Understanding Nosocomial Infections Quiz

What is the definition of a nosocomial infection?

• An infection acquired from contaminated food

• An infection that a patient acquires during the course of receiving treatment for another condition in a healthcare setting

• An infection caused by viruses only

• An infection that occurs only in the community

Answer explanation

A nosocomial infection is specifically an infection that a patient acquires while receiving treatment for another condition in a healthcare setting, distinguishing it from community-acquired infections and other sources.

Which of the following is a common cause of nosocomial infections?

• Poor hand hygiene by healthcare workers

• Eating undercooked meat at home

• Drinking contaminated water from a river

• Exposure to sunlight

Answer explanation

Poor hand hygiene by healthcare workers is a leading cause of nosocomial infections, as it allows pathogens to spread within healthcare settings, increasing the risk of infection for patients.

Which of the following bacteria is most commonly responsible for nosocomial infections?

• Escherichia coli

• Streptococcus pyogenes

• Mycobacterium tuberculosis

• Borrelia burgdorferi

Answer explanation

Escherichia coli is the most common cause of nosocomial infections, often due to its prevalence in healthcare settings and its ability to cause urinary tract infections and bloodstream infections.

What is the main difference between hospital-acquired and community-acquired infections?

• Hospital-acquired infections occur in healthcare settings, while community-acquired infections develop outside the hospital

• Hospital-acquired infections are always viral, while community-acquired are bacterial

• Community-acquired infections are more severe than hospital-acquired

• Hospital-acquired infections only affect children

Answer explanation

The correct choice highlights that hospital-acquired infections occur in healthcare settings, while community-acquired infections develop outside the hospital, distinguishing their origins.

Which of the following is NOT a transmission route for infection?

• Droplet transmission

• Airborne transmission

• Vector-borne transmission

• Magnetic transmission

Answer explanation

Magnetic transmission is not a recognized route for infection. In contrast, droplet, airborne, and vector-borne transmissions are established methods through which infections can spread.

Which infection control procedure is designed to remove environmental pathogens?

• Eliminate the sources of infectious agents

• Increase patient exposure to pathogens

• Reduce the use of disinfectants

• Encourage sharing of medical equipment

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'Eliminate the sources of infectious agents', is designed to remove environmental pathogens, thereby reducing the risk of infection. The other options do not effectively control or eliminate pathogens.

Match the following transmission routes with an example of an illness or bacteria: 1. Droplet transmission 2. Airborne transmission 3. Vector-borne transmission 4. Contact transmission

• 1. Influenza, 2. Tuberculosis, 3. Malaria, 4. MRSA

• 1. Malaria, 2. MRSA, 3. Tuberculosis, 4. Influenza

• 1. Tuberculosis, 2. Malaria, 3. MRSA, 4. Influenza

• 1. MRSA, 2. Influenza, 3. Tuberculosis, 4. Malaria

Answer explanation

Influenza is spread through droplet transmission, tuberculosis via airborne transmission, malaria through vector-borne transmission (mosquitoes), and MRSA through contact transmission.

Which of the following best describes a procedure to create barriers to the transmission of infectious agents?

• Using personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and masks

• Allowing unrestricted visitor access

• Sharing medical instruments between patients

• Avoiding handwashing

Answer explanation

Using personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves and masks effectively creates barriers to prevent the transmission of infectious agents, unlike the other options which increase risk.

A patient develops an infection two days after being admitted to the hospital for surgery. Using your knowledge of infection types, classify this infection and justify your answer.

• Community-acquired infection, because it developed after admission

• Nosocomial infection, because it was acquired during hospital treatment

• Vector-borne infection, because it happened in a hospital

• Airborne infection, because it was not present before admission

Answer explanation

The correct classification is a nosocomial infection, as it developed after the patient was admitted to the hospital for surgery, indicating it was acquired during hospital treatment.

A hospital is experiencing an increase in MRSA cases. As an infection control officer, what strategic steps would you recommend to monitor and control the spread of this pathogen? Select the best answer.

• Monitor infection rates, enforce hand hygiene, and isolate infected patients

• Ignore the cases and hope they decrease

• Only treat patients after symptoms appear

• Allow unrestricted movement of infected patients

Answer explanation

The correct choice emphasizes monitoring infection rates, enforcing hand hygiene, and isolating infected patients, which are essential strategies to control MRSA spread, unlike the other options that neglect proper infection control.