Counting the number of bacteria present in a sample can be useful for differentiating between colonization and significant infection in which specimen?
Urine
How many patients are estimated to die of Health-care associated infection every year?
5,000
What IS NOT a part of the standard precautions that should be used for infection prevention in a hospital setting?
Regular change of uniform
Which items of personal protective equipment (PPE) are required when caring for a patient infected with Clostridium difficile?
Aprons and gloves
What structure is unique to gram negative bacteria?
Outer membrane
What percentage of patients are likely to acquire an infection while in hospital?
10%
Which bacterial pathogen is the main cause of antibiotic associated diarrhoea?
Clostridium difficile
What are the structural features of E. coli and neisseria meningitidis?
E. coli is rod shaped, neisseria meningitidis is coccus shaped
Which part of the body is most heavily colonized by bacteria?
GI tract
What is the most appropriate method to decontaminate hands when caring for patients suffering Clostridium difficile infection?
Wash hands with soap and water after patient contact
The herpes virus is NOT…
Small and round
What cell type is mainly depleted during HIV/AIDS?
CD4+ T-Lymphocytes
Which antibiotic act on the bacterial cell wall?
Vancomycin
Which specimen should be collected using a swab?
Urethral discharge
Which virus is associated with causing cancer?
Epstein Barr Virus
What is the MAIN route of spread for hepatitis A virus?
Faecal/oral
Which organism is commonly associated with meningitis in young babies (one week old)?
Group B streptococcus
What is the leading cause of community acquired pneumonia?
Streptococcus pneumonia
What virus family does the mumps virus belong to?
Paramyoxoviruses
Which enteric organism is associated with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)?
E. coli
Name a sample that needs to be taken from a patient with suspected Shigella infection
Faecal
Name a sample that has to be taken from an elderly patient from a care home being admitted for a hip replacement
Nasal swab
Name a sample that has to be taken from a patient who has been on long term antibiotics and presents with diarrhoea
Faecal
Name a sample that has to be taken from a 22 yr old student with suspected meningitis
Cerebrospinal fluid
Name a sample that has to be taken from a hospitalized female patient who develops pyelonephritis
Clean catch urine
Which organism is the leading cause of tonsillitis?
Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus)
Which organism is the main cause of impetigo?
Staphylococcus aureus
Which organism is a common cause of medical device related infection?
Staphylococcus epidermidis
Which organism is one of the two most important causes of bacterial meningitis?
Steptococcus pneumoniae
What condition causes urgency, pain and frequency associated with urination, blood in the urine and lower back pain?
Pyelonephritis
What condition causes sudden onset of development of painful, red generalised area of skin that is hot and tender?
Cellulitis
What condition causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea?
Salmonella enterica infection
What condition causes purulent sputum, shortness of breath, cyanosis, chest pain and fever?
Pneumonia
What condition causes fever, abdominal cramps and bloody diarrhoea that is full of mucous?
Bacillary dysentery
An elderly patient in your care has been bedridden for three weeks and has developed pressure sores. These are now red and painful. What car pathway would you take?
Admit to general medical ward, initiate use of personal protective equipment (PPE), take a wound swab
A baby arrives on your neonatal care unit presenting with fever, drowsiness and is very irritable. The mother is positive for group B streptococcus. What care pathway would you take?
Initiate use of personal protective equipment (PPE), take a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample
An elderly patient arrives who has faecal incontinence and complains of pain that is limited to the bladder region. What care pathway would you take?
Admit to general medical ward, initiate use of personal protective equipment (PPE), take a urine sample
An elderly patient in your care had emergency heart surgery and the wound is red, swollen and painful with a purulent exudate visible. The patient has been admitted to hospital four times in the last six months and has been taking antibiotics for a chest infection. What care pathway would you take?
Isolate patient in a side room, initiate use of personal protective equipment (PPE), take a blood sample and nasal swab, inform the Infection Prevention and Control Team
- An elderly homeless man has been bought in with chest pain, fever and a high respiratory rate. He has a productive cough and his lips are a little blue. What care pathway would you take?
Admit to general medical ward, take blood and sputum samples, inform the Ward Sister
When making up disinfectants by adding water, after how long should the solution made be thrown away?
24 hours
Name the two most common causes of urinary tract infection
Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Escherichia coli
What IS NOT part of the standard precautions that should be used for infection prevention in a hospital setting?
Prophylactic antibiotics
Which antibiotic acts on the bacterial cell walls?
Penicillin
Items in contact with intact mucous membranes are considered, in terms of decontamination risks, to be
Medium risk
In which infection can cohort nursing not be undertaken?
Pulmonary TB
What proportion of health-care associated infections could be prevented by the use of good practice?
15-35
In which situations can alcohol hand rub be used?
Before aseptic procedures where hands are visibly clean
Which items of personal protective equipment (PPE) are required when caring for a patient infected with MRSA?
Apron and gloves
Escherichia coli…
Is a gram negative rod-shaped organism
What is NOT a link in the chain of infection?
Method of decontamination
What is the most appropriate method to decontaminate physically soiled hands?
Wash hands with soap and water and then use an alcohol hand gel
Which viral infection is associated with life-long persistence in the host?
Herpes simplex virus type 1
What sample should be taken from a patient with a case of suspected shigella infection?
Faecal sample
Name an organism associated with resistance to vancomycin
Enterococcus faecalis
What method of hand decontamination would be recommended after caring for a patient with Clostridium difficile?
Liquid soap and water
What method of hand decontamination would be recommended during an aseptic wound dressing after opening the sterile equipment?
Alcohol hand rub
What method of hand decontamination would be recommended after removing gloves following catheter insertion?
Liquid soap and water
What method of hand decontamination would be recommended before a surgical procedure as scrub nurse?
2 minute surgical scrub
What method of hand decontamination would be recommended after changing soiled bed linen?
Liquid soap and water
What PPE should be used when obtaining a blood sample from an MRSA positive patient?
Disposable plastic apron and non-sterile gloves
What PPE should be used when inserting a urinary catheter?
Disposable plastic apron and sterile gloves
What PPE should be used when using disinfectants?
Disposable plastic apron and non-sterile gloves
What PPE should be used when caring for a patient with suspected multi-drug resistant pulmonary TB?
Non-sterile gloves, disposable plastic apron and face mask
What PPE should be used when cleaning up a blood spill?
Disposable plastic apron and non-sterile gloves
Streptococcus pyogenes…
Is gram positive and forms chains of cocci
What PPE should be used when providingairway managementto a patient admitted with meningococcal meningitis?
Gloves, disposable plastic apron, face mask and goggles/face shield