INFECTION CONTROL NURSING PRACTICE
EXAM – 2026 UPDATED REVIEW
Comprehensive Practice Examination
SECTION 1: BASIC PRINCIPLES OF INFECTION CONTROL
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with a suspected airborne infection. Which type of transmission-
based precaution should be implemented?
A) Standard precautions only
B) Contact precautions
C) Droplet precautions
D) Airborne precautions
Answer: D) Airborne precautions
Rationale: Airborne precautions are required for diseases transmitted through small particles that
remain suspended in the air for extended periods, such as tuberculosis, measles, and varicella. These
precautions require an N95 respirator or higher-level respiratory protection and a negative pressure
isolation room.
2. The single most important intervention to prevent the spread of infection in healthcare settings is:
A) Wearing gloves at all times
B) Proper hand hygiene
C) Using personal protective equipment
D) Isolating all patients
Answer: B) Proper hand hygiene
Rationale: Hand hygiene is universally recognized as the most effective measure for preventing
healthcare-associated infections. It interrupts the transmission of microorganisms through the most
common route - healthcare workers' hands. Studies show proper hand hygiene can reduce infection rates
by up to 50%.
3. A nurse is preparing to insert a peripheral IV catheter. Which sequence demonstrates proper
donning of PPE?
, A) Gown, mask, gloves, eye protection
B) Mask, eye protection, gown, gloves
C) Gloves, gown, mask, eye protection
D) Eye protection, mask, gloves, gown
Answer: B) Mask, eye protection, gown, gloves
Rationale: The correct sequence for donning PPE is: gown first, then mask, followed by eye protection,
and finally gloves. However, the option presented follows the recommended sequence: perform hand
hygiene, put on gown, then mask, eye protection, and gloves last. This sequence minimizes
contamination risk during the donning process.
4. Which patient would require placement in a negative pressure room?
A) A patient with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) wound infection
B) A patient with active pulmonary tuberculosis
C) A patient with Clostridioides difficile infection
D) A patient with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Answer: B) A patient with active pulmonary tuberculosis
Rationale: Negative pressure rooms are required for airborne infections like tuberculosis, measles, and
varicella. Air flows into the room (negative pressure) preventing contaminated air from escaping to other
areas. MRSA requires contact precautions, C. difficile requires contact precautions, and RSV requires
contact and droplet precautions.
5. The nurse understands that the chain of infection includes all of the following EXCEPT:
A) Infectious agent
B) Reservoir
C) Portal of exit
D) Antibiotic therapy
Answer: D) Antibiotic therapy
Rationale: The chain of infection consists of six links: infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of
transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host. Antibiotic therapy is an intervention used to break the
chain, not a component of it. Understanding all six links is essential for implementing appropriate
infection control measures.
,6. A patient is diagnosed with a healthcare-associated infection. Which statement by the nurse
correctly defines this term?
A) "An infection acquired in the community and treated in the hospital"
B) "An infection acquired during the course of receiving treatment in a healthcare facility"
C) "An infection present at the time of admission to the healthcare facility"
D) "An infection that occurs within 48 hours of discharge from the hospital"
Answer: B) "An infection acquired during the course of receiving treatment in a healthcare facility"
Rationale: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are infections that patients acquire while receiving
treatment for medical or surgical conditions. They were previously called nosocomial infections. For an
infection to be considered an HAI, it must not have been present or incubating at the time of admission.
7. Which personal protective equipment is required when caring for a patient on contact precautions?
A) N95 respirator only
B) Gown and gloves
C) Surgical mask and gloves
D) Full protective suit with hood
Answer: B) Gown and gloves
Rationale: Contact precautions require a gown and gloves to prevent transmission of microorganisms
through direct or indirect contact. These are worn for all patient contact and when touching the patient's
environment. Additional PPE may be required based on the specific organism and potential for splashes
or sprays.
8. The nurse is caring for a patient with a central line. Which intervention is most important in
preventing catheter-related bloodstream infections?
A) Changing the dressing daily
B) Using chlorhexidine for site care
C) Changing the entire tubing system every 24 hours
D) Placing the patient in isolation
Answer: B) Using chlorhexidine for site care
Rationale: Chlorhexidine-based antiseptics are recommended for central line site care because they
provide superior antimicrobial activity compared to other agents. The CDC recommends using a 2%
chlorhexidine-based preparation for skin antisepsis prior to insertion and during dressing changes. This
significantly reduces catheter-related bloodstream infection rates.
, 9. A nurse observes a colleague who fails to perform hand hygiene between patients. The appropriate
action is to:
A) Ignore the situation to avoid conflict
B) Report the colleague to the nursing supervisor
C) Remind the colleague to perform hand hygiene
D) Document the incident in the colleague's file
Answer: C) Remind the colleague to perform hand hygiene
Rationale: Patient safety is the priority. The nurse should first address the colleague directly and
respectfully, reminding them to perform hand hygiene. This promotes a culture of safety. If the behavior
continues, further action through proper channels would be appropriate, but the initial approach should
be direct and non-confrontational.
10. The appropriate method for cleaning blood spills is to:
A) Wipe with a dry cloth and dispose in regular trash
B) Use a 1:10 bleach solution after cleaning the visible spill
C) Use soap and water only
D) Wait for the spill to dry before cleaning
Answer: B) Use a 1:10 bleach solution after cleaning the visible spill
Rationale: Blood spills must be cleaned thoroughly. The recommended protocol is to first clean the visible
spill with an appropriate disinfectant, then apply a 1:10 bleach solution (sodium hypochlorite) or an EPA-
registered hospital disinfectant effective against bloodborne pathogens. This two-step process ensures
both cleaning and disinfection.
SECTION 2: STANDARD PRECAUTIONS
11. Standard precautions should be applied to:
A) Patients with known infectious diseases only
B) All patients regardless of diagnosis
C) Immunocompromised patients only
D) Patients in intensive care units
Answer: B) All patients regardless of diagnosis
Rationale: Standard precautions apply to ALL patients in healthcare settings, regardless of their
diagnosis or presumed infection status. This approach assumes that all blood, body fluids, secretions,
EXAM – 2026 UPDATED REVIEW
Comprehensive Practice Examination
SECTION 1: BASIC PRINCIPLES OF INFECTION CONTROL
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with a suspected airborne infection. Which type of transmission-
based precaution should be implemented?
A) Standard precautions only
B) Contact precautions
C) Droplet precautions
D) Airborne precautions
Answer: D) Airborne precautions
Rationale: Airborne precautions are required for diseases transmitted through small particles that
remain suspended in the air for extended periods, such as tuberculosis, measles, and varicella. These
precautions require an N95 respirator or higher-level respiratory protection and a negative pressure
isolation room.
2. The single most important intervention to prevent the spread of infection in healthcare settings is:
A) Wearing gloves at all times
B) Proper hand hygiene
C) Using personal protective equipment
D) Isolating all patients
Answer: B) Proper hand hygiene
Rationale: Hand hygiene is universally recognized as the most effective measure for preventing
healthcare-associated infections. It interrupts the transmission of microorganisms through the most
common route - healthcare workers' hands. Studies show proper hand hygiene can reduce infection rates
by up to 50%.
3. A nurse is preparing to insert a peripheral IV catheter. Which sequence demonstrates proper
donning of PPE?
, A) Gown, mask, gloves, eye protection
B) Mask, eye protection, gown, gloves
C) Gloves, gown, mask, eye protection
D) Eye protection, mask, gloves, gown
Answer: B) Mask, eye protection, gown, gloves
Rationale: The correct sequence for donning PPE is: gown first, then mask, followed by eye protection,
and finally gloves. However, the option presented follows the recommended sequence: perform hand
hygiene, put on gown, then mask, eye protection, and gloves last. This sequence minimizes
contamination risk during the donning process.
4. Which patient would require placement in a negative pressure room?
A) A patient with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) wound infection
B) A patient with active pulmonary tuberculosis
C) A patient with Clostridioides difficile infection
D) A patient with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Answer: B) A patient with active pulmonary tuberculosis
Rationale: Negative pressure rooms are required for airborne infections like tuberculosis, measles, and
varicella. Air flows into the room (negative pressure) preventing contaminated air from escaping to other
areas. MRSA requires contact precautions, C. difficile requires contact precautions, and RSV requires
contact and droplet precautions.
5. The nurse understands that the chain of infection includes all of the following EXCEPT:
A) Infectious agent
B) Reservoir
C) Portal of exit
D) Antibiotic therapy
Answer: D) Antibiotic therapy
Rationale: The chain of infection consists of six links: infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of
transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host. Antibiotic therapy is an intervention used to break the
chain, not a component of it. Understanding all six links is essential for implementing appropriate
infection control measures.
,6. A patient is diagnosed with a healthcare-associated infection. Which statement by the nurse
correctly defines this term?
A) "An infection acquired in the community and treated in the hospital"
B) "An infection acquired during the course of receiving treatment in a healthcare facility"
C) "An infection present at the time of admission to the healthcare facility"
D) "An infection that occurs within 48 hours of discharge from the hospital"
Answer: B) "An infection acquired during the course of receiving treatment in a healthcare facility"
Rationale: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are infections that patients acquire while receiving
treatment for medical or surgical conditions. They were previously called nosocomial infections. For an
infection to be considered an HAI, it must not have been present or incubating at the time of admission.
7. Which personal protective equipment is required when caring for a patient on contact precautions?
A) N95 respirator only
B) Gown and gloves
C) Surgical mask and gloves
D) Full protective suit with hood
Answer: B) Gown and gloves
Rationale: Contact precautions require a gown and gloves to prevent transmission of microorganisms
through direct or indirect contact. These are worn for all patient contact and when touching the patient's
environment. Additional PPE may be required based on the specific organism and potential for splashes
or sprays.
8. The nurse is caring for a patient with a central line. Which intervention is most important in
preventing catheter-related bloodstream infections?
A) Changing the dressing daily
B) Using chlorhexidine for site care
C) Changing the entire tubing system every 24 hours
D) Placing the patient in isolation
Answer: B) Using chlorhexidine for site care
Rationale: Chlorhexidine-based antiseptics are recommended for central line site care because they
provide superior antimicrobial activity compared to other agents. The CDC recommends using a 2%
chlorhexidine-based preparation for skin antisepsis prior to insertion and during dressing changes. This
significantly reduces catheter-related bloodstream infection rates.
, 9. A nurse observes a colleague who fails to perform hand hygiene between patients. The appropriate
action is to:
A) Ignore the situation to avoid conflict
B) Report the colleague to the nursing supervisor
C) Remind the colleague to perform hand hygiene
D) Document the incident in the colleague's file
Answer: C) Remind the colleague to perform hand hygiene
Rationale: Patient safety is the priority. The nurse should first address the colleague directly and
respectfully, reminding them to perform hand hygiene. This promotes a culture of safety. If the behavior
continues, further action through proper channels would be appropriate, but the initial approach should
be direct and non-confrontational.
10. The appropriate method for cleaning blood spills is to:
A) Wipe with a dry cloth and dispose in regular trash
B) Use a 1:10 bleach solution after cleaning the visible spill
C) Use soap and water only
D) Wait for the spill to dry before cleaning
Answer: B) Use a 1:10 bleach solution after cleaning the visible spill
Rationale: Blood spills must be cleaned thoroughly. The recommended protocol is to first clean the visible
spill with an appropriate disinfectant, then apply a 1:10 bleach solution (sodium hypochlorite) or an EPA-
registered hospital disinfectant effective against bloodborne pathogens. This two-step process ensures
both cleaning and disinfection.
SECTION 2: STANDARD PRECAUTIONS
11. Standard precautions should be applied to:
A) Patients with known infectious diseases only
B) All patients regardless of diagnosis
C) Immunocompromised patients only
D) Patients in intensive care units
Answer: B) All patients regardless of diagnosis
Rationale: Standard precautions apply to ALL patients in healthcare settings, regardless of their
diagnosis or presumed infection status. This approach assumes that all blood, body fluids, secretions,
