Guide | Fortis (Latest 2026/ 2027 Update) 100%
Verified Questions & Answers | Grade A
Section 1: Infection Control & Asepsis
1. A patient is diagnosed with a healthcare-associated infection (HAI). Which is
the most common route of transmission for HAIs?
a) Airborne
b) Droplet
c) Contact (via healthcare workers' hands)
d) Vector-borne
Answer: c
Rationale: The CDC identifies contaminated healthcare workers' hands as the
primary route of transmission for HAIs. Proper hand hygiene is the single most
effective way to prevent HAIs.
2. The nurse is preparing to insert a urinary catheter. Which technique of aseptic
practice is required?
a) Medical asepsis
b) Surgical asepsis
c) Standard Precautions
d) Clean technique
Answer: b
Rationale: Urinary catheterization requires surgical asepsis (sterile
technique) because it involves entering a sterile body cavity (the bladder).
Medical asepsis (clean technique) is used for procedures like bed baths or IV bag
changes.
,3. A nurse is caring for a patient with Clostridium difficile (C. diff). Which type of
PPE is most important?
a) N95 respirator
b) Gown and gloves
c) Surgical mask and face shield
d) Sterile gloves only
Answer: b
Rationale: C. diff is spread via the fecal-oral route (contact). The organism forms
spores that are not killed by alcohol-based hand sanitizers. The nurse must wear a
gown and gloves and wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after care.
4. What is the correct order for removing PPE?
a) Gloves, goggles, gown, mask
b) Gown, mask, gloves, goggles
c) Gloves, gown, goggles, mask
d) Mask, gown, gloves, goggles
Answer: a
Rationale: The correct order is: Gloves (most contaminated)
→ Goggles → Gown → Mask (remove mask last, by the strings, to avoid touching
the contaminated front). This sequence prevents self-contamination.
5. A patient asks if hand sanitizer is as good as soap and water. The nurse’s best
response is:
a) "Yes, it kills all types of germs."
b) "No, soap and water is always better."
c) "It is effective, but soap and water is required when hands are visibly soiled or
after using the restroom."
d) "Hand sanitizer is only for visitors, not patients."
Answer: c
,Rationale: Alcohol-based sanitizers are highly effective against most pathogens,
but they do not kill spores (like C. diff) and are ineffective against visible dirt,
blood, or bodily fluids. Soap and water must be used in those cases.
6. A patient with active pulmonary tuberculosis requires which type of isolation?
a) Standard Precautions
b) Contact Precautions
c) Droplet Precautions
d) Airborne Precautions
Answer: d
Rationale: TB is transmitted via tiny airborne nuclei (<5 microns) that remain
suspended in the air for long periods. This requires an Airborne Precautions room
with negative pressure and at least 6–12 air exchanges per hour, plus an N95
respirator.
7. During which stage of the infection process does the patient begin to
experience mild, non-specific symptoms (e.g., fatigue, malaise)?
a) Incubation period
b) Prodromal stage
c) Acute stage
d) Convalescent stage
Answer: b
Rationale: The prodromal stage is when the patient first notices vague, non-
specific symptoms as the pathogen begins to multiply. The incubation period has
no symptoms; the acute stage has full-blown, specific symptoms; the convalescent
stage is recovery.
8. A patient who is immunocompromised (neutropenic) requires a private room.
This is an example of which type of isolation?
a) Standard Precautions
, b) Protective Environment (Reverse Isolation)
c) Airborne Precautions
d) Droplet Precautions
Answer: b
Rationale: Protective (reverse) isolation protects the patient
from external pathogens. It requires a private room with positive airflow, HEPA
filtration, and restrictions on visitors with infections.
9. The nurse is disposing of a needle after an injection. Which action is correct?
a) Recap the needle to prevent injury.
b) Break the needle before disposing of it.
c) Dispose of the uncapped needle directly into a puncture-proof sharps container.
d) Place the capped needle in the trash can.
Answer: c
Rationale: Needles should never be recapped, bent, or broken (this increases
needlestick injury risk). They must be discarded uncapped directly into a
puncture-resistant sharps container at the point of use.
10. Which of the following is a classic sign of a localized infection?
a) Fever
b) Malaise
c) Erythema (redness)
d) Anorexia
Answer: c
Rationale: Localized infections display local signs: erythema (redness), heat,
swelling, pain, and purulent drainage. Fever, malaise, and anorexia
are systemic signs indicating the infection has spread.
11. A nurse is performing a sterile dressing change. The nurse drops a sterile
gauze pad onto the patient's bedside table. What should the nurse do?