Hand Hygiene
What is the minimum number of seconds recommended for rubbing hands together when using alcohol-based sanitizer?
20–30 seconds
What does PPE stand for?
Personal Protective Equipment
What is a reservoir in the chain of infection?
Where the microorganism lives
Define medical asepsis.
“Clean technique”; reduces microorganisms
What type of precautions are used for C. diff patients?
Contact precautions + soap/water handwashing
List one situation when washing with SOAP AND WATER is required instead of sanitizer.
When hands are visibly soiled, after C. diff, after using restroom
Which item of PPE must be removed LAST to prevent contamination?
Gloves
Which link in the chain can hand hygiene interrupt?
Mode of transmission
What is the “1-inch border” rule in sterile fields?
Outer 1 inch is considered contaminated
Which type of mask is required for airborne precautions?
N95 / respirator
Why is friction the most important component of hand hygiene?
Removes microorganisms mechanically
Name one situation where gloves MUST be changed during a task.
After touching contaminated surfaces or switching from dirty to clean areas
Give one example of a portal of exit in healthcare.
Blood, wound drainage, respiratory droplets
Explain why talking over a sterile field is not allowed.
Droplets from speech contaminate the field
Give one example of a droplet-transmitted disease.
Flu, meningitis
A patient is on contact precautions. Before leaving the room, what must a PCT do related to hand hygiene, and why?
Perform hand hygiene before leaving; prevents spreading pathogens
Explain the difference between standard precautions and transmission-based precautions.
Standard is for ALL patients; transmission-based is for specific pathogens
Explain why immunocompromised patients are considered highly susceptible hosts.
Immune system cannot fight pathogens effectively
Describe how to correctly open a sterile package.
Open away, then sides, then toward you
Explain why negative-pressure rooms are used in airborne precautions.
Prevents airborne pathogens from escaping room
Explain how improper hand hygiene contributes to multi-drug resistant organism (MDRO) spread in facilities.
Transfers organisms between patients and surfaces
Describe the correct sequence for donning PPE (gown, mask, goggles, gloves).
Gown → Mask → Goggles → Gloves
A patient with TB coughs during transport. Identify WHICH link in the chain is involved and HOW it increases transmission risk.
Portal of exit; coughing releases infectious droplets
A sterile glove touches a non-sterile surface. What MUST the PCT do next, and why?
Remove glove and re-glove; sterility is broken
A PCT must transport a patient on droplet precautions. What steps must be taken before moving the patient?
Patient must wear a mask; notify receiving area