Internertional Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS) Advanced Officer Certification Practice Exam

Which of the following are methods of infection transmission in patient interactions?

1. Fecal, Waterborne, Airborne

2. Airborne, Contact, Droplet

3. Droplet, Foodborne, Direct contact

4. Surface contact, Airborne, Vector-borne

The correct answer is: Airborne, Contact, Droplet

The answer is rooted in the classification of infection transmission methods, particularly in healthcare settings. Airborne, contact, and droplet transmission are three key modes through which infections can spread among patients or from healthcare workers to patients. Airborne transmission involves infectious agents that remain suspended in the air and can be inhaled by individuals far away from the source, often necessitating specific protective measures in the healthcare environment, like the use of N95 respirators. Contact transmission refers to the direct or indirect transmission of pathogens through skin-to-skin contact or via contaminated surfaces or objects. Droplet transmission occurs when infectious droplets are expelled when a person talks, coughs, or sneezes, reaching another person within a short distance, typically less than six feet. The choice of airborne, contact, and droplet encapsulates the primary and most relevant modes of transmission recognized in infection control protocols within healthcare facilities. This understanding is essential for implementing appropriate preventive measures to reduce the risk of infection spread in patient interactions. In contrast, the other options include methods that are less applicable or are specific to different transmission dynamics that may not fully align with typical scenarios encountered in healthcare settings. For instance, while fecal and waterborne are valid modes of transmission, they do not