FREE STUDY · 4.1 MIN LESSON
Infection Control & PPE
Read the lesson, then use the free narrated cards to check what you remember. Knowledge practice does not replace approved training, supervised practice or a competency assessment. Follow the rules for your role, state and workplace.
Infection Control & PPE
- Review the explanation, pause to recall, then practise the cards.
- Written knowledge study does not replace approved hands-on training.
Understand the care plan
- Perform hand hygiene before resident contact and after care, glove removal and relevant exposure. Use the facility-approved method: alcohol-based hand sanitizer is preferred in most clinical situations when hands are not visibly soiled; soap and water is required in specified situations. Gloves do not replace hand hygiene.
- 1. Wet hands. 2. Apply soap. 3. Rub with friction for AT LEAST 20 seconds — cover all surfaces: palms, between fingers, under nails, fingertips. 4. Rinse with fingertips pointing DOWN. 5. Dry with a paper towel. 6. Turn OFF the faucet with the paper towel, not bare hands.
Apply the safety checks
- Use soap and water when hands are visibly soiled, before eating and after using the restroom. Follow facility infection-control instructions for outbreaks; CDC encourages soap-and-water washing after caring for suspected or confirmed C. difficile during outbreaks. Alcohol does not reliably inactivate spores, but routine C. difficile care is not a universal ban on alcohol hand sanitizer. Use the required gown and gloves.
- Standard precautions treat ALL blood and body fluids (except sweat) as potentially infectious. They apply to EVERY resident, regardless of diagnosis. Wear gloves any time you may contact blood, body fluids, broken skin, or mucous membranes.
Respond and report
- When a gown, mask or respirator, eye protection and gloves are all required, one CDC donning sequence is gown, mask or respirator, goggles or face shield, then gloves. PPE selection depends on anticipated exposure and precautions; not every room needs every item.
- One CDC removal sequence is gloves, eye protection, gown, then mask or respirator. Avoid touching contaminated surfaces and clean hands after removal, and during removal if hands become contaminated. Follow the posted method: remove PPE before leaving the care area, except a respirator used for airborne precautions is removed after leaving and closing the door.
Pause and recall
What is the single most important way to prevent infections in a long-term care facility?
What are the exact steps for correct handwashing with soap and water?
Check your answers
- Perform hand hygiene before resident contact and after care, glove removal and relevant exposure. Use the facility-approved method: alcohol-based hand sanitizer is preferred in most clinical situations when hands are not visibly soiled; soap and water is required in specified situations. Gloves do not replace hand hygiene.
- 1. Wet hands. 2. Apply soap. 3. Rub with friction for AT LEAST 20 seconds — cover all surfaces: palms, between fingers, under nails, fingertips. 4. Rinse with fingertips pointing DOWN. 5. Dry with a paper towel. 6. Turn OFF the faucet with the paper towel, not bare hands.