Long Learning and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) are the processes
by which professionals, such as nurses, develop and improve their practice.
are many ways to address CPD: formally, through attending courses, study days
and workshops; or informally, through private study and reflection. Reading
articles in professional journals is a good way of keeping up-to-date with what
is going on in the field of practice, but reflecting and identifying what you
have learnt is not always easy. These questions are designed to help you to
identify what you have learnt from studying the article. They will also help
you to clarify what you can apply to practice, what you did not understand and
what you need to explore further.
What is an important strategy for decreasing infection transmission?
c) Adequate disposal
d) Health education
Which country had an influenza outbreak in1993with a 14 per cent increase in
Which year did the questionnaire ask for information of infectious illnesses?
What was the size of the sample?
What was the percentage of the least common ‘other illnesses’
What age were the least sick?
What reasons were given for not washing hands?
Lazy &/or too busy
b) Lazy &/or not necessary
c) Too busy &/or not necessary
d) No facilities &/or too busy
Was the staff knowledge of infection transmission
Has no effect on infection rates
b) Increases susceptibility to respiratory tract disease
c) Decreases susceptibility to respiratory tract disease
d) Has a marked effect on infection rates
What was the average number of days lost due to respiratory infections at this
b) 2 days
c) 3 days
b) Carry out a literature search on "infection control" and
"hand washing". Two articles that you might find useful and can be
downloaded from the web site (www.nursing-standard.co.uk) are
"Handwashing" Nursing Standard 1998 9 Sept 12 (51) p35-42 and
"Infection Control" by D May, Nursing Standard 2000 Mar 29 14(28) p51-7 2. c); 3. c); 4. d);
5. c); 6. d) Discuss these results with your colleagues and consider what
other factors may be responsible for the result. 7. a); 8. b)
Understanding the principles of infection control are most important, refresh
your knowledge on the chain of transmission of infection. 9. b); 10. c)