CNA Certification (Written Exam)Infection Control and SafetyMedium
A resident is on contact precautions for a wound infection. The nurse aide uses a blood pressure cuff during care. What is the correct infection control practice for this equipment?
- ADedicate the cuff to this resident's room until precautions are discontinued
- BDisinfect the cuff only once per week regardless of use
- CStore the cuff in the hallway supply cart between uses
- DUse the same cuff for other residents after wiping it with a dry cloth
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Dedicate the cuff to this resident's room until precautions are discontinued
Under contact precautions, equipment should be dedicated to a single resident whenever possible to prevent transmission of pathogens to other residents via shared items.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Weekly disinfection is insufficient for contact precaution equipment used daily.
- C. Storing shared equipment in a common cart increases contamination risk.
- D. A dry wipe does not disinfect; shared equipment risks cross-contamination.
Contact Precautions Equipment
Infection control practice requiring dedicated, resident-specific equipment for individuals on contact precautions to prevent pathogen transmission.
- Equipment stays in the resident's room
- If sharing is unavoidable, disinfect thoroughly between uses
- Reduces spread of organisms like MRSA or C. diff
Memory trick: One room, one cuff, keep the germs enough contained.