NURS 121L-A: Infection Control & Isolation Precautions (2026 Update)
WCU
1. When preparing to enter the room of a patient diagnosed with disseminated
Herpes Zoster, which combination of precautions must the nurse implement?
A. Contact and Airborne precautions
B. Standard and Droplet precautions
C. Contact and Droplet precautions
D. Standard precautions only
Answer: A
Rationale: Disseminated Herpes Zoster requires both Airborne and Contact precautions
due to the potential for aerosolization of the virus from lesions and direct contact
transmission.
2. According to the 2026 updated guidelines for Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE) doffing, which sequence is most effective at reducing self-contamination?
A. Mask, Gown, Goggles, Gloves
B. Gown, Gloves, Mask, Goggles
C. Gloves, Goggles, Gown, Mask
D. Gloves, Mask, Gown, Goggles
Answer: C
Rationale: The correct doffing sequence is Gloves, Goggles/Face Shield, Gown, and then
Mask/Respirator to ensure the most contaminated items are removed first.
,3. A patient with Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) is being discharged. Which agent
is required for environmental cleaning of the room to ensure spore eradication?
A. 70% Isopropyl Alcohol
B. Chlorhexidine Gluconate
C. Quaternary Ammonium
D. Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach)
Answer: D
Rationale: C. diff spores are resistant to many disinfectants; a bleach-based solution is
required for effective environmental decontamination.
4. In a medical-surgical unit, which action by the nurse represents the ‘golden
rule’ of surgical asepsis?
A. Keeping sterile gloved hands above the waist level at all times.
B. Wearing a surgical mask while performing a simple dressing change.
C. Cleaning the wound from the outer edges toward the center.
D. Placing sterile items on the very edge of the sterile field.
B. Wearing a surgical mask while performing a simple dressing change.
Answer: A
Rationale: In surgical asepsis, any sterile object held below the waist or out of sight is
considered contaminated.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient on Airborne precautions. What is a specific
requirement for the patient’s room environment?
A. Positive pressure airflow with 6 exchanges per hour.
B. Negative pressure airflow with 6 to 12 exchanges per hour.
C. Standard ventilation with the door left open for air circulation.
D. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration of incoming air only.
Answer: B
, Rationale: Airborne infection isolation rooms (AIIR) must have negative pressure and at
least 6-12 air exchanges per hour to prevent contaminated air from escaping into the
hallway.
6. During the transport of a patient who requires Droplet precautions to the
radiology department, which action is mandatory?
A. The nurse must wear an N95 respirator during transport.
B. The patient must wear an N95 respirator.
C. The radiology suite must be closed for 1 hour after the patient leaves.
D. The patient must wear a surgical mask.
Answer: D
Rationale: For patients on Droplet or Airborne precautions, the patient should wear a
mask (surgical for droplet) during transport to contain respiratory secretions.
7. Which clinical scenario requires the nurse to perform hand hygiene
specifically with soap and water rather than alcohol-based hand rub?
A. After touching the patient’s intact skin to take a pulse.
B. When the nurse’s hands are visibly soiled with blood or body fluids.
C. Before donning sterile gloves for a catheter insertion.
D. After removing non-sterile gloves used during a bed bath.
Answer: B
Rationale: Alcohol-based rubs are not effective when hands are visibly soiled or when
dealing with spore-forming organisms like C. diff; soap and water is required.
WCU
1. When preparing to enter the room of a patient diagnosed with disseminated
Herpes Zoster, which combination of precautions must the nurse implement?
A. Contact and Airborne precautions
B. Standard and Droplet precautions
C. Contact and Droplet precautions
D. Standard precautions only
Answer: A
Rationale: Disseminated Herpes Zoster requires both Airborne and Contact precautions
due to the potential for aerosolization of the virus from lesions and direct contact
transmission.
2. According to the 2026 updated guidelines for Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE) doffing, which sequence is most effective at reducing self-contamination?
A. Mask, Gown, Goggles, Gloves
B. Gown, Gloves, Mask, Goggles
C. Gloves, Goggles, Gown, Mask
D. Gloves, Mask, Gown, Goggles
Answer: C
Rationale: The correct doffing sequence is Gloves, Goggles/Face Shield, Gown, and then
Mask/Respirator to ensure the most contaminated items are removed first.
,3. A patient with Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) is being discharged. Which agent
is required for environmental cleaning of the room to ensure spore eradication?
A. 70% Isopropyl Alcohol
B. Chlorhexidine Gluconate
C. Quaternary Ammonium
D. Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach)
Answer: D
Rationale: C. diff spores are resistant to many disinfectants; a bleach-based solution is
required for effective environmental decontamination.
4. In a medical-surgical unit, which action by the nurse represents the ‘golden
rule’ of surgical asepsis?
A. Keeping sterile gloved hands above the waist level at all times.
B. Wearing a surgical mask while performing a simple dressing change.
C. Cleaning the wound from the outer edges toward the center.
D. Placing sterile items on the very edge of the sterile field.
B. Wearing a surgical mask while performing a simple dressing change.
Answer: A
Rationale: In surgical asepsis, any sterile object held below the waist or out of sight is
considered contaminated.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient on Airborne precautions. What is a specific
requirement for the patient’s room environment?
A. Positive pressure airflow with 6 exchanges per hour.
B. Negative pressure airflow with 6 to 12 exchanges per hour.
C. Standard ventilation with the door left open for air circulation.
D. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration of incoming air only.
Answer: B
, Rationale: Airborne infection isolation rooms (AIIR) must have negative pressure and at
least 6-12 air exchanges per hour to prevent contaminated air from escaping into the
hallway.
6. During the transport of a patient who requires Droplet precautions to the
radiology department, which action is mandatory?
A. The nurse must wear an N95 respirator during transport.
B. The patient must wear an N95 respirator.
C. The radiology suite must be closed for 1 hour after the patient leaves.
D. The patient must wear a surgical mask.
Answer: D
Rationale: For patients on Droplet or Airborne precautions, the patient should wear a
mask (surgical for droplet) during transport to contain respiratory secretions.
7. Which clinical scenario requires the nurse to perform hand hygiene
specifically with soap and water rather than alcohol-based hand rub?
A. After touching the patient’s intact skin to take a pulse.
B. When the nurse’s hands are visibly soiled with blood or body fluids.
C. Before donning sterile gloves for a catheter insertion.
D. After removing non-sterile gloves used during a bed bath.
Answer: B
Rationale: Alcohol-based rubs are not effective when hands are visibly soiled or when
dealing with spore-forming organisms like C. diff; soap and water is required.
