Chapter 21: Safety

1. According to Webster’s definition, safety is the condition of being safe from:

A. Injury, harm, or loss
B. Accidents, mistakes, and stress
C. Disease, disability, or aging
D. Physical activity, work, and fatigue

2. Safety is considered which type of human need?

A. Developmental
B. Basic
C. Secondary
D. Optional

3. Nurses are responsible for attending to safety needs of which groups?

A. Clients only
B. Clients and physicians
C. Clients and healthcare workers (including themselves)
D. Families and communities only

4. Which organization publishes the National Patient Safety Goals each year?

A. ANA
B. The Joint Commission
C. CDC
D. OSHA

5. Which initiative focuses on preparing nurses with the knowledge and skills for quality and safety?

A. OSHA guidelines
B. QSEN (Quality and Safety Education for Nurses)
C. Healthy People 2030
D. CDC Core Measures

6. Which factor affects safety because infants and toddlers cannot recognize danger?

A. Lifestyle choices
B. Cognitive awareness
C. Age and developmental stage
D. Sensory-perceptual alterations

7. Which group is more adventurous and plays outdoors, increasing risk of injury?

A. Infants
B. Preschoolers
C. School-age children
D. Older adults

8. Which developmental group is at risk because of false confidence and risk-taking behaviors?

A. Adolescents
B. Adults
C. Preschoolers
D. Infants

9. Which developmental group is at increased risk due to loss of muscle strength, joint mobility, and slowing reflexes?

A. Adolescents
B. Middle adults
C. Older adults
D. School-age children

10. Carbon monoxide poisoning is caused by:

A. Exposure to pesticides
B. Burning fuel such as gas, oil, or wood
C. Inhaling asbestos dust
D. Improperly stored medicines

11. The treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning is:

A. Activated charcoal
B. Antibiotics
C. 100% humidified oxygen
D. CPR

12. Which prevention strategy reduces risk for scalds and burns?

A. Cutting food into small pieces
B. Installing carbon monoxide detectors
C. Turning pot handles toward the back of the stove
D. Removing scatter rugs

13. Which factor makes falls more prevalent in adults over 65 years?

A. Desire for independence
B. Slippery floors and stairs combined with decreased strength
C. Emotional state
D. Communication challenges

14. Which intervention helps prevent falls at home?

A. Wearing socks instead of shoes indoors
B. Keeping clothes loose and untidy
C. Installing grab bars and using proper lighting
D. Lowering toilet seats

15. Children ages 0–4 are at greatest risk for which type of injury?

A. Burns
B. Suffocation/drowning
C. Firearms injuries
D. Poisoning

16. Which prevention strategy reduces suffocation risk in young children?

A. Removing scatter rugs
B. Avoiding sunburns
C. Cutting food into small pieces
D. Wearing nonskid shoes

17. Which items are examples of take-home toxins?

A. Noise and soil pollution
B. Mercury, arsenic, lead, and asbestos
C. Carbon monoxide and charcoal
D. Plastic bags and cords

18. Firearm injury prevention includes which measure?

A. Keeping firearms in unlocked storage
B. Storing ammunition separately from firearms
C. Teaching only children about firearm use
D. Removing all toys from the home

19. The leading cause of community injuries from motor vehicles includes:

A. Wearing seatbelts
B. Distracted driving and alcohol use
C. Crossing at crosswalks
D. Driving in the rain

20. Foodborne pathogen prevention includes:

A. Using insect repellent
B. Proper cooking and storage of foods
C. Avoiding use of seatbelts
D. Using carbon monoxide detectors

21. Which prevention strategy reduces exposure to vector-borne pathogens?

A. Applying sunscreen
B. Using earplugs
C. Removing standing water
D. Installing smoke detectors

22. Which is an example of reducing pollution hazards?

A. Using environmentally safe products and recycling waste
B. Installing grab bars in bathrooms
C. Using seatbelts and car seats
D. Storing poisons out of reach

23. Which weather safety measure is recommended?

A. Leaving windows open during storms
B. Developing a disaster plan and shelter location
C. Wearing light clothing in winter storms
D. Keeping candles lit for comfort

24. “Never events” in healthcare are defined as:

A. Mistakes that could have been prevented
B. Rare diseases
C. Patient education goals
D. Accidental environmental hazards

25. Which process investigates the underlying cause of an adverse event?

A. QSEN
B. Root cause analysis
C. National Patient Safety Goals
D. SBAR communication

26. Which prevention measure reduces fall risk in healthcare facilities?

A. Nonskid shoes, client education, and fall risk assessments
B. Removing restraints
C. Installing air purifiers
D. Using mobile phones at bedside

27. A nurse reduces alarm fatigue by:

A. Ignoring frequent alarms
B. Turning off all alarms
C. Properly setting and responding to alarms
D. Using alarms only in the ICU

28. Which is a safety hazard specific to healthcare workers?

A. Suffocation
B. Needle-stick injuries
C. Stranger danger
D. Foodborne pathogens

29. Which prevention strategy reduces needlestick injuries?

A. Wearing nonskid shoes
B. Using proper sharps disposal containers
C. Reducing environmental noise
D. Turning pot handles inward

30. Which acronym describes supporting a culture of safety?

A. Writing SOAP notes
B. Reporting near misses and concerns to supervisors
C. Blaming the person responsible
D. Avoiding incident reports

31. Which general safety intervention is part of nursing care?

A. Assessing, educating, and reporting accidents
B. Performing root cause analysis
C. Installing smoke detectors
D. Using carpooling to reduce pollution

32. Which home intervention prevents firearm injuries?

A. Allowing children to handle firearms with supervision
B. Locked storage of firearms and separate ammunition
C. Using electrical cords safely
D. Keeping helmets near firearms

33. Which safety teaching for self-care addresses motor vehicle safety?

A. Using carpooling
B. Wearing seatbelts and avoiding distractions
C. Installing smoke detectors
D. Cutting food into small pieces

34. Which measure promotes safety when responding to fires in healthcare facilities?

A. Storing oxygen tanks near open flames
B. Knowing fire procedures and evacuation routes
C. Avoiding use of fire extinguishers
D. Turning off alarms

35. Which strategy promotes safety for healthcare workers against violence?

A. Ignoring aggressive behavior
B. Being aware of environment and maintaining safety awareness
C. Reducing infection exposure
D. Avoiding ergonomic practices