GALEN COLLEGE: CONCEPTS OF MEDICAL-
SURGICAL NURSING NUR170 EXAM 300
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALE LATEST UPDATE ALREADY
GRADED A+ ASSURED PASS
Section 1: Infection Control and Surgical Asepsis (1–30)
1. A nurse is preparing a sterile field. Which action contaminates the sterile field?
A. A sterile instrument is dropped onto the near side of the sterile field
B. A cotton ball dampened with sterile normal saline is placed on the field
C. The nurse holds the sterile pack above waist level
D. The nurse opens the sterile pack just prior to the procedure
Answer: B
Rationale: Any object that is not sterile, including cotton balls that are not
individually wrapped, contaminates the field. A sterile instrument dropped onto the
field remains sterile if it lands on the sterile portion. Holding packs above waist
level and opening immediately before the procedure maintain sterility.
2. What is the primary goal of surgical asepsis?
A. To reduce the number of microorganisms
B. To eliminate all microorganisms, including spores
C. To clean the surgical site
D. To prevent infection after surgery
Answer: B
,Rationale: Surgical asepsis (sterile technique) aims to eliminate all
microorganisms, including spores, from a specific area. Medical asepsis (clean
technique) reduces the number of microorganisms.
3. A sterile field must be maintained at or above which level?
A. Chest level
B. Waist level
C. Shoulder level
D. Knee level
Answer: B
Rationale: A sterile field must remain at or above waist level to prevent
contamination from non-sterile areas below the waist. This principle minimizes the
risk of introducing pathogens.
4. A nurse is providing teaching to assistive personnel about the open-gloving
method. Which instruction is correct?
A. "Ask another team member to assist with donning gloves."
B. "Choose a pair of gloves at least one size smaller than usual."
C. "Grasp only the inside of the glove with your ungloved hand."
D. "Grasp the outside of the glove with your ungloved hand."
Answer: C
Rationale: When donning sterile gloves using the open method, the nurse grasps
only the inside of the glove with the ungloved hand to maintain sterility of the
outer surface. Gloves should be the correct size, not smaller.
5. Which of the following is the most effective way to break the chain of infection?
A. Wearing gloves for all patient contact
B. Proper hand hygiene before and after patient care
C. Using disposable equipment only
D. Placing all patients on contact precautions
Answer: B
,Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most effective measure to prevent the
transmission of pathogens in healthcare settings. It breaks the chain of infection at
the transmission link.
6. A patient with suspected tuberculosis is admitted. The nurse should place the
patient in which type of room?
A. Standard private room with the door closed
B. Negative-pressure airborne infection isolation room
C. Positive-pressure room
D. Room with a HEPA filter only
Answer: B
Rationale: Tuberculosis is transmitted via airborne particles. A negative-pressure
airborne infection isolation room (AIIR) is required to prevent transmission.
7. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. Which action
demonstrates aseptic technique?
A. Wearing clean gloves throughout the procedure
B. Opening sterile supplies away from the body
C. Touching only the inside of the sterile drape
D. Using hand sanitizer after removing gloves
Answer: B
Rationale: Opening sterile supplies away from the body prevents contamination
from the nurse's clothing or unintended surfaces. Clean gloves are not appropriate
for catheter insertion; sterile gloves are required.
8. When opening a sterile pack, which action compromises sterility?
A. Allowing movement of team members around the field
B. Holding the sterile pack below waist level
C. Keeping sterile items away from the edge of the table
D. Opening the sterile pack just prior to the procedure
Answer: B
, Rationale: Holding a sterile pack below waist or table level compromises sterility
because the pack may come into contact with contaminated surfaces. Movement
around the field should be minimized, and packs should be opened immediately
before use.
9. Prior to entering the surgical-scrub area, which PPE items should a nurse don?
(Select all that apply.)
A. Gown
B. Protective eyewear
C. Hair cover
D. Mask
E. Shoe covers
Answer: C, D, E
Rationale: Before entering the surgical-scrub area, the nurse should don a hair
cover, mask, and shoe covers. The sterile gown is donned after the surgical scrub,
not before entering the scrub area.
10. A nurse is preparing to wash their hands prior to surgery. Why should the nurse
keep their hands above their elbows?
A. To prevent them from coming into contact with a contaminated object
B. To facilitate the application of sufficient friction to the hands
C. To provide good visualization of the hands as they are scrubbed
D. To encourage water and soap to flow away from the clean hands
Answer: D
Rationale: Keeping hands above elbows allows water and soap to flow from the
cleanest area (hands) toward the less clean area (elbows), preventing contaminated
water from flowing back over the hands.
11. Which area of the hands requires special attention during the presurgical wash?
A. The area between each finger
B. The area under each fingernail
C. The palm of each hand
D. The back of the hands
SURGICAL NURSING NUR170 EXAM 300
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALE LATEST UPDATE ALREADY
GRADED A+ ASSURED PASS
Section 1: Infection Control and Surgical Asepsis (1–30)
1. A nurse is preparing a sterile field. Which action contaminates the sterile field?
A. A sterile instrument is dropped onto the near side of the sterile field
B. A cotton ball dampened with sterile normal saline is placed on the field
C. The nurse holds the sterile pack above waist level
D. The nurse opens the sterile pack just prior to the procedure
Answer: B
Rationale: Any object that is not sterile, including cotton balls that are not
individually wrapped, contaminates the field. A sterile instrument dropped onto the
field remains sterile if it lands on the sterile portion. Holding packs above waist
level and opening immediately before the procedure maintain sterility.
2. What is the primary goal of surgical asepsis?
A. To reduce the number of microorganisms
B. To eliminate all microorganisms, including spores
C. To clean the surgical site
D. To prevent infection after surgery
Answer: B
,Rationale: Surgical asepsis (sterile technique) aims to eliminate all
microorganisms, including spores, from a specific area. Medical asepsis (clean
technique) reduces the number of microorganisms.
3. A sterile field must be maintained at or above which level?
A. Chest level
B. Waist level
C. Shoulder level
D. Knee level
Answer: B
Rationale: A sterile field must remain at or above waist level to prevent
contamination from non-sterile areas below the waist. This principle minimizes the
risk of introducing pathogens.
4. A nurse is providing teaching to assistive personnel about the open-gloving
method. Which instruction is correct?
A. "Ask another team member to assist with donning gloves."
B. "Choose a pair of gloves at least one size smaller than usual."
C. "Grasp only the inside of the glove with your ungloved hand."
D. "Grasp the outside of the glove with your ungloved hand."
Answer: C
Rationale: When donning sterile gloves using the open method, the nurse grasps
only the inside of the glove with the ungloved hand to maintain sterility of the
outer surface. Gloves should be the correct size, not smaller.
5. Which of the following is the most effective way to break the chain of infection?
A. Wearing gloves for all patient contact
B. Proper hand hygiene before and after patient care
C. Using disposable equipment only
D. Placing all patients on contact precautions
Answer: B
,Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most effective measure to prevent the
transmission of pathogens in healthcare settings. It breaks the chain of infection at
the transmission link.
6. A patient with suspected tuberculosis is admitted. The nurse should place the
patient in which type of room?
A. Standard private room with the door closed
B. Negative-pressure airborne infection isolation room
C. Positive-pressure room
D. Room with a HEPA filter only
Answer: B
Rationale: Tuberculosis is transmitted via airborne particles. A negative-pressure
airborne infection isolation room (AIIR) is required to prevent transmission.
7. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. Which action
demonstrates aseptic technique?
A. Wearing clean gloves throughout the procedure
B. Opening sterile supplies away from the body
C. Touching only the inside of the sterile drape
D. Using hand sanitizer after removing gloves
Answer: B
Rationale: Opening sterile supplies away from the body prevents contamination
from the nurse's clothing or unintended surfaces. Clean gloves are not appropriate
for catheter insertion; sterile gloves are required.
8. When opening a sterile pack, which action compromises sterility?
A. Allowing movement of team members around the field
B. Holding the sterile pack below waist level
C. Keeping sterile items away from the edge of the table
D. Opening the sterile pack just prior to the procedure
Answer: B
, Rationale: Holding a sterile pack below waist or table level compromises sterility
because the pack may come into contact with contaminated surfaces. Movement
around the field should be minimized, and packs should be opened immediately
before use.
9. Prior to entering the surgical-scrub area, which PPE items should a nurse don?
(Select all that apply.)
A. Gown
B. Protective eyewear
C. Hair cover
D. Mask
E. Shoe covers
Answer: C, D, E
Rationale: Before entering the surgical-scrub area, the nurse should don a hair
cover, mask, and shoe covers. The sterile gown is donned after the surgical scrub,
not before entering the scrub area.
10. A nurse is preparing to wash their hands prior to surgery. Why should the nurse
keep their hands above their elbows?
A. To prevent them from coming into contact with a contaminated object
B. To facilitate the application of sufficient friction to the hands
C. To provide good visualization of the hands as they are scrubbed
D. To encourage water and soap to flow away from the clean hands
Answer: D
Rationale: Keeping hands above elbows allows water and soap to flow from the
cleanest area (hands) toward the less clean area (elbows), preventing contaminated
water from flowing back over the hands.
11. Which area of the hands requires special attention during the presurgical wash?
A. The area between each finger
B. The area under each fingernail
C. The palm of each hand
D. The back of the hands
