Infection control is one of the highest-yield topics on the CNA exam. A small number of rules show up repeatedly, and getting them right lifts your score across both the written and clinical tests.
#Hand hygiene: the non-negotiable steps
Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, covering all surfaces including between fingers and under nails. Use an alcohol-based hand rub only when hands are not visibly soiled. Always wash after removing gloves.
#PPE order
- Put on: gown, mask, goggles/face shield, gloves.
- Remove: gloves, goggles/face shield, gown, mask — and wash hands last.
The exam loves to ask which item comes off first. The answer is always gloves.
#Standard vs. transmission-based precautions
Standard precautions apply to every resident, every time. Transmission-based precautions — contact, droplet, airborne — add extra steps based on the infection. Remember the basics: private room for airborne, mask within three feet for droplet, gown and gloves for contact.
#Sharps and biohazard waste
Never recap a used needle. Dispose of sharps immediately in a puncture-resistant container. Place items soaked with blood or body fluids in a biohazard bag.