Question 1

What is the chain of infection and how do you break it?

Accepted Answer

The chain of infection has six links: infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host. To break it, you can eliminate the agent (e.g., cleaning), reduce the reservoir (e.g., ventilation), block portals of exit (e.g., covering mouth when coughing), interrupt transmission (e.g., hand hygiene), protect portals of entry (e.g., wearing gloves), and protect the host (e.g., vaccination).

Question 2

When should I use soap and water instead of hand sanitiser?

Accepted Answer

Use soap and water when hands are visibly dirty, after using the toilet, when caring for someone with diarrhoea or vomiting (e.g., norovirus), and after handling raw meat. Alcohol-based hand rub is suitable for routine hand hygiene when hands are not visibly soiled and for most clinical situations, except when dealing with spore-forming bacteria like C. difficile.

Question 3

What are the different types of waste in healthcare and how should they be disposed of?

Accepted Answer

Healthcare waste is categorised into domestic (non-infectious, e.g., paper), clinical (infectious, e.g., dressings, gloves), and sharps (needles, scalpels). Clinical waste goes into yellow bags, sharps into yellow sharps bins, and domestic waste into black bags. All must be labelled and disposed of according to local policy and the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Question 4

Do I need to wear gloves when giving someone a bed bath?

Accepted Answer

Yes, gloves should be worn when there is a risk of exposure to blood, body fluids, or non-intact skin. For a bed bath, if the patient has intact skin and no body fluids are involved, gloves may not be necessary, but it's good practice to wear them for hygiene and dignity. Always follow your workplace's policy and perform hand hygiene before and after.

Question 5

What is the difference between cleaning, disinfection, and sterilisation?

Accepted Answer

Cleaning removes dirt and some germs using soap and water; it is the first step before disinfection or sterilisation. Disinfection kills most germs but not spores (e.g., using bleach or alcohol wipes). Sterilisation kills all microorganisms including spores (e.g., using an autoclave). In health and social care, cleaning is routine, disinfection is for surfaces and equipment, and sterilisation is for surgical instruments.

Question 6

Why is hand hygiene so important in infection control?

Accepted Answer

Hands are the most common way germs are transferred between people and surfaces. Proper hand hygiene removes or kills microorganisms, preventing them from entering the body or spreading to others. The World Health Organization's '5 Moments for Hand Hygiene' (before touching a patient, before clean/aseptic procedure, after body fluid exposure risk, after touching a patient, after touching patient surroundings) provides a framework to reduce healthcare-associated infections.

Ascentis Level 1 Award in Infection Control and Prevention

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Guidance

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Start

Key Terminology

Ready to learn?

Related Topics in ASCENTIS vocational Health & Social Care

Ascentis Level 1 Award in Health and Safety

Ascentis Level 1 Award in Healthy Living

Ascentis Level 2 Award in Healthy Living

Ascentis Entry 3 Award in Healthy Living for Well-Being and Mental Health