NURS 101L | Hand Hygiene & Infection Control Skills Mastery 2026
|WCU
1. According to the CDC, which is the preferred method for hand hygiene when
hands are not visibly soiled in a clinical setting?
A. Washing with antimicrobial soap and water
B. Alcohol-based hand rub
C. Washing with plain soap and water
D. Using iodine-based antiseptic wipes
Answer: B
Rationale: For non-visibly soiled hands, alcohol-based hand rubs are preferred because
they are more effective at reducing bacterial counts, are faster, and cause less skin
irritation than soap and water.
2. The nurse is caring for a patient with a confirmed Clostridium difficile
infection. Which hand hygiene action is mandatory?
A. Using alcohol-based hand rub for at least 30 seconds
B. Washing hands with soap and water exclusively
C. Using a combination of alcohol rub and then soap and water
D. Applying sterile gloves before entering the room
Answer: B
Rationale: C. difficile spores are resistant to alcohol. Physical friction and rinsing with soap
and water are required to mechanically remove spores from the skin.
,3. When performing hand hygiene with soap and water, what is the minimum
duration recommended for scrubbing all surfaces of the hands?
A. 10 seconds
B. 15 seconds
C. 45 seconds
D. 20 seconds
Answer: D
Rationale: Current CDC and WHO guidelines recommend scrubbing all surfaces of the
hands with soap for at least 20 seconds.
4. Which of the following describes ‘Moment 1’ of the WHO Five Moments for
Hand Hygiene?
A. After touching a patient
B. After touching patient surroundings
C. Before a clean/aseptic procedure
D. Before touching a patient
Answer: D
Rationale: Moment 1 is ‘Before touching a patient’ to protect the patient against harmful
germs carried on the hands.
5. During the donning sequence for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which
item should typically be applied first?
A. Gloves
B. Mask or Respirator
C. Goggles or Face Shield
D. Gown
Answer: D
Rationale: The standard donning sequence recommended by the CDC is: Gown,
Mask/Respirator, Goggles/Shield, and then Gloves.
, 6. When doffing PPE, which item is generally removed first if it is visibly
contaminated?
A. Gloves
B. Mask
C. Goggles
D. Gown
Answer: A
Rationale: Gloves are considered the most contaminated item and are removed first to
prevent contaminating the skin or other PPE during the removal process.
7. A patient is admitted with suspected Pulmonary Tuberculosis. Which type of
isolation precaution should the nurse initiate?
A. Contact Precautions
B. Droplet Precautions
C. Protective Environment
D. Airborne Precautions
Answer: D
Rationale: Tuberculosis is transmitted via small droplets that remain suspended in the air;
therefore, Airborne Precautions (including an N95 respirator and negative pressure room)
are required.
8. What is the required PPE for a nurse entering a room of a patient on Droplet
Precautions for Influenza?
A. Surgical mask and gloves
B. N95 respirator and gloves
C. Gown and gloves only
D. Surgical mask, gown, and goggles
Answer: A
|WCU
1. According to the CDC, which is the preferred method for hand hygiene when
hands are not visibly soiled in a clinical setting?
A. Washing with antimicrobial soap and water
B. Alcohol-based hand rub
C. Washing with plain soap and water
D. Using iodine-based antiseptic wipes
Answer: B
Rationale: For non-visibly soiled hands, alcohol-based hand rubs are preferred because
they are more effective at reducing bacterial counts, are faster, and cause less skin
irritation than soap and water.
2. The nurse is caring for a patient with a confirmed Clostridium difficile
infection. Which hand hygiene action is mandatory?
A. Using alcohol-based hand rub for at least 30 seconds
B. Washing hands with soap and water exclusively
C. Using a combination of alcohol rub and then soap and water
D. Applying sterile gloves before entering the room
Answer: B
Rationale: C. difficile spores are resistant to alcohol. Physical friction and rinsing with soap
and water are required to mechanically remove spores from the skin.
,3. When performing hand hygiene with soap and water, what is the minimum
duration recommended for scrubbing all surfaces of the hands?
A. 10 seconds
B. 15 seconds
C. 45 seconds
D. 20 seconds
Answer: D
Rationale: Current CDC and WHO guidelines recommend scrubbing all surfaces of the
hands with soap for at least 20 seconds.
4. Which of the following describes ‘Moment 1’ of the WHO Five Moments for
Hand Hygiene?
A. After touching a patient
B. After touching patient surroundings
C. Before a clean/aseptic procedure
D. Before touching a patient
Answer: D
Rationale: Moment 1 is ‘Before touching a patient’ to protect the patient against harmful
germs carried on the hands.
5. During the donning sequence for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which
item should typically be applied first?
A. Gloves
B. Mask or Respirator
C. Goggles or Face Shield
D. Gown
Answer: D
Rationale: The standard donning sequence recommended by the CDC is: Gown,
Mask/Respirator, Goggles/Shield, and then Gloves.
, 6. When doffing PPE, which item is generally removed first if it is visibly
contaminated?
A. Gloves
B. Mask
C. Goggles
D. Gown
Answer: A
Rationale: Gloves are considered the most contaminated item and are removed first to
prevent contaminating the skin or other PPE during the removal process.
7. A patient is admitted with suspected Pulmonary Tuberculosis. Which type of
isolation precaution should the nurse initiate?
A. Contact Precautions
B. Droplet Precautions
C. Protective Environment
D. Airborne Precautions
Answer: D
Rationale: Tuberculosis is transmitted via small droplets that remain suspended in the air;
therefore, Airborne Precautions (including an N95 respirator and negative pressure room)
are required.
8. What is the required PPE for a nurse entering a room of a patient on Droplet
Precautions for Influenza?
A. Surgical mask and gloves
B. N95 respirator and gloves
C. Gown and gloves only
D. Surgical mask, gown, and goggles
Answer: A
