NU NUR 340 Module 3 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Nursing Care of Adults and
Older Adults II Q&A | Nursing
1. A nurse is reviewing the chain of infection. Which of the following
represents the correct sequence of the chain?
A) Infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of
entry, susceptible host
B) Reservoir, infectious agent, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of
entry, susceptible host
C) Infectious agent, reservoir, mode of transmission, portal of exit, portal of
entry, susceptible host
D) Susceptible host, portal of entry, mode of transmission, portal of exit,
reservoir, infectious agent
Correct Answer: Infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of
transmission, portal of entry, susceptible host
Rationale: The chain of infection is a model used to understand the
transmission of infectious agents. It consists of six links: the infectious agent,
the reservoir (where the agent lives), the portal of exit (how the agent leaves
the reservoir), the mode of transmission (how the agent is spread), the portal
of entry (how the agent enters a new host), and the susceptible host. The
nurse's role is to interrupt this chain at any point to prevent infection.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient with a wound infection. The nurse
understands that the most effective way to break the chain of infection at
the reservoir link is to:
A) Administer prescribed antibiotics
B) Perform hand hygiene before and after patient contact
C) Use personal protective equipment (PPE)
D) Ensure proper wound care and dressing changes
,Correct Answer: Ensure proper wound care and dressing changes
Rationale: The reservoir is the environment where the infectious agent lives
and multiplies. For a wound infection, the wound itself is the reservoir. Proper
wound care and dressing changes reduce the bioburden and eliminate the
reservoir. Hand hygiene and PPE interrupt transmission, and antibiotics
target the agent.
3. A nurse is assessing a patient for risk factors that increase susceptibility to
infection. Which of the following patients is at the highest risk for developing
an infection?
A) A 25-year-old athlete with a minor abrasion
B) A 70-year-old patient with diabetes undergoing surgery
C) A 40-year-old patient with a history of asthma
D) A 50-year-old patient with well-controlled hypertension
Correct Answer: A 70-year-old patient with diabetes undergoing surgery
Rationale: A susceptible host is an individual who is vulnerable to infection.
Elderly patients, those with diabetes, and patients undergoing surgery are all
at increased risk. The combination of age, diabetes (which impairs immune
function), and the stress of surgery makes this patient the most susceptible.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer an antibiotic to a patient with a
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. Which of the
following is the most important nursing action prior to administration?
A) Verify the patient's allergy status
B) Assess the patient's pain level
C) Check the patient's temperature
D) Review the patient's dietary preferences
,Correct Answer: Verify the patient's allergy status
Rationale: Before administering any antibiotic, especially for a serious
infection like MRSA, it is crucial to verify the patient's allergy status to
prevent a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. While other
assessments are important, patient safety regarding allergies is the priority.
5. A nurse is teaching a patient about ways to prevent antibiotic-resistant
infections. Which of the following instructions is most appropriate?
A) "Take antibiotics until you feel better, then stop."
B) "Save any unused antibiotics for future infections."
C) "Complete the full course of antibiotics as prescribed."
D) "Request antibiotics for any viral illness to speed recovery."
Correct Answer: "Complete the full course of antibiotics as prescribed."
Rationale: Completing the full course of antibiotics ensures that all bacteria
are eradicated, reducing the chance for resistant strains to develop. Stopping
early, saving unused antibiotics, or using them for viral infections contribute
to the development of antibiotic resistance.
6. A patient has a localized infection. The nurse understands that a localized
infection is one that:
A) Has spread extensively throughout the body via the blood
B) Is limited to a small area
C) Is caused by a virus
D) Has spread to areas beyond the initial site
, Correct Answer: Is limited to a small area
Rationale: Infections are classified by their extent. A localized infection is
confined to a small, specific area of the body. A disseminated infection has
spread to other areas, and a systemic infection has spread throughout the
body, often via the bloodstream.
7. A patient is diagnosed with a systemic infection. The nurse should monitor
the patient for which of the following systemic signs?
A) Redness and swelling at the site of injury
B) Purulent drainage from a wound
C) Fever and chills
D) Localized pain
Correct Answer: Fever and chills
Rationale: Systemic infections affect the entire body. Common systemic signs
include fever, chills, malaise, and tachycardia. Localized signs like redness,
swelling, pain, and purulent drainage are characteristic of localized
infections.
8. A nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who is at high risk for
infection. Which of the following nursing interventions is most effective in
breaking the chain of infection at the "portal of entry" link?
A) Maintaining strict hand hygiene
B) Using sterile technique for wound care
C) Ensuring the patient receives all prescribed antibiotics
D) Monitoring the patient's white blood cell count
Correct Answer: Using sterile technique for wound care
Older Adults II Q&A | Nursing
1. A nurse is reviewing the chain of infection. Which of the following
represents the correct sequence of the chain?
A) Infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of
entry, susceptible host
B) Reservoir, infectious agent, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of
entry, susceptible host
C) Infectious agent, reservoir, mode of transmission, portal of exit, portal of
entry, susceptible host
D) Susceptible host, portal of entry, mode of transmission, portal of exit,
reservoir, infectious agent
Correct Answer: Infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of
transmission, portal of entry, susceptible host
Rationale: The chain of infection is a model used to understand the
transmission of infectious agents. It consists of six links: the infectious agent,
the reservoir (where the agent lives), the portal of exit (how the agent leaves
the reservoir), the mode of transmission (how the agent is spread), the portal
of entry (how the agent enters a new host), and the susceptible host. The
nurse's role is to interrupt this chain at any point to prevent infection.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient with a wound infection. The nurse
understands that the most effective way to break the chain of infection at
the reservoir link is to:
A) Administer prescribed antibiotics
B) Perform hand hygiene before and after patient contact
C) Use personal protective equipment (PPE)
D) Ensure proper wound care and dressing changes
,Correct Answer: Ensure proper wound care and dressing changes
Rationale: The reservoir is the environment where the infectious agent lives
and multiplies. For a wound infection, the wound itself is the reservoir. Proper
wound care and dressing changes reduce the bioburden and eliminate the
reservoir. Hand hygiene and PPE interrupt transmission, and antibiotics
target the agent.
3. A nurse is assessing a patient for risk factors that increase susceptibility to
infection. Which of the following patients is at the highest risk for developing
an infection?
A) A 25-year-old athlete with a minor abrasion
B) A 70-year-old patient with diabetes undergoing surgery
C) A 40-year-old patient with a history of asthma
D) A 50-year-old patient with well-controlled hypertension
Correct Answer: A 70-year-old patient with diabetes undergoing surgery
Rationale: A susceptible host is an individual who is vulnerable to infection.
Elderly patients, those with diabetes, and patients undergoing surgery are all
at increased risk. The combination of age, diabetes (which impairs immune
function), and the stress of surgery makes this patient the most susceptible.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer an antibiotic to a patient with a
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. Which of the
following is the most important nursing action prior to administration?
A) Verify the patient's allergy status
B) Assess the patient's pain level
C) Check the patient's temperature
D) Review the patient's dietary preferences
,Correct Answer: Verify the patient's allergy status
Rationale: Before administering any antibiotic, especially for a serious
infection like MRSA, it is crucial to verify the patient's allergy status to
prevent a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. While other
assessments are important, patient safety regarding allergies is the priority.
5. A nurse is teaching a patient about ways to prevent antibiotic-resistant
infections. Which of the following instructions is most appropriate?
A) "Take antibiotics until you feel better, then stop."
B) "Save any unused antibiotics for future infections."
C) "Complete the full course of antibiotics as prescribed."
D) "Request antibiotics for any viral illness to speed recovery."
Correct Answer: "Complete the full course of antibiotics as prescribed."
Rationale: Completing the full course of antibiotics ensures that all bacteria
are eradicated, reducing the chance for resistant strains to develop. Stopping
early, saving unused antibiotics, or using them for viral infections contribute
to the development of antibiotic resistance.
6. A patient has a localized infection. The nurse understands that a localized
infection is one that:
A) Has spread extensively throughout the body via the blood
B) Is limited to a small area
C) Is caused by a virus
D) Has spread to areas beyond the initial site
, Correct Answer: Is limited to a small area
Rationale: Infections are classified by their extent. A localized infection is
confined to a small, specific area of the body. A disseminated infection has
spread to other areas, and a systemic infection has spread throughout the
body, often via the bloodstream.
7. A patient is diagnosed with a systemic infection. The nurse should monitor
the patient for which of the following systemic signs?
A) Redness and swelling at the site of injury
B) Purulent drainage from a wound
C) Fever and chills
D) Localized pain
Correct Answer: Fever and chills
Rationale: Systemic infections affect the entire body. Common systemic signs
include fever, chills, malaise, and tachycardia. Localized signs like redness,
swelling, pain, and purulent drainage are characteristic of localized
infections.
8. A nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who is at high risk for
infection. Which of the following nursing interventions is most effective in
breaking the chain of infection at the "portal of entry" link?
A) Maintaining strict hand hygiene
B) Using sterile technique for wound care
C) Ensuring the patient receives all prescribed antibiotics
D) Monitoring the patient's white blood cell count
Correct Answer: Using sterile technique for wound care
