NU 136 | INFECTION CONTROL & PATIENT SAFETY | 2026/2027
NU 136
INFECTION CONTROL & PATIENT SAFETY PRACTICE
EXAM
(2026/2027)
Nursing Review • Infection Prevention, Safety, Questions &
Detailed Rationales
EXAM OVERVIEW
• 54 original A–D practice questions
• Correct answers, detailed rationales, and explanations of incorrect options
• Consolidated answer key, high-yield review checklist, and five-session study plan
• Topics include clinical priorities, infection prevention, medication safety, assessment, basic
care, communication, ethics, and delegation
Educational note: This is an original educational practice resource, not an official or guaranteed
exam. NU 136 coverage varies by institution; confirm topics with your current syllabus,
instructor guidance, and assigned materials.
Original educational practice resource • Follow current institutional infection-prevention policies
, NU 136 | INFECTION CONTROL & PATIENT SAFETY | 2026/2027
INFECTION CONTROL & PATIENT SAFETY QUESTIONS
Question 1. A nurse receives report on four patients. Which patient should be
assessed first?
A. A patient with new stridor after surgery
B. A patient requesting help with a meal tray
C. A patient with chronic knee pain rated 4/10
D. A patient awaiting routine discharge teaching
Correct Answer: A. A patient with new stridor after surgery
Detailed Rationale: Stridor can indicate upper-airway obstruction and requires immediate
assessment and emergency response.
Why B is incorrect: The other needs are important but are not as immediately life-
threatening.
Why C is incorrect: Meal assistance can wait until the airway threat is addressed.
Why D is incorrect: Chronic, moderate pain is less urgent than a potential airway emergency.
Key Nursing Concept: Use airway, breathing, circulation, and acute-change priorities.
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Question 2. A patient with suspected Clostridioides difficile infection has
frequent watery stools. Which hand hygiene method is most appropriate after
care?
A. Wash with soap and water, following facility guidance
B. Use alcohol hand rub only in every circumstance
C. Skip hand hygiene after removing gloves
D. Wipe hands with a dry paper towel
Correct Answer: A. Wash with soap and water, following facility guidance
Detailed Rationale: C. difficile spores are difficult to remove with alcohol alone; soap-and-
water handwashing is recommended in many clinical situations, alongside contact precautions
and local policy.
Original educational practice resource • Follow current institutional infection-prevention policies
, NU 136 | INFECTION CONTROL & PATIENT SAFETY | 2026/2027
Why B is incorrect: Soap and water is preferred when caring for suspected or confirmed C.
difficile.
Why C is incorrect: Alcohol rub alone may not adequately remove spores.
Why D is incorrect: Gloves do not replace hand hygiene.
Key Nursing Concept: Use organism-specific infection-control guidance.
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Question 3. A patient with suspected tuberculosis is admitted. Which
precaution is appropriate?
A. Airborne precautions and a fit-tested respirator as required
B. Contact precautions only
C. Droplet precautions only in a shared room
D. No precautions until test results return
Correct Answer: A. Airborne precautions and a fit-tested respirator as required
Detailed Rationale: Suspected pulmonary tuberculosis requires prompt airborne precautions,
appropriate room placement, and respiratory protection according to policy.
Why B is incorrect: Contact precautions alone do not address airborne transmission.
Why C is incorrect: Droplet precautions alone are insufficient for suspected pulmonary TB.
Why D is incorrect: Precautions should begin based on suspicion and risk, not wait for
confirmation.
Key Nursing Concept: Initiate indicated precautions promptly and follow infection-control
policy.
──────────────────────────────────────────
Question 4. Which action is appropriate when removing personal protective
equipment after patient care?
A. Remove PPE carefully to avoid self-contamination and perform hand hygiene
B. Touch the front of the gown and mask freely
C. Wear the same gloves to chart at a clean workstation
D. Skip hand hygiene if the PPE appears clean
Original educational practice resource • Follow current institutional infection-prevention policies
, NU 136 | INFECTION CONTROL & PATIENT SAFETY | 2026/2027
Correct Answer: A. Remove PPE carefully to avoid self-contamination and perform hand
hygiene
Detailed Rationale: Careful doffing and hand hygiene reduce transfer of organisms from
contaminated PPE to the nurse or environment.
Why B is incorrect: The front of used PPE may be contaminated.
Why C is incorrect: Gloves should not be used to touch clean work areas.
Why D is incorrect: PPE appearance does not determine whether hand hygiene is needed.
Key Nursing Concept: Follow the posted sequence and facility protocol.
──────────────────────────────────────────
Question 5. A nurse documents a patient's statement. Which entry is best?
A. Patient states, “I feel dizzy when I stand.”
B. Patient is probably exaggerating
C. Patient is being difficult today
D. Patient seems normal
Correct Answer: A. Patient states, “I feel dizzy when I stand.”
Detailed Rationale: The entry uses the patient's own words and records a specific symptom
without judgment.
Why B is incorrect: This is a judgment rather than an observation.
Why C is incorrect: This is judgmental and not clinically useful.
Why D is incorrect: This is vague and lacks supporting assessment data.
Key Nursing Concept: Document objective findings and attributed subjective reports.
──────────────────────────────────────────
Question 6. Which task is most appropriate to delegate to trained assistive
personnel for a stable patient?
A. Measure and report routine vital signs
B. Perform the initial nursing assessment
C. Develop the nursing care plan
D. Evaluate the patient's response to a new medication
Original educational practice resource • Follow current institutional infection-prevention policies
NU 136
INFECTION CONTROL & PATIENT SAFETY PRACTICE
EXAM
(2026/2027)
Nursing Review • Infection Prevention, Safety, Questions &
Detailed Rationales
EXAM OVERVIEW
• 54 original A–D practice questions
• Correct answers, detailed rationales, and explanations of incorrect options
• Consolidated answer key, high-yield review checklist, and five-session study plan
• Topics include clinical priorities, infection prevention, medication safety, assessment, basic
care, communication, ethics, and delegation
Educational note: This is an original educational practice resource, not an official or guaranteed
exam. NU 136 coverage varies by institution; confirm topics with your current syllabus,
instructor guidance, and assigned materials.
Original educational practice resource • Follow current institutional infection-prevention policies
, NU 136 | INFECTION CONTROL & PATIENT SAFETY | 2026/2027
INFECTION CONTROL & PATIENT SAFETY QUESTIONS
Question 1. A nurse receives report on four patients. Which patient should be
assessed first?
A. A patient with new stridor after surgery
B. A patient requesting help with a meal tray
C. A patient with chronic knee pain rated 4/10
D. A patient awaiting routine discharge teaching
Correct Answer: A. A patient with new stridor after surgery
Detailed Rationale: Stridor can indicate upper-airway obstruction and requires immediate
assessment and emergency response.
Why B is incorrect: The other needs are important but are not as immediately life-
threatening.
Why C is incorrect: Meal assistance can wait until the airway threat is addressed.
Why D is incorrect: Chronic, moderate pain is less urgent than a potential airway emergency.
Key Nursing Concept: Use airway, breathing, circulation, and acute-change priorities.
──────────────────────────────────────────
Question 2. A patient with suspected Clostridioides difficile infection has
frequent watery stools. Which hand hygiene method is most appropriate after
care?
A. Wash with soap and water, following facility guidance
B. Use alcohol hand rub only in every circumstance
C. Skip hand hygiene after removing gloves
D. Wipe hands with a dry paper towel
Correct Answer: A. Wash with soap and water, following facility guidance
Detailed Rationale: C. difficile spores are difficult to remove with alcohol alone; soap-and-
water handwashing is recommended in many clinical situations, alongside contact precautions
and local policy.
Original educational practice resource • Follow current institutional infection-prevention policies
, NU 136 | INFECTION CONTROL & PATIENT SAFETY | 2026/2027
Why B is incorrect: Soap and water is preferred when caring for suspected or confirmed C.
difficile.
Why C is incorrect: Alcohol rub alone may not adequately remove spores.
Why D is incorrect: Gloves do not replace hand hygiene.
Key Nursing Concept: Use organism-specific infection-control guidance.
──────────────────────────────────────────
Question 3. A patient with suspected tuberculosis is admitted. Which
precaution is appropriate?
A. Airborne precautions and a fit-tested respirator as required
B. Contact precautions only
C. Droplet precautions only in a shared room
D. No precautions until test results return
Correct Answer: A. Airborne precautions and a fit-tested respirator as required
Detailed Rationale: Suspected pulmonary tuberculosis requires prompt airborne precautions,
appropriate room placement, and respiratory protection according to policy.
Why B is incorrect: Contact precautions alone do not address airborne transmission.
Why C is incorrect: Droplet precautions alone are insufficient for suspected pulmonary TB.
Why D is incorrect: Precautions should begin based on suspicion and risk, not wait for
confirmation.
Key Nursing Concept: Initiate indicated precautions promptly and follow infection-control
policy.
──────────────────────────────────────────
Question 4. Which action is appropriate when removing personal protective
equipment after patient care?
A. Remove PPE carefully to avoid self-contamination and perform hand hygiene
B. Touch the front of the gown and mask freely
C. Wear the same gloves to chart at a clean workstation
D. Skip hand hygiene if the PPE appears clean
Original educational practice resource • Follow current institutional infection-prevention policies
, NU 136 | INFECTION CONTROL & PATIENT SAFETY | 2026/2027
Correct Answer: A. Remove PPE carefully to avoid self-contamination and perform hand
hygiene
Detailed Rationale: Careful doffing and hand hygiene reduce transfer of organisms from
contaminated PPE to the nurse or environment.
Why B is incorrect: The front of used PPE may be contaminated.
Why C is incorrect: Gloves should not be used to touch clean work areas.
Why D is incorrect: PPE appearance does not determine whether hand hygiene is needed.
Key Nursing Concept: Follow the posted sequence and facility protocol.
──────────────────────────────────────────
Question 5. A nurse documents a patient's statement. Which entry is best?
A. Patient states, “I feel dizzy when I stand.”
B. Patient is probably exaggerating
C. Patient is being difficult today
D. Patient seems normal
Correct Answer: A. Patient states, “I feel dizzy when I stand.”
Detailed Rationale: The entry uses the patient's own words and records a specific symptom
without judgment.
Why B is incorrect: This is a judgment rather than an observation.
Why C is incorrect: This is judgmental and not clinically useful.
Why D is incorrect: This is vague and lacks supporting assessment data.
Key Nursing Concept: Document objective findings and attributed subjective reports.
──────────────────────────────────────────
Question 6. Which task is most appropriate to delegate to trained assistive
personnel for a stable patient?
A. Measure and report routine vital signs
B. Perform the initial nursing assessment
C. Develop the nursing care plan
D. Evaluate the patient's response to a new medication
Original educational practice resource • Follow current institutional infection-prevention policies
