: immediate spill containment to prevent spread, proper decontamination of equipment and footwear, patient dignity during the incident, and safe resumption. The spill contains potentially infectious material requiring immediate attention. Option A risks spreading contamination by delaying cleanup. Option B doesn't address patient care during the interruption. Option C allows continued exposure to contamination and delays necessary cleaning.

Question 13

A radiographer receives an order for a chest X-ray on a patient who was recently admitted with 'rule out pneumonia' and has been placed on droplet precautions pending culture results. Upon reviewing the chart, the radiographer notes the patient has a history of cavitary lung lesions and recent travel to an area with high tuberculosis prevalence. What is the MOST appropriate action regarding precaution level?

  1. Proceed with droplet precautions as ordered, since the attending physician has already evaluated the patient and determined appropriate isolation level based on clinical presentation
  2. Contact the infection control nurse or attending physician to discuss the appropriateness of current precautions given the patient's risk factors for tuberculosis transmission (correct answer)
  3. Upgrade to airborne precautions independently and notify the attending physician about the potential for tuberculosis based on the patient's risk factors and clinical history
  4. Implement both droplet and airborne precautions simultaneously to ensure maximum protection until culture results definitively rule out tuberculosis transmission
Explanation: When you encounter isolation precaution questions, remember that patient safety depends on matching the correct precaution level to the specific transmission risk, and radiographers have a professional responsibility to advocate for appropriate protection when they identify potential gaps. The correct approach here is B - contacting infection control or the attending physician. While the patient is currently on droplet precautions for suspected pneumonia, the combination of cavitary lung lesions and recent travel to a high TB prevalence area creates significant risk factors for tuberculosis, which requires airborne precautions. Rather than making unilateral decisions, you should collaborate with the healthcare team to reassess the precaution level based on this additional risk information. A is problematic because it assumes the initial assessment considered all risk factors. Physicians may not always have complete travel history or may focus primarily on the presenting symptoms rather than TB risk factors. C overstepping your scope of practice by independently changing precautions. While you correctly identified the concern, unilaterally upgrading isolation levels without physician consultation violates proper chain of command and could create confusion in patient care. D seems protective but isn't standard practice. Implementing dual precautions without proper assessment and orders creates unnecessary resource use and may indicate poor communication rather than thorough care. Study tip: For ARRT isolation questions, remember your role is to identify potential safety concerns and communicate them appropriately, not to independently change medical orders. Always escalate precaution concerns through proper channels while ensuring your own protection in the meantime.

Question 14

A radiographer is preparing to perform a portable chest X-ray on a patient with active pulmonary tuberculosis in a negative pressure room. Upon entering, the radiographer notices the door has been left open for 10 minutes while housekeeping was cleaning, and the negative pressure indicator shows the room pressure has equalized. What is the MOST appropriate sequence of actions?

  1. Close the door immediately, wait 5 minutes for pressure to re-establish, verify negative pressure indicator, then proceed with the examination using appropriate airborne precautions
  2. Close the door, perform the examination immediately while wearing N95 protection, then report the pressure issue to facilities management after completing the urgent study
  3. Close the door, wait for complete air exchange cycle (typically 15-20 minutes), verify negative pressure restoration, then proceed with examination using proper respiratory protection (correct answer)
  4. Leave the door open, perform the examination quickly to minimize time in the compromised environment, then ensure proper room sealing and pressure restoration afterward
Explanation: When negative pressure is lost in a TB patient's room, the room must undergo complete air exchange to remove potentially contaminated air before it's safe to enter. This typically requires 15-20 minutes depending on the room's air change rate. Simply waiting 5 minutes (Option A) is insufficient for complete air exchange. Option B ignores the contaminated air issue. Option D worsens the situation by leaving the door open and performing the procedure in a compromised environment.

Question 15

A radiographer completes an examination on a patient with Clostridium difficile infection and begins removing PPE in the patient's room. After removing the gown and gloves, the radiographer reaches for the alcohol-based hand sanitizer dispenser mounted on the wall. What is the critical error in this infection control practice?

  1. Hand hygiene should be performed before removing any PPE to prevent contamination of hands during the removal process, particularly with spore-forming organisms
  2. Alcohol-based sanitizers are ineffective against C. difficile spores, requiring soap and water handwashing instead of sanitizer for this specific pathogen (correct answer)
  3. The PPE removal should occur outside the patient room to prevent recontamination of the environment with spores that may be aerosolized during removal
  4. The sequence is correct, but the radiographer should use chlorine-based hand antiseptic rather than alcohol-based sanitizer for spore-forming bacterial infections
Explanation: C. difficile produces spores that are resistant to alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Soap and water with mechanical action is required to physically remove spores from hands. This is a critical distinction for spore-forming organisms. Option A is incorrect - hand hygiene occurs after PPE removal, not before. Option C is wrong - PPE removal should occur in the room to contain contamination. Option D is incorrect - chlorine-based hand antiseptics are not standard practice and would be harmful to skin.

Question 16

A radiographer is assigned to perform an emergency CT scan on a trauma patient whose infection status is unknown. The patient has visible blood on their clothing and multiple open wounds. During the scan, the patient becomes agitated and blood droplets are observed on nearby surfaces. What level of precautions should be implemented, and what is the primary concern?

  1. Implement standard precautions with emphasis on contact protection, as blood and body fluids from any patient may contain bloodborne pathogens regardless of known infection status (correct answer)
  2. Implement airborne precautions immediately due to the potential for aerosolized blood particles, and ensure proper respiratory protection for all personnel in the area
  3. Implement droplet precautions focused on protecting mucous membranes from blood splatter, with particular attention to eye and mouth protection during the procedure
  4. Implement contact plus droplet precautions due to the combination of open wounds and blood splatter, ensuring both surface and airborne contamination control measures
Explanation: Standard precautions are designed exactly for this situation - treating all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious regardless of known status. This includes appropriate PPE for contact with blood and protection from splashes. The primary concern is bloodborne pathogen transmission (HIV, Hepatitis B/C). Option B is incorrect because blood droplets don't require airborne precautions unless there's a specific airborne pathogen suspected. Option C focuses only on droplet protection, missing contact concerns. Option D unnecessarily combines precaution types when standard precautions are appropriate and sufficient.

Question 17

During a fluoroscopic procedure, a radiographer accidentally touches the patient's intact skin with contaminated gloves after handling soiled linens. The patient is on contact precautions for C. difficile. The radiographer then needs to adjust the fluoroscopy equipment controls. What sequence of actions is MOST appropriate to maintain infection control?

  1. Remove and dispose of gloves, perform hand hygiene, don new gloves, continue the procedure, then clean equipment controls after the patient leaves (correct answer)
  2. Clean the gloves with alcohol-based sanitizer, continue the procedure, remove gloves, perform hand hygiene, then clean all equipment surfaces immediately
  3. Remove and dispose of gloves, perform hand hygiene, clean the patient's skin with antiseptic, don new gloves, and clean equipment controls before continuing
  4. Continue the procedure with current gloves to avoid interruption, remove gloves when finished, perform hand hygiene, then thoroughly clean all equipment surfaces
Explanation: After contamination, gloves must be immediately removed and disposed of, followed by hand hygiene and donning new gloves before continuing. C. difficile is a spore-forming organism resistant to alcohol-based sanitizers, making glove cleaning ineffective (Option B incorrect). Equipment controls can be cleaned after the procedure since they haven't been directly contaminated yet. Option C is incorrect because cleaning intact skin is unnecessary and wastes time. Option D is wrong because continuing with contaminated gloves would spread C. difficile spores to equipment and potentially the patient.

Question 18

A radiographer is assigned to perform portable X-rays on three patients in succession: Patient A has MRSA wound infection (contact precautions), Patient B has influenza (droplet precautions), and Patient C has no known infections (standard precautions only). In what order should these examinations be performed to minimize cross-contamination risk, and what is the primary rationale?

  1. Patient C, Patient B, Patient A - to progress from lowest to highest contamination risk, minimizing equipment contamination between clean and infected patients (correct answer)
  2. Patient A, Patient B, Patient C - to address the most serious infections first and ensure adequate time for terminal cleaning after each contact precaution patient
  3. Patient B, Patient A, Patient C - to handle droplet precautions before contact precautions, as airborne particles dissipate faster than surface contamination
  4. Patient A, Patient C, Patient B - to separate the two infectious patients and allow time for environmental decontamination between high-risk cases
Explanation: The correct sequence is clean to dirty (Patient C → B → A) to minimize cross-contamination. This prevents carrying pathogens from infected patients to uninfected ones. Starting with the cleanest patient reduces the risk of equipment contamination that could be transferred to subsequent patients. Option B is incorrect because it moves from most contaminated to least, risking cross-contamination. Option C is wrong because the rationale about particle dissipation doesn't address the equipment contamination concern. Option D incorrectly places the clean patient between infected ones, creating unnecessary contamination risk.

Question 19

A radiographer is performing a chest X-ray on a patient with suspected tuberculosis who is coughing frequently. The patient is currently on droplet precautions. During the examination, the patient removes their surgical mask to cough, and droplets are visible in the air. What is the MOST appropriate immediate action for the radiographer to take?

  1. Continue the examination while maintaining a 3-foot distance from the patient and ensure the patient replaces their mask immediately after the cough subsides
  2. Stop the examination immediately, leave the room, and wait 30 minutes before re-entering to allow airborne particles to settle completely
  3. Continue the examination while wearing an N95 respirator and ensure proper ventilation is functioning in the room before proceeding
  4. Immediately don an N95 respirator, stop the examination temporarily, ensure the patient replaces their mask, and verify room ventilation before continuing (correct answer)
Explanation: This scenario involves a patient with suspected TB (airborne pathogen) who is incorrectly on droplet precautions. When the patient coughs without a mask, airborne transmission becomes a significant risk. The radiographer must immediately protect themselves with an N95 respirator, ensure the patient is re-masked, and verify proper ventilation before continuing. Option A is incorrect because 3 feet is insufficient for airborne pathogens and doesn't address the respirator need. Option B is wrong because leaving immediately without ensuring patient safety and proper precautions is inappropriate. Option C is incorrect because it doesn't address stopping to re-mask the patient first.

Question 20

During a sterile procedure such as an arthrogram, which action by the radiographer would cause contamination of the sterile field?

  1. Pouring a sterile solution into a basin from 4-6 inches above the field.
  2. Reaching over the sterile field to place an instrument on the far side. (correct answer)
  3. Opening a sterile pack so that the final flap opens away from the body.
  4. Maintaining a 1-inch border between non-sterile items and the field.
Explanation: Reaching over a sterile field violates the principles of surgical asepsis. Dust, lint, or other particles from the non-sterile uniform or body could fall onto the field, causing contamination. All other options are correct procedures for maintaining a sterile field.