NUR 109 – Nursing Skills Lab Clinical Skills
Laboratory Study Guide, Practical Procedures,
Patient Care Techniques, Competency Development,
and Practice Questions
Question 1
A nursing student is preparing to perform a sterile procedure in the skills lab.
Which of the following is the correct technique for opening a sterile package?
A) Open the package with the top flap toward the body
B) Open the package with the top flap away from the body
C) Open the package with all flaps toward the body
D) Open the package by tearing it open
Answer: B) Open the package with the top flap away from the body
Rationale: When opening a sterile package, the top flap should be opened away
from the body, and the side flaps should be opened to the sides. The final flap is
opened toward the body. This sequence prevents contamination of the sterile field
by keeping the nurse's arms and body away from the sterile contents. Tearing the
package open (Option D) is not appropriate as it can create non-sterile edges.
Question 2
A nursing student is practicing sterile gloving technique. Which of the following is
correct when donning sterile gloves?
A) The outer surface of the glove is considered sterile
B) The inner surface of the glove is considered sterile
C) Both surfaces of the glove are sterile
D) Neither surface of the glove is sterile
Answer: A) The outer surface of the glove is considered sterile
Rationale: In sterile gloving, the outer surface of the glove (the surface that will
touch the sterile field or patient) is considered sterile. The inner surface (which
touches the nurse's skin) is considered non-sterile. When donning sterile gloves,
,the nurse should only touch the inner surface of the first glove and the outer
surface of the second glove.
Question 3
A nursing student is setting up a sterile field in the skills lab. Which of the
following actions would contaminate the sterile field?
A) Placing sterile items 2 inches from the edge of the field
B) Reaching over the sterile field to adjust an item
C) Opening a sterile package using sterile technique
D) Using sterile gloves to handle sterile items
Answer: B) Reaching over the sterile field to adjust an item
Rationale: Reaching over a sterile field contaminates it because particles can fall
from the arms and clothing onto the field. Sterile items should be placed at least 1
inch from the edge of the field (Option A is correct). Opening the package with
sterile technique (Option C) and using sterile gloves (Option D) are correct
practices.
Question 4
A nursing student is practicing donning and removing personal protective
equipment (PPE). Which of the following is the correct order for removing PPE?
A) Gloves, gown, mask, and eye protection
B) Gown, gloves, mask, and eye protection
C) Mask, gloves, gown, and eye protection
D) Eye protection, gown, gloves, mask
Answer: A) Gloves, gown, mask, and eye protection
Rationale: The correct sequence for removing PPE is: gloves first (most
contaminated), then gown, then mask, and then eye protection. Hand hygiene
should be performed after removing all PPE. This sequence minimizes the risk of
contamination.
,Question 5
A nursing student is practicing surgical hand scrub technique. Which of the
following is the correct duration for a surgical hand scrub?
A) 1-2 minutes
B) 2-5 minutes
C) 5-10 minutes
D) 10-15 minutes
Answer: B) 2-5 minutes
Rationale: Surgical hand scrubs typically take 2-5 minutes, depending on facility
policy and the product used. The scrub should include cleaning under fingernails
and all surfaces of the hands and forearms. Hands should be held higher than
elbows to allow water to run from clean to dirty areas.
Question 6
A nursing student is preparing a sterile field for a wound dressing change. Which
of the following is the correct action?
A) Use only the inner 1 inch of the sterile field for placing items
B) Use only the outer 1 inch of the sterile field for placing items
C) Use the entire sterile field for placing items
D) Place items only on the sterile drape
Answer: A) Use only the inner 1 inch of the sterile field for placing items
Rationale: The outer 1 inch of the sterile field is considered contaminated because
it may have been touched during setup. Sterile items should be placed within the
inner area of the field, at least 1 inch from the edge. Items should only be placed on
the sterile drape (Option D), not on non-sterile surfaces.
Question 7
A nursing student is practicing sterile technique for a catheterization procedure.
Which of the following is the correct action if the sterile field becomes
contaminated?
A) Continue with the procedure to save time
B) Discard the contaminated items and set up a new sterile field
, C) Move the contaminated items to the edge of the field
D) Cover the contaminated area with a sterile towel
Answer: B) Discard the contaminated items and set up a new sterile field
Rationale: If a sterile field becomes contaminated, the procedure must be stopped
and a new sterile field must be set up. Continuing with the procedure (Option A),
moving contaminated items (Option C), or covering the area (Option D) does not
ensure sterility and increases the risk of infection.
Question 8
A nursing student is learning about medical asepsis versus surgical asepsis. Which
of the following is an example of surgical asepsis (sterile technique)?
A) Hand hygiene before and after patient contact
B) Wearing sterile gloves for a wound dressing change
C) Cleaning a wound with normal saline
D) Wearing clean gloves for a bed bath
Answer: B) Wearing sterile gloves for a wound dressing change
Rationale: Surgical asepsis (sterile technique) involves eliminating all
microorganisms and is used for invasive procedures such as wound dressing
changes, catheterization, and surgery. Medical asepsis (clean technique) involves
reducing the number and spread of microorganisms and includes hand hygiene
(Option A) and clean gloves (Option D).
Question 9
A nursing student is practicing hand hygiene in the skills lab. Which of the
following is the correct technique for washing hands with soap and water?
A) Wash hands for 10-15 seconds
B) Wash hands for 20-25 seconds
C) Wash hands for 40-60 seconds
D) Wash hands for 60-90 seconds
Answer: C) Wash hands for 40-60 seconds
Laboratory Study Guide, Practical Procedures,
Patient Care Techniques, Competency Development,
and Practice Questions
Question 1
A nursing student is preparing to perform a sterile procedure in the skills lab.
Which of the following is the correct technique for opening a sterile package?
A) Open the package with the top flap toward the body
B) Open the package with the top flap away from the body
C) Open the package with all flaps toward the body
D) Open the package by tearing it open
Answer: B) Open the package with the top flap away from the body
Rationale: When opening a sterile package, the top flap should be opened away
from the body, and the side flaps should be opened to the sides. The final flap is
opened toward the body. This sequence prevents contamination of the sterile field
by keeping the nurse's arms and body away from the sterile contents. Tearing the
package open (Option D) is not appropriate as it can create non-sterile edges.
Question 2
A nursing student is practicing sterile gloving technique. Which of the following is
correct when donning sterile gloves?
A) The outer surface of the glove is considered sterile
B) The inner surface of the glove is considered sterile
C) Both surfaces of the glove are sterile
D) Neither surface of the glove is sterile
Answer: A) The outer surface of the glove is considered sterile
Rationale: In sterile gloving, the outer surface of the glove (the surface that will
touch the sterile field or patient) is considered sterile. The inner surface (which
touches the nurse's skin) is considered non-sterile. When donning sterile gloves,
,the nurse should only touch the inner surface of the first glove and the outer
surface of the second glove.
Question 3
A nursing student is setting up a sterile field in the skills lab. Which of the
following actions would contaminate the sterile field?
A) Placing sterile items 2 inches from the edge of the field
B) Reaching over the sterile field to adjust an item
C) Opening a sterile package using sterile technique
D) Using sterile gloves to handle sterile items
Answer: B) Reaching over the sterile field to adjust an item
Rationale: Reaching over a sterile field contaminates it because particles can fall
from the arms and clothing onto the field. Sterile items should be placed at least 1
inch from the edge of the field (Option A is correct). Opening the package with
sterile technique (Option C) and using sterile gloves (Option D) are correct
practices.
Question 4
A nursing student is practicing donning and removing personal protective
equipment (PPE). Which of the following is the correct order for removing PPE?
A) Gloves, gown, mask, and eye protection
B) Gown, gloves, mask, and eye protection
C) Mask, gloves, gown, and eye protection
D) Eye protection, gown, gloves, mask
Answer: A) Gloves, gown, mask, and eye protection
Rationale: The correct sequence for removing PPE is: gloves first (most
contaminated), then gown, then mask, and then eye protection. Hand hygiene
should be performed after removing all PPE. This sequence minimizes the risk of
contamination.
,Question 5
A nursing student is practicing surgical hand scrub technique. Which of the
following is the correct duration for a surgical hand scrub?
A) 1-2 minutes
B) 2-5 minutes
C) 5-10 minutes
D) 10-15 minutes
Answer: B) 2-5 minutes
Rationale: Surgical hand scrubs typically take 2-5 minutes, depending on facility
policy and the product used. The scrub should include cleaning under fingernails
and all surfaces of the hands and forearms. Hands should be held higher than
elbows to allow water to run from clean to dirty areas.
Question 6
A nursing student is preparing a sterile field for a wound dressing change. Which
of the following is the correct action?
A) Use only the inner 1 inch of the sterile field for placing items
B) Use only the outer 1 inch of the sterile field for placing items
C) Use the entire sterile field for placing items
D) Place items only on the sterile drape
Answer: A) Use only the inner 1 inch of the sterile field for placing items
Rationale: The outer 1 inch of the sterile field is considered contaminated because
it may have been touched during setup. Sterile items should be placed within the
inner area of the field, at least 1 inch from the edge. Items should only be placed on
the sterile drape (Option D), not on non-sterile surfaces.
Question 7
A nursing student is practicing sterile technique for a catheterization procedure.
Which of the following is the correct action if the sterile field becomes
contaminated?
A) Continue with the procedure to save time
B) Discard the contaminated items and set up a new sterile field
, C) Move the contaminated items to the edge of the field
D) Cover the contaminated area with a sterile towel
Answer: B) Discard the contaminated items and set up a new sterile field
Rationale: If a sterile field becomes contaminated, the procedure must be stopped
and a new sterile field must be set up. Continuing with the procedure (Option A),
moving contaminated items (Option C), or covering the area (Option D) does not
ensure sterility and increases the risk of infection.
Question 8
A nursing student is learning about medical asepsis versus surgical asepsis. Which
of the following is an example of surgical asepsis (sterile technique)?
A) Hand hygiene before and after patient contact
B) Wearing sterile gloves for a wound dressing change
C) Cleaning a wound with normal saline
D) Wearing clean gloves for a bed bath
Answer: B) Wearing sterile gloves for a wound dressing change
Rationale: Surgical asepsis (sterile technique) involves eliminating all
microorganisms and is used for invasive procedures such as wound dressing
changes, catheterization, and surgery. Medical asepsis (clean technique) involves
reducing the number and spread of microorganisms and includes hand hygiene
(Option A) and clean gloves (Option D).
Question 9
A nursing student is practicing hand hygiene in the skills lab. Which of the
following is the correct technique for washing hands with soap and water?
A) Wash hands for 10-15 seconds
B) Wash hands for 20-25 seconds
C) Wash hands for 40-60 seconds
D) Wash hands for 60-90 seconds
Answer: C) Wash hands for 40-60 seconds
