Oregon Certified Nursing Assistant State Practice Exam

When an NA wears gloves, which link in the chain of infection is broken?

1. A. Reservoir (place where the pathogen lives and grows)

2. B. Mode of transmission (a way for the disease to spread)

3. C. Susceptible host (person who is likely to get the disease)

4. D. Portal of entry (body opening that allows pathogens to enter)

The correct answer is: C. Susceptible host (person who is likely to get the disease)

Wearing gloves as a nursing assistant is primarily aimed at interrupting the transmission of pathogens. When gloves are worn, they create a barrier between the caregiver and the patient, thus preventing direct contact with any infectious materials. This action effectively breaks the mode of transmission link in the chain of infection. The mode of transmission refers to the way in which pathogens are spread from one person to another or from the environment to a person. Gloves prevent pathogens from spreading by ensuring that any potentially infectious material, such as blood or bodily fluids, does not come into direct contact with the skin of the healthcare worker, thereby reducing the chance of potential infection. While gloves can have an indirect effect on other links in the chain of infection, such as protecting a susceptible host from acquiring an infection from a contaminated source, they do not directly break the link involving the susceptible host. The correct understanding of glove use in this context highlights the importance of effective infection control in healthcare settings.