Infection control and safety

A patient with a common cold asks why the provider did not prescribe an antibiotic. Which fact explains this?

A lab report describes round bacteria growing in chains. Which group do these belong to?

A patient is treated for a yeast infection caused by Candida. What type of infectious agent is Candida?

In the chain of infection, what is the reservoir?

A patient with influenza coughs into the air of the waiting room. Which link in the chain of infection does the cough represent?

Vaccinating staff against hepatitis B breaks which link in the chain of infection?

Which is the body's first natural barrier against infection?

A pathogen spreads when one patient touches a contaminated doorknob and then another patient touches it. What is the doorknob?

Lyme disease spreads to people through the bite of an infected tick. What role does the tick play?

A patient with suspected active tuberculosis is in the exam room. Which protection does the medical assistant wear to enter?

A child with suspected pertussis (whooping cough) is roomed. Which transmission-based precautions apply?

A patient with diarrhea caused by Clostridioides difficile is seen in the office. Which precautions does the medical assistant use?

After taking a patient's blood pressure, the medical assistant's hands look clean. Which hand hygiene is appropriate?

When washing visibly soiled hands with soap and water, how long should the medical assistant lather and rub?

Which statement correctly compares medical asepsis with surgical asepsis?

Used instruments from a minor procedure will be autoclaved. What must happen first?

A blood pressure cuff touches only a patient's intact skin. What level of processing does it need between patients?

The autoclave tape on a wrapped pack has changed color after a cycle. What does this show?

A medical assistant is hired for a job that involves drawing blood. Under the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, what must the employer do about the hepatitis B vaccine?

How often must an employer review and update its exposure control plan under the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard?

Right after giving an injection, what should the medical assistant do with the needle?

The sharps container in the injection room has reached its fill line. What should the medical assistant do?

A medical assistant is stuck by a used needle. What should she do first?

A tube of blood breaks on the lab counter. After putting on gloves, what is the correct cleanup?

A staff member gets a cleaning chemical on her skin. Where can the medical assistant find first-aid steps for that chemical?

A chemical label shows a skull and crossbones pictogram. What hazard does it warn of?

A fire starts in an exam room where a patient is resting. Using RACE, what does the medical assistant do first?

A medical assistant puts out a small trash-can fire with an extinguisher, following PASS. Where is the nozzle aimed?

A medical assistant must lift a box of supplies from the floor. Which body mechanics are correct?

A patient slips in the hallway but says she is not hurt. How should the medical assistant complete the incident report?