Certified Healthcare Safety Professional (CHSP) Practice Exam

What is a nosocomial infection?

1. An infection acquired in a community setting

2. An infection acquired during hospitalization

3. An infection that is genetically inherited

4. An infection resulting from surgery

The correct answer is: An infection acquired during hospitalization

A nosocomial infection refers specifically to an infection that is acquired during a hospital stay or while receiving treatment in a healthcare facility. This type of infection typically arises after admission and can occur due to various factors related to the healthcare environment, including exposure to pathogens, invasive procedures, or compromised patient immunity. Understanding the context of nosocomial infections is crucial for healthcare professionals because they can lead to significant complications, increased healthcare costs, longer hospital stays, and even increased mortality rates. Effective infection control measures are necessary to prevent these types of infections, highlighting the importance of maintaining sanitary conditions and monitoring patients closely. Other types of infections, such as those acquired in community settings or those resulting from surgical procedures, do not fall under the definition of nosocomial infections, as they originate outside the healthcare environment. This distinction is vital for public health strategies and for devising targeted interventions to reduce the incidence of these infections in hospitals.