Hand Hygiene
What is the minimum recommended time for scrubbing hands with soap and water according to WHO guidelines?
20 seconds.
What type of isolation is required for a patient with airborne infectious diseases like tuberculosis?
Airborne isolation.
What is the difference between disinfection and sterilization?
Disinfection kills most pathogens but not necessarily all spores, while sterilization kills all forms of microbial life.
What is the recommended frequency for disinfecting high-touch surfaces in the ICU?
At least daily and after contamination.
True or False: Wearing gloves eliminates the need for hand hygiene.
False
Name one situation when hand hygiene must be performed in an ICU setting.
Before and after patient contact, after contact with contaminated surfaces, before aseptic procedures, etc.
What color-coded sign would typically be seen on the door of an isolation room for patients with MRSA?
Contact precautions (usually yellow or green signs, depending on hospital protocol).
Name one common high-level disinfectant used in ICUs.
Glutaraldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, or peracetic acid.
What should be done with reusable equipment that has been in contact with an infected patient?
It should be properly disinfected or sterilized before reuse.
What is one major route of infection transmission in healthcare settings?
Contact, droplet, or airborne.
What is the alcohol concentration range for hand sanitizers to be effective in killing most pathogens?
60% to 95% alcohol
True or False: Family members visiting patients in isolation rooms must always wear PPE.
True
What should be done if a piece of equipment is found to be improperly sterilized?
It should be re-sterilized immediately before use.
True or False: Single-use items like IV catheters can be reused after proper disinfection.
False
What is the name of the process by which healthcare workers ensure they are not spreading infections to immunocompromised patients?
Protective isolation or reverse isolation.
True or False: Hand sanitizers are just as effective as handwashing when hands are visibly dirty.
False.
Which type of isolation room has negative air pressure to prevent airborne contaminants from escaping?
Negative pressure isolation room.
How long should surfaces be left wet with disinfectant for effective decontamination?
The contact time varies by product but generally ranges from 1 to 10 minutes.
Name one method used to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in ICU patients.
Elevating the head of the bed, regular oral care, or closed suction systems.
Name two components of a good infection control program in an ICU.
Surveillance, education, auditing, hand hygiene programs, and environmental cleaning.
List the five moments of hand hygiene as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Before touching a patient, before a clean/aseptic procedure, after body fluid exposure, after touching a patient, and after touching patient surroundings.
What is the recommended PPE for nurses caring for patients in droplet isolation?
Mask, gloves, and gown.
Which process uses heat and pressure to sterilize surgical instruments in the ICU?
Autoclaving.
Which type of catheter is most commonly associated with hospital-acquired infections in ICU patients?
Central venous catheter (CVC).
True or False: Antibiotic stewardship programs in the ICU are crucial to reducing the incidence of infections.
True