NBCOT Registered Occupational Therapists (OTR) Quiz: Infection Control
20 questions · exam conditions
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Infection ControlQuestion 1 of 20

An occupational therapist in an acute rehabilitation unit is preparing to co-treat a client with a physical therapist. The client, who is recovering from a CVA, is on both Contact and Droplet precautions for an unresolved MRSA infection in a surgical wound and an influenza diagnosis. During the session, the client coughs forcefully, and visible droplets land on the front of the OTR's isolation gown.

According to CDC guidelines for sequencing, what is the MOST appropriate order for the OTR to doff their Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) upon leaving the client's room?

Gloves, goggles, gown, then mask/respirator outside the room.
Gown and gloves simultaneously, goggles, then mask/respirator outside the room.
Mask/respirator, gown, goggles, then gloves.
Goggles, gown, gloves, then mask/respirator outside the room.
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NBCOT Registered Occupational Therapists (OTR) Quiz

NBCOT Registered Occupational Therapists (OTR) Quiz: Infection Control

Practice Infection Control in NBCOT Registered Occupational Therapists (OTR) 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 Infection Control, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for NBCOT Registered Occupational Therapists (OTR).

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

An occupational therapist in an acute rehabilitation unit is preparing to co-treat a client with a physical therapist. The client, who is recovering from a CVA, is on both Contact and Droplet precautions for an unresolved MRSA infection in a surgical wound and an influenza diagnosis. During the session, the client coughs forcefully, and visible droplets land on the front of the OTR's isolation gown.

According to CDC guidelines for sequencing, what is the MOST appropriate order for the OTR to doff their Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) upon leaving the client's room?

  1. Gloves, goggles, gown, then mask/respirator outside the room.
  2. Gown and gloves simultaneously, goggles, then mask/respirator outside the room. (correct answer)
  3. Mask/respirator, gown, goggles, then gloves.
  4. Goggles, gown, gloves, then mask/respirator outside the room.
Explanation: The correct answer is B. The principle for doffing PPE is to remove the most contaminated items first. When a gown is visibly soiled, it is considered highly contaminated. The CDC recommends removing the gown and gloves together to minimize self-contamination. The gown is turned inside out as it is removed, and the gloves are peeled off with it. Goggles are removed next. The mask/respirator is removed last, typically outside the patient's room or in an anteroom, to protect the respiratory tract until clear of the contaminated environment.

Question 2

An OTR working in a public school is providing services to a second-grade student with a documented, draining skin lesion on his forearm due to community-acquired MRSA. The wound is covered with a clean, dry, and occlusive dressing. The student participates in classroom activities that involve using shared manipulatives and a computer station.

What is the MOST appropriate recommendation for the OTR to make to the student's IEP team to ensure safety for all students?

  1. The student must use a separate set of manipulatives and be assigned a dedicated computer for the duration of the infection.
  2. The student should be excluded from classroom activities involving shared items until the MRSA infection has fully resolved.
  3. The student can participate fully, provided the wound remains covered with a clean, dry dressing and good hand hygiene is practiced. (correct answer)
  4. All shared classroom items must be sterilized in an autoclave after each use by any student for the remainder of the school year.
Explanation: The correct answer is C. According to the CDC, exclusion of students with MRSA infections is not necessary as long as the wound can be reliably covered and contained with a clean, dry dressing. The primary modes of transmission are contact with the wound drainage or contaminated items. Therefore, ensuring the dressing is intact and practicing good hand hygiene are the key, evidence-based recommendations. Requiring separate items (A) or exclusion (B) are overly restrictive and not aligned with current guidelines. Sterilization (D) is unnecessary and impractical for non-critical classroom items; routine cleaning and disinfection would be sufficient if contamination were suspected.

Question 3

An OTR works in an outpatient hand therapy clinic. After removing a client's wound dressing, the OTR places the soiled gauze, which is saturated with serosanguinous drainage but not dripping, on a disposable paper towel on the countertop. After the session, the OTR gathers the gauze and paper towel for disposal.

According to OSHA regulations for regulated medical waste, what is the correct method for disposing of the soiled gauze?

  1. Place it in the standard trash receptacle, as it is not 'drippable' or 'pourable' and thus not considered regulated waste.
  2. Place it in a designated red biohazard bag because it is saturated with a potentially infectious body fluid. (correct answer)
  3. Place it in a sharps container because it was in contact with a non-intact skin surface and could contain microscopic sharps.
  4. Seal it in a small plastic bag before placing it in the standard trash to contain any residual moisture and odor.
Explanation: The correct answer is B. OSHA defines regulated medical waste to include items saturated or caked with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). 'Saturated' means that the fluid could be wrung out or would drip if compressed. Even though it was not actively dripping, a dressing described as 'saturated' with serosanguinous fluid meets the criteria for regulated waste and must be disposed of in a labeled biohazard bag. Disposing of it in the standard trash (A, D) violates OSHA standards. It does not belong in a sharps container (C), which is reserved for items that can puncture the skin.

Question 4

An OTR in a pediatric outpatient clinic is selecting a reusable therapeutic putty for a child who has a compromised immune system due to chemotherapy. The clinic's standard protocol is to assign each child their own putty container, but cross-contamination between a child's hands and the environment is still a concern. The putty cannot be washed or saturated with liquid disinfectant.

Which type of putty and associated infection control procedure is MOST appropriate for this client?

  1. Standard silicone-based putty, with instructions for the client to perform hand hygiene before and after use.
  2. Antimicrobial-treated putty, which requires no additional infection control procedures due to its inherent properties.
  3. Standard silicone-based putty, to be used only while the client is wearing disposable, non-latex gloves.
  4. A single-use portion of putty that is disposed of immediately after the therapy session is completed. (correct answer)
Explanation: The correct answer is D. For a client who is severely immunocompromised, the highest level of precaution should be taken to prevent introducing any pathogens. Since therapeutic putty is difficult to disinfect and can harbor microbes, the safest option is to use a single-use portion and discard it, eliminating any chance of the putty itself becoming a reservoir for infection. While hand hygiene (A) is always important, it doesn't guarantee the putty remains clean. Antimicrobial putty (B) is not guaranteed to be sterile or effective against all pathogens and can create a false sense of security. Using gloves (C) is a plausible option but can be cumbersome, affect sensory feedback, and still carries a risk of contamination if the gloves are breached or handled improperly; single-use is the most definitive control.

Question 5

An OTR in a burn unit is preparing to debride a client's wound as a preparatory activity. This procedure has a high likelihood of generating splashes of body fluids.

In addition to a gown and gloves, which piece of PPE is essential for the therapist to wear?

  1. Shoe covers.
  2. A hair bonnet.
  3. Double gloves.
  4. A face shield or goggles and a mask. (correct answer)
Explanation: The correct answer is D. Standard Precautions mandate the use of eye and face protection when there is a risk of splashing or spraying of blood or body fluids. Wound debridement is a procedure with a high risk of such splashes. A face shield or goggles combined with a mask protects the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and mouth from exposure. Shoe covers (A), a hair bonnet (B), and double gloves (C) are not considered essential PPE for this specific risk, although they may be used in certain surgical settings.

Question 6

An OTR in a pediatric outpatient clinic uses a variety of shared toys and materials, including plastic blocks, textured balls, and therapy putty. The clinic has a high volume of clients, many of whom have upper respiratory infections.

Which item requires that a new, unused portion be provided to each client to maintain proper infection control?

  1. Hard plastic blocks.
  2. Non-porous textured balls.
  3. The therapy mat.
  4. Therapy putty. (correct answer)
Explanation: The correct answer is D. Therapy putty is a porous material that cannot be reliably cleaned or disinfected between uses. To prevent cross-contamination, each client should be given their own new portion of putty, which can be sent home with them. Hard plastic blocks (A) and non-porous textured balls (B) can be effectively cleaned and disinfected between clients. The therapy mat (C) is a large surface that should be cleaned and disinfected between sessions.

Question 7

An occupational therapist is preparing to enter the room of a client with active pulmonary tuberculosis who is in an airborne infection isolation room (AIIR).

What is the essential piece of respiratory protection the therapist MUST use before entering the room?

  1. A standard surgical mask.
  2. A face shield over a surgical mask.
  3. A powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR).
  4. A fit-tested N95 respirator. (correct answer)
Explanation: The correct answer is D. Airborne precautions, required for patients with diseases like tuberculosis, mandate the use of a respirator that filters small airborne particles. An N95 respirator that has been properly fit-tested to ensure a tight seal is the minimum standard of care. A surgical mask (A) does not provide an adequate seal or filtration for airborne pathogens. A face shield (B) protects from droplets but not airborne particles. A PAPR (C) is a higher level of protection but is not considered the minimum essential piece; an N95 is the standard requirement.

Question 8

An occupational therapist is providing home health services to an elderly client who is recovering from pneumonia. The client's spouse, who is the primary caregiver, has a persistent cough. The therapist brings a personal tote bag containing assessment tools into the home.

To adhere to standard precautions, where is the BEST place for the therapist to put the tote bag during the visit?

  1. On the floor in the corner of the room.
  2. On the client's bed for easy access to tools.
  3. On a paper towel placed on a hard, non-upholstered surface. (correct answer)
  4. On the upholstered armchair next to the client.
Explanation: The correct answer is C. Placing the bag on a disposable barrier, such as a paper towel, on a clean, hard surface like a table or counter minimizes contact with potentially contaminated surfaces in the home. This prevents the transfer of microorganisms to and from the bag. The floor (A) is considered a highly contaminated surface. The client's bed (B) and upholstered furniture (D) are soft surfaces that can harbor pathogens and are difficult to clean, posing a risk for cross-contamination.

Question 9

An OTR has completed an intervention session with a client who is on Droplet Precautions for influenza. During the session, the therapist wore gloves and a mask due to anticipated contact with respiratory secretions. The therapist is now preparing to doff the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

What is the correct sequence for doffing the PPE?

  1. Remove mask, then gloves, then perform hand hygiene.
  2. Remove gloves, then mask, then perform hand hygiene. (correct answer)
  3. Perform hand hygiene, then remove gloves, then remove mask.
  4. Remove gloves, perform hand hygiene, then remove mask.
Explanation: The correct answer is B. According to CDC guidelines, gloves should be removed first as they are considered the most contaminated. The mask is removed next. Hand hygiene is performed after all PPE has been removed. Answer A has an incorrect sequence. Answer C is incorrect because hand hygiene is performed after PPE removal, not before. Answer D adds an unnecessary hand hygiene step in the middle of the process.

Question 10

An OTR working in a skilled nursing facility is about to begin a feeding session with a resident who has dysphagia. The therapist notes a small, open area on their own hand.

According to universal precautions, what is the MINIMUM PPE the therapist must wear for this session?

  1. Gloves only. (correct answer)
  2. A gown and gloves.
  3. A mask with a face shield.
  4. No PPE is required if hand hygiene is performed.
Explanation: The correct answer is A. Universal precautions dictate that gloves must be worn when there is potential for contact with blood, body fluids, mucous membranes, or non-intact skin. A feeding session involves potential contact with saliva. Furthermore, the therapist's non-intact skin provides a portal of entry for microorganisms, making gloves essential for both client and therapist protection. A gown (B) or face shield (C) would only be required if there is an anticipated risk of splashing of body fluids, which is not typical for a standard feeding session. Because the therapist has broken skin and will be near the client's mucous membranes, gloves are not optional (D).

Question 11

An OTR in a school setting is working with a child who has been diagnosed with head lice (pediculosis). They have been using a weighted vest and compression garment during therapy sessions.

What is the appropriate infection control procedure for the weighted vest and compression garment after the session?

  1. Wipe the items with a disinfectant cloth and allow to air dry.
  2. Place the items in a sealed plastic bag for 48 hours to kill the lice.
  3. Wash the items in hot water and dry on a high heat setting. (correct answer)
  4. Spray the items with an aerosol insecticide and store them in the therapy closet.
Explanation: The correct answer is C. The CDC recommends that items that have been in contact with a person with head lice, such as clothing and linens, should be machine washed in hot water (130°F or 55°C) and dried on a high heat setting to kill both lice and their nits. Wiping with a disinfectant (A) is not effective against lice. Sealing in a bag (B) may work, but it typically requires up to two weeks, not 48 hours, and washing is more immediate and effective. Using an insecticide (D) is not recommended for fabric items and introduces unnecessary chemicals into the therapy environment.

Question 12

An occupational therapist is using a pulse oximeter that is shared among clients in a cardiac rehabilitation unit.

What is the minimum infection control requirement for this piece of equipment between each client use?

  1. Clean it with a new alcohol prep pad.
  2. Wash it with soap and water and dry it thoroughly.
  3. Disinfect it with a hospital-grade, EPA-registered disinfectant wipe. (correct answer)
  4. Place a disposable plastic barrier over the probe for each client.
Explanation: The correct answer is C. A pulse oximeter is considered non-critical medical equipment that comes into contact with intact skin. According to CDC guidelines, such equipment requires cleaning followed by low-level disinfection between clients. A hospital-grade, EPA-registered disinfectant is the appropriate agent. An alcohol prep pad (A) may not be sufficient to kill all relevant pathogens. Washing with soap and water (B) is cleaning, but not disinfecting. A plastic barrier (D) is not a standard or effective method for this type of device and may interfere with its reading.

Question 13

An OTR is performing wound care and a dressing change on a client's hand in an outpatient clinic. The therapist has gathered all supplies and has donned sterile gloves.

Which action by the therapist would constitute a break in the sterile field?

  1. Keeping gloved hands above waist level.
  2. Touching the outside wrapper of a sterile gauze package.
  3. Pouring sterile saline into a basin on the sterile field.
  4. Adjusting their eyeglasses with a gloved hand. (correct answer)
Explanation: The correct answer is D. Adjusting eyeglasses requires touching a non-sterile surface, which contaminates the sterile gloves and breaks the sterile field. Keeping hands above the waist (A) is correct sterile procedure. Touching the outside of a sterile package (B) does not break sterility as long as the sterile contents are not contaminated. Pouring sterile solution (C) is a standard technique for adding liquids to a sterile field.

Question 14

An occupational therapy department in a hospital is planning its response to a potential influenza outbreak. Management is reinforcing the principles of Standard Precautions with all staff.

Which policy BEST reflects the application of Standard Precautions for all client interactions?

  1. Wear a mask and gown for any client who has a cough.
  2. Wear gloves for all physical contact with every client.
  3. Perform hand hygiene before and after every client contact. (correct answer)
  4. Place all clients with respiratory symptoms in private rooms.
Explanation: The correct answer is C. Hand hygiene is the single most important component of Standard Precautions and is required before and after every single client contact, regardless of their diagnosis or perceived infection risk. Wearing a mask and gown for any cough (A) is an element of Droplet Precautions, not Standard Precautions for all. Wearing gloves for all contact (B) is not necessary; gloves are worn based on anticipated contact with body fluids or non-intact skin. Placing clients in private rooms (D) is a transmission-based precaution, not a standard one for all clients.

Question 15

An OTR working in a long-term care facility is notified that a resident they worked with in the morning has just been diagnosed with scabies.

What is the MOST appropriate course of action for the OTR?

  1. Immediately begin prophylactic treatment for scabies.
  2. Notify their supervisor and follow the facility's exposure protocol. (correct answer)
  3. Wear gloves for the remainder of the day when working with all residents.
  4. Continue working as usual since the exposure has already occurred.
Explanation: The correct answer is B. Each facility has specific policies and procedures for exposure to communicable diseases like scabies. The OTR must report the exposure to their supervisor and occupational health department to receive guidance on post-exposure management, which may include monitoring for symptoms or prophylactic treatment. Self-treating (A) is inappropriate without medical consultation. Wearing gloves now (C) does not address the previous exposure. Continuing as usual (D) ignores the potential for the therapist to become infested and spread it to other residents.

Question 16

An occupational therapist is planning a cooking group in a mental health clubhouse setting. The activity involves preparing a communal fruit salad. One of the participants has a bandage on their finger covering a small cut.

To ensure food safety and infection control, what is the MOST appropriate instruction for this participant?

  1. Assign the participant to a non-food-related task, such as setting the table.
  2. Have the participant wash their hands thoroughly before starting.
  3. Instruct the participant to wear a disposable glove over the bandaged hand. (correct answer)
  4. Allow the participant to handle only fruits with peels, such as bananas.
Explanation: The correct answer is C. A cut on the hand presents a risk of transmitting bacteria (like Staphylococcus) to the food and also poses a risk of the wound becoming contaminated. The standard food safety procedure is to cover the cut with a bandage and then wear a single-use glove over it, creating a double barrier. Assigning a non-food task (A) is a safe alternative but may be unnecessarily restrictive if the proper barrier can be used. Hand washing alone (B) is insufficient as it does not protect the wound or the food. Handling only certain fruits (D) does not eliminate the risk of cross-contamination.

Question 17

An OTR is reviewing the chart of a new client on an inpatient unit and sees a notation for 'Neutropenic Precautions'. The therapist is planning to conduct a bedside evaluation.

The PRIMARY goal of Neutropenic Precautions is to:

  1. protect the therapist from an infectious client.
  2. protect the client from pathogens in the environment. (correct answer)
  3. prevent the spread of infection to other clients on the unit.
  4. contain pathogens spread through airborne routes.
Explanation: The correct answer is B. Neutropenic Precautions, also known as protective isolation, are used for clients who are severely immunocompromised (e.g., from chemotherapy). The goal is to protect the client from infection by minimizing their exposure to pathogens from staff, visitors, and the environment. This is the reverse of standard, contact, droplet, or airborne precautions, which aim to protect others from the client (A, C, D). The therapist will need to follow strict hand hygiene, may need to wear a mask, and should not bring potentially contaminated items into the room.

Question 18

An occupational therapist in an inpatient rehabilitation unit is working with a client on lower body dressing. The client has a draining wound on their lower leg that is covered with a dressing, but some light drainage has seeped through and contacted the therapy mat.

After the client has left the therapy gym, what is the MOST appropriate sequence of actions for the OTR to take?

  1. Wipe the mat with a hospital-grade disinfectant, perform hand hygiene, and document the incident.
  2. Perform hand hygiene, put on gloves, clean the visible soil, then disinfect the area. (correct answer)
  3. Place a 'wet floor' sign, cover the spot with a towel, and notify environmental services.
  4. Put on gloves, spray disinfectant directly on the spot, and wipe it clean immediately.
Explanation: The correct answer is B. The proper procedure is to first perform hand hygiene and don appropriate PPE (gloves). Then, the surface must be cleaned of visible organic material (the drainage) before it can be effectively disinfected. Disinfection is the final step. Option A omits the crucial step of cleaning before disinfecting. Option C inappropriately delegates a task that is the therapist's responsibility and leaves a contaminated surface accessible. Option D is incorrect because the surface should be cleaned of gross soil before the disinfectant is applied to ensure the disinfectant can work effectively.

Question 19

An occupational therapist is leading a group therapy session on energy conservation for clients with various chronic conditions in an outpatient rehabilitation clinic. One client arrives appearing visibly ill, frequently coughing into their hands, and reporting a fever.

What is the therapist's MOST appropriate immediate action to manage infection risk for the group?

  1. Ask the client to move to a seat at least six feet away from others.
  2. Provide the client with a surgical mask and hand sanitizer and seat them in a separate area. (correct answer)
  3. Cancel the group session and reschedule all participants for a later date.
  4. Continue the session but provide hand sanitizer to all participants at the end.
Explanation: The correct answer is B. This action implements respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette, which are key components of standard precautions. Providing a mask contains respiratory secretions, and hand sanitizer addresses hand contamination. Seating them separately minimizes exposure to others. This allows the therapist to address the client's needs while protecting the other group members. Simply moving the client (A) is insufficient without source control (a mask). Canceling the session (C) may be an overreaction and disrupts care for all clients. Providing sanitizer only at the end (D) does not mitigate the risk of transmission during the session.

Question 20

An occupational therapy student is on a fieldwork rotation in an acute care setting. The student is observed donning PPE to enter the room of a patient on Contact and Droplet Precautions. The student dons a gown, then a mask, then performs hand hygiene, and finally dons gloves.

Which part of the student's donning sequence is incorrect?

  1. The mask was put on after the gown.
  2. The gloves were put on last.
  3. Hand hygiene was performed after putting on the mask. (correct answer)
  4. The gown was put on first.
Explanation: The correct answer is C. The correct CDC sequence for donning PPE is: 1) Gown, 2) Mask/Respirator, 3) Goggles/Face Shield, 4) Gloves. Hand hygiene should be performed before starting the donning process. Performing hand hygiene in the middle of the sequence is incorrect and unnecessary. The gown should be first (D), the mask second (A), and the gloves last, pulled over the cuffs of the gown (B), so those parts of the sequence were correct.