Quiz on a Reading Assignment

Directions: This quiz focuses on MRSA in the community and school settings. Students will read the information provided about MRSA in question and answer format via http://www.cdc.gov/Features/MRSAinSchools/, which is the CDC's web page about MRSA within schools. The purpose of this reading is that it further emphasizes the importance of quality personal hygiene, especially topics emphasized during class discussions, worksheets, and video-watching sessions. Additionally, the reading gives students a better understanding of the complexities the 'super bug' and how to prevent the contraction and/or spread of the bacteria. Students will take about 15 minutes to complete this multiple choice and short answer quiz. The quiz will be scored using a holistic scoring method where each question (of 10 questions total) is worth 1 point, with the potential for the student to earn a maximum of 10 points. These results will allow me, as a teacher, to see if students have, indeed, read the article. Through receiving the results of this quiz, I will be able to get an idea of what students do/do not know about personal hygiene and its relation to the development of MRSA.

Given that not all students may perform well, the results may show that, in upcoming classes, these topics need to be reviewed using new methods, including group discussions/work, more article readings, and graphic representations of the development of MRSA due to poor hygiene practices.

Quiz Directions: Circle the letter of the answer that is the best choice for the given statement or question.

1. MRSA infections may be effectively treated through which of the following methods?

a. The application of rubbing alcohol

b. Acupuncture

c. The drainage of pus from the infection

d. Taking tylenol, ibuprofen, or another common over-the-counter remedy

2. Being in or exposed to which one of the following settings makes it most likely for a MRSA infection to occur?

a. Living in a military barracks

b. Swimming underwater in a pool

c. Climbing a high mountain

d. Drinking alcohol while in sunlight

3. Most MRSA infections manifest with which one of the following physical side-effects?

a. Severe migraine headaches

b. Loss of hair

c. A series of sore throats

d. Painful pustules

4. Which one factor (from the "5 C's") is most commonly attributed to the contraction of a MRSA infection?

a. Cross-examination

b. Cutting boards

c. Conceptualization

d. Crowding

5. Protecting oneself from contracting MRSA can be best achieved through which method?

a. Getting a significant amount of sleep each night

b. Changing a bandage on an open wound of another person

c. Using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer

d. Taking vitamin supplements emphasizing Vitamin C

6. The sharing of which one of the following items could most likely lead to a MRSA infection?

a. Razors

b. Food

c. Toothpaste

d. Library books

7. The initial, outward physical signs of a MRSA infection most commonly occur in which one of the following areas of the human body?

a. Fingernails

b. Eyes

c. Inner Nostril

d. Groin

Short Answer

8. Other than your answer to number 5, explain two other methods you could recommend to a friend who, curiously, asks you, "How do I protect myself from a MRSA infection?".

9. Suppose that a school administration is recommending that your school be shut down for a couple days to do a thorough "disinfecting" due to a noted case of MRSA in one student. Using your knowledge of MRSA in schools, state whether you would support this decision and explain why or why not in 3 or 4 sentences.

10. A friend of yours is about to begin researching various aspects of MRSA to do a presentation. Knowing you discussed the topic extensively in health class, she asks if you know the most common community, city, or neighborhood sites (places or locations) for contracting MRSA. List three general locations and, for each location, explain to your friend why MRSA infection is more probable in that site than at other less risky sites.

After grading this quiz, it may become apparent that the next class may call for further review of personal hygiene and the relation of 'super bugs' like MRSA to poor hygiene. This review may be conducted briefly or extensively, depending on the results of the quiz for the class as a whole. Alternative forms of review or explanation may need to be explored including graphic representations of the spread of MRSA, small group work, and more assigned readings.