NURS 121L-B Medical-Surgical Nursing: Infection Control & PPE
Application (2026 Update) WCU
1. Which of the following is the correct sequence for doffing Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) to minimize self-contamination?
A. Mask, Goggles, Gown, Gloves
B. Gown, Gloves, Mask, Goggles
C. Gloves, Goggles, Gown, Mask
D. Gloves, Mask, Goggles, Gown
Answer: C
Rationale: According to CDC guidelines, the most contaminated items (gloves) should be
removed first, followed by eyewear and gown, with the mask/respirator removed last after
leaving the room.
2. When caring for a patient with Clostridioides difficile (C. diff), which hand
hygiene method is mandatory after providing care?
A. Alcohol-based hand rub for 20 seconds
B. Rinsing with warm water only
C. Using a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe
D. Washing with antimicrobial soap and water
Answer: D
Rationale: C. diff spores are resistant to alcohol-based rubs; physical friction and soap are
required to mechanically remove spores from hands.
,3. A patient is admitted with suspected Pulmonary Tuberculosis. Which type of
room assignment is required?
A. Positive-pressure room with HEPA filtration
B. Standard semi-private room with a roommate
C. Private room with standard ventilation and closed door
D. Negative-pressure private room with 6-12 air exchanges per hour
Answer: D
Rationale: Airborne precautions for TB require an Airborne Infection Isolation Room
(AIIR) which utilizes negative pressure and high-frequency air exchanges.
4. During the donning process, which item is typically applied last before
entering a sterile or high-risk environment?
A. Gloves
B. Goggles
C. Gown
D. Mask
Answer: A
Rationale: Gloves are applied last to ensure they cover the cuffs of the gown and remain as
clean as possible before patient contact.
5. A nurse is maintaining a sterile field for a catheter insertion. Which action
would cause the field to become unsterile?
A. Keeping the sterile field above waist level
B. Dropping a sterile item onto the center of the drape
C. Turning her back to the sterile field to grab a trash can
D. Opening the outermost flap of a sterile kit away from the body
Answer: C
Rationale: A sterile field is considered contaminated if it is out of the range of vision or if
the nurse turns their back on it.
, 6. What is the minimum distance required between a patient on Droplet
Precautions and visitors without PPE?
A. 6 feet
B. 3 feet
C. 1 foot
D. 10 feet
Answer: A
Rationale: Modern guidelines generally recommend a 6-foot distance to minimize
exposure to respiratory droplets, though 3 feet was historically cited.
7. Which of the following diseases requires the nurse to wear an N95 respirator?
A. Influenza
B. Meningococcal meningitis
C. Pertussis
D. Disseminated Herpes Zoster
Answer: D
Rationale: Disseminated Herpes Zoster (shingles) requires airborne precautions,
necessitating an N95 respirator, whereas the others require droplet or standard
precautions.
8. While preparing to irrigate a wound, which combination of PPE should the
nurse select?
A. Gloves, gown, mask, and goggles
B. Gloves and gown only
C. Gloves only
D. Gloves and N95 respirator
Answer: A
Application (2026 Update) WCU
1. Which of the following is the correct sequence for doffing Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) to minimize self-contamination?
A. Mask, Goggles, Gown, Gloves
B. Gown, Gloves, Mask, Goggles
C. Gloves, Goggles, Gown, Mask
D. Gloves, Mask, Goggles, Gown
Answer: C
Rationale: According to CDC guidelines, the most contaminated items (gloves) should be
removed first, followed by eyewear and gown, with the mask/respirator removed last after
leaving the room.
2. When caring for a patient with Clostridioides difficile (C. diff), which hand
hygiene method is mandatory after providing care?
A. Alcohol-based hand rub for 20 seconds
B. Rinsing with warm water only
C. Using a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe
D. Washing with antimicrobial soap and water
Answer: D
Rationale: C. diff spores are resistant to alcohol-based rubs; physical friction and soap are
required to mechanically remove spores from hands.
,3. A patient is admitted with suspected Pulmonary Tuberculosis. Which type of
room assignment is required?
A. Positive-pressure room with HEPA filtration
B. Standard semi-private room with a roommate
C. Private room with standard ventilation and closed door
D. Negative-pressure private room with 6-12 air exchanges per hour
Answer: D
Rationale: Airborne precautions for TB require an Airborne Infection Isolation Room
(AIIR) which utilizes negative pressure and high-frequency air exchanges.
4. During the donning process, which item is typically applied last before
entering a sterile or high-risk environment?
A. Gloves
B. Goggles
C. Gown
D. Mask
Answer: A
Rationale: Gloves are applied last to ensure they cover the cuffs of the gown and remain as
clean as possible before patient contact.
5. A nurse is maintaining a sterile field for a catheter insertion. Which action
would cause the field to become unsterile?
A. Keeping the sterile field above waist level
B. Dropping a sterile item onto the center of the drape
C. Turning her back to the sterile field to grab a trash can
D. Opening the outermost flap of a sterile kit away from the body
Answer: C
Rationale: A sterile field is considered contaminated if it is out of the range of vision or if
the nurse turns their back on it.
, 6. What is the minimum distance required between a patient on Droplet
Precautions and visitors without PPE?
A. 6 feet
B. 3 feet
C. 1 foot
D. 10 feet
Answer: A
Rationale: Modern guidelines generally recommend a 6-foot distance to minimize
exposure to respiratory droplets, though 3 feet was historically cited.
7. Which of the following diseases requires the nurse to wear an N95 respirator?
A. Influenza
B. Meningococcal meningitis
C. Pertussis
D. Disseminated Herpes Zoster
Answer: D
Rationale: Disseminated Herpes Zoster (shingles) requires airborne precautions,
necessitating an N95 respirator, whereas the others require droplet or standard
precautions.
8. While preparing to irrigate a wound, which combination of PPE should the
nurse select?
A. Gloves, gown, mask, and goggles
B. Gloves and gown only
C. Gloves only
D. Gloves and N95 respirator
Answer: A
