NU NUR 340 Module 6 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Nursing Care of Adults and
Older Adults II Q&A | Nursing
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who has been diagnosed with a healthcare-
associated infection (HAI). The nurse understands that the most effective
way to break the chain of infection is by:
A) Administering broad-spectrum antibiotics prophylactically
B) Implementing strict hand hygiene practices
C) Placing the patient in a private room
D) Wearing personal protective equipment at all times
Correct Answer: Implementing strict hand hygiene practices
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most important and effective measure
to prevent the transmission of infections. It interrupts the chain of infection
at the mode of transmission link. While the other options are important, they
are not as universally effective as consistent hand hygiene.
2. A nurse is reviewing the chain of infection with a group of nursing
students. The nurse correctly identifies the "portal of exit" as:
A) The way the infectious agent leaves the reservoir
B) The way the infectious agent enters a new host
C) The environment where the infectious agent lives and multiplies
D) The individual who is vulnerable to the infection
Correct Answer: The way the infectious agent leaves the reservoir
Rationale: The portal of exit is the route by which an infectious agent leaves
its reservoir. This can be through respiratory secretions, blood, urine, feces,
or other bodily fluids. Understanding this link is crucial for implementing
appropriate precautions.
,3. A nurse is assessing a patient who is at high risk for developing an
infection. Which of the following patients is most susceptible to infection?
A) A 25-year-old with a minor abrasion
B) A 70-year-old with diabetes who is post-operative
C) A 40-year-old with well-controlled hypertension
D) A 50-year-old who exercises regularly
Correct Answer: A 70-year-old with diabetes who is post-operative
Rationale: A susceptible host is an individual who is vulnerable to infection.
Factors that increase susceptibility include advanced age, chronic diseases
like diabetes that impair immune function, and the stress of surgery. The
combination of these factors makes this patient the most susceptible.
4. A nurse is preparing to care for a patient with a draining wound. To
prevent the spread of infection, the nurse should place the patient on which
type of precautions?
A) Standard precautions
B) Contact precautions
C) Droplet precautions
D) Airborne precautions
Correct Answer: Contact precautions
Rationale: Contact precautions are used for patients with infections that are
spread by direct or indirect contact, such as draining wounds that are not
contained by a dressing. This involves using a gown and gloves to prevent
transmission.
,5. A patient has a localized wound infection. The nurse should anticipate that
the healthcare provider will order which of the following to identify the
specific causative organism?
A) Complete blood count (CBC)
B) Wound culture and sensitivity
C) Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
D) C-reactive protein (CRP)
Correct Answer: Wound culture and sensitivity
Rationale: A wound culture and sensitivity test is used to identify the specific
microorganism causing the infection and to determine which antibiotics are
effective against it. A CBC, ESR, and CRP can indicate inflammation but do
not identify the specific pathogen.
6. A nurse is teaching a patient about the importance of completing a full
course of antibiotics. Which of the following statements by the patient
indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I will take the antibiotics until I feel better, then I will stop."
B) "I will take the antibiotics exactly as prescribed."
C) "I will not skip any doses of the antibiotics."
D) "I will finish all of the antibiotics, even if I feel better."
Correct Answer: "I will take the antibiotics until I feel better, then I will stop."
Rationale: Stopping antibiotics early, even if symptoms improve, can lead to
the development of antibiotic resistance. Patients should complete the full
course as prescribed. This statement indicates a misunderstanding of the
therapy's purpose.
, 7. A nurse is assessing a patient with a fever of unknown origin. The nurse
should prepare to assist with which of the following diagnostic tests?
A) Complete blood count (CBC) and blood cultures
B) Chest X-ray
C) Urinalysis
D) All of the above
Correct Answer: All of the above
Rationale: For a fever of unknown origin, a comprehensive workup is often
necessary. A CBC can reveal leukocytosis, blood cultures can identify the
causative organism, a chest X-ray can rule out pneumonia, and a urinalysis
can detect a urinary tract infection.
8. A nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving intravenous antibiotics. The
nurse should monitor the patient for which of the following common adverse
effects?
A) Hypotension and bradycardia
B) Nausea and diarrhea
C) Hyperglycemia and polyuria
D) Respiratory depression and sedation
Correct Answer: Nausea and diarrhea
Rationale: Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum ones, can cause
gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea by disrupting
the normal intestinal flora. These are common adverse effects.
9. A nurse is assessing a patient's surgical wound and notes purulent
drainage. The nurse understands that this finding is most indicative of:
Older Adults II Q&A | Nursing
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who has been diagnosed with a healthcare-
associated infection (HAI). The nurse understands that the most effective
way to break the chain of infection is by:
A) Administering broad-spectrum antibiotics prophylactically
B) Implementing strict hand hygiene practices
C) Placing the patient in a private room
D) Wearing personal protective equipment at all times
Correct Answer: Implementing strict hand hygiene practices
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most important and effective measure
to prevent the transmission of infections. It interrupts the chain of infection
at the mode of transmission link. While the other options are important, they
are not as universally effective as consistent hand hygiene.
2. A nurse is reviewing the chain of infection with a group of nursing
students. The nurse correctly identifies the "portal of exit" as:
A) The way the infectious agent leaves the reservoir
B) The way the infectious agent enters a new host
C) The environment where the infectious agent lives and multiplies
D) The individual who is vulnerable to the infection
Correct Answer: The way the infectious agent leaves the reservoir
Rationale: The portal of exit is the route by which an infectious agent leaves
its reservoir. This can be through respiratory secretions, blood, urine, feces,
or other bodily fluids. Understanding this link is crucial for implementing
appropriate precautions.
,3. A nurse is assessing a patient who is at high risk for developing an
infection. Which of the following patients is most susceptible to infection?
A) A 25-year-old with a minor abrasion
B) A 70-year-old with diabetes who is post-operative
C) A 40-year-old with well-controlled hypertension
D) A 50-year-old who exercises regularly
Correct Answer: A 70-year-old with diabetes who is post-operative
Rationale: A susceptible host is an individual who is vulnerable to infection.
Factors that increase susceptibility include advanced age, chronic diseases
like diabetes that impair immune function, and the stress of surgery. The
combination of these factors makes this patient the most susceptible.
4. A nurse is preparing to care for a patient with a draining wound. To
prevent the spread of infection, the nurse should place the patient on which
type of precautions?
A) Standard precautions
B) Contact precautions
C) Droplet precautions
D) Airborne precautions
Correct Answer: Contact precautions
Rationale: Contact precautions are used for patients with infections that are
spread by direct or indirect contact, such as draining wounds that are not
contained by a dressing. This involves using a gown and gloves to prevent
transmission.
,5. A patient has a localized wound infection. The nurse should anticipate that
the healthcare provider will order which of the following to identify the
specific causative organism?
A) Complete blood count (CBC)
B) Wound culture and sensitivity
C) Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
D) C-reactive protein (CRP)
Correct Answer: Wound culture and sensitivity
Rationale: A wound culture and sensitivity test is used to identify the specific
microorganism causing the infection and to determine which antibiotics are
effective against it. A CBC, ESR, and CRP can indicate inflammation but do
not identify the specific pathogen.
6. A nurse is teaching a patient about the importance of completing a full
course of antibiotics. Which of the following statements by the patient
indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I will take the antibiotics until I feel better, then I will stop."
B) "I will take the antibiotics exactly as prescribed."
C) "I will not skip any doses of the antibiotics."
D) "I will finish all of the antibiotics, even if I feel better."
Correct Answer: "I will take the antibiotics until I feel better, then I will stop."
Rationale: Stopping antibiotics early, even if symptoms improve, can lead to
the development of antibiotic resistance. Patients should complete the full
course as prescribed. This statement indicates a misunderstanding of the
therapy's purpose.
, 7. A nurse is assessing a patient with a fever of unknown origin. The nurse
should prepare to assist with which of the following diagnostic tests?
A) Complete blood count (CBC) and blood cultures
B) Chest X-ray
C) Urinalysis
D) All of the above
Correct Answer: All of the above
Rationale: For a fever of unknown origin, a comprehensive workup is often
necessary. A CBC can reveal leukocytosis, blood cultures can identify the
causative organism, a chest X-ray can rule out pneumonia, and a urinalysis
can detect a urinary tract infection.
8. A nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving intravenous antibiotics. The
nurse should monitor the patient for which of the following common adverse
effects?
A) Hypotension and bradycardia
B) Nausea and diarrhea
C) Hyperglycemia and polyuria
D) Respiratory depression and sedation
Correct Answer: Nausea and diarrhea
Rationale: Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum ones, can cause
gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea by disrupting
the normal intestinal flora. These are common adverse effects.
9. A nurse is assessing a patient's surgical wound and notes purulent
drainage. The nurse understands that this finding is most indicative of:
