Federal Nursing Home Administrator Practice Exam

What does the term "nosocomial" refer to?

1. Infection occurring at home

2. Healthcare acquired infection

3. Infection occurring inside the facility

4. Infection acquired from a community source

The correct answer is: Infection occurring inside the facility

The term "nosocomial" specifically refers to infections that are acquired in a healthcare setting, such as hospitals or nursing homes. This encompasses any infections that develop in patients while they are receiving treatment for other conditions, highlighting that these infections are not present at the time of admission but are acquired during the course of their stay. Such infections can result from a variety of factors, including unsterile instruments, lack of hand hygiene, or inadequate infection control measures. In contrast, infections occurring at home or acquired from community sources do not fall under the definition of "nosocomial," as they originate outside the healthcare facility. Therefore, the understanding of "nosocomial" is crucial in developing effective infection control and prevention strategies within healthcare environments to protect patient safety and promote health outcomes.