The infection preventionist (IP) receives a call from a nurse who is scheduling a patient for surgery at her ambulatory surgery center. The nurse tells the IP that the patient is colonized with methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Which of the following best describes colonization?

What type of respiratory protection (mask) is recommended for immune and nonimmune healthcare personnel when caring for a patient with smallpox?

An outbreak of aspergillosis is suspected after several oncology patients are identified with positive cultures. The IP suspects a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) malfunction and begins an outbreak investigation. The IP has been asked to make recommendations for environmental cultures. All of the following needs to be considered except:

The U.S. Phamacopoeia (USP) recommends that multidose vials be disposed of:

The policy for therapy animals in healthcare facilities should include all of the following except:

An IP has been asked to provide infection prevention consultation to a long-term care facility (LTCF). As a part of this consultation, she checks to make sure which of the following program components are in place:

1) Decolonizing residents with MRSA
2) Establishing an antimicrobial stewardship program
3) Implementing an annual influenza vaccination program
4) Collecting environmental cultures of high-touch areas

A hospital is beginning a major construction project. The IP has been asked to join the planning team to assist with the development of the Infection Control Risk Assessment (I RCA) for the project. What is the purpose of the ICRA?

An “antibiotic time out” occurs:

Of the following methods of disinfection and sterilization, which will kill all organisms, including all bacterial spores?
1) Pasteurization
2) Ortho-phthalaldehyde
3) Steam sterilization
4) Ethylene oxide

Hydrogen peroxide vapor (HPV) has been shown to be effective for decontamination of patient rooms and is known to kill spores and other microbes. Despite its benefits, there are some drawbacks to using HPV. Which of the following could be a major drawback to using HPV to clean patient rooms?

While making rounds in one of the Intensive Care Units, the IP observes a patient w ho has just been intubated and is on a ventilator. He notes that the patient is in a supine position. Which of the follow ing positions should he recommend to the nurse in order to be compliant with a pneumonia prevention bundle?

A patient with bacterial meningitis due to Neisseria meningitidis requires what t ype of Transmission-based Precautions?

18. Which federal agencies in the United States have published regulations pertaining to infect ion and medical
or regulated waste?
1) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
2) U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
3) U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
4) U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)

Exposure to contaminated healthcare waste does not necessarily result in infection. The following factors must be present for contaminated waste to be capable of causing infection:
1) Dose and host susceptibility
2) Portal of entry
3) Portal of exit
4) Presence and virulence of a pathogen

Which of the following statements is true regarding the storage of sterilized items in the Sterile Processing Department?
1) Sterilized items should be stored on a shelf with a solid bottom
2) Sterilized items should be stored in high traffic areas for easy access
3) Sterilized items should be stored in a room with positive air pressure
4) Sterilized items should be stored 8 to 10 inches from the floor

Which of the following situations present the greatest risk for the transmission of pathogens via healthcare personnel hands?
1) Unit secretary with artificial nails
2) Environmental services worker with unchipped nail polish
3) Nurse practitioner with artificial nails
4) Registered nurse (RN) w ith chipped nail polish

Which of the follow ing does not meet the requimments for an airborne isolation room?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), central venous catheters (CVCs) should be replaced:

The IP has been asked to join the Antimicrobial Stewardship Team at his facility. The IP reviews current recommendations and understands that effective strategies to curb antimicrobial resistance include all of the following except:

When coordinating an active surveillance culture (ASC) plan, the IP should incorporate all of the following recommendations from the CDC except: