NURS 230 Exam 1 Questions and All
Correct Answers 2026 Updated.
asepsis - Answer -formerly referred to as medical asepsis
-otherwise known as "clean technique"
-major concern of healthcare facilities
-prevention of infection is a major focus for nurses
-nurses are responsible for identifying, preventing, controlling and teaching about infection
What procedures are used to reduce and prevent the spread of microorganisms? - Answer
hand washing
changing linen
using clean equipment
What are the 6 components of the infection cycle? - Answer 1. infectious agent
2. reservoir
3. portal of exit
4. means of transmission
5. portal of entry
6. susceptible host
infectious agent - Answer -bacteria: most common observed infection in health care, can be
aerobic or anaerobic, gram positive or gram negative; most antibiotics are effective for gram
positive organisms
-virus: smallest of microorganisms; e.g. cold, HIV
-fungi: found in air, soil, water; e.g. Ringworm, yeast infections
-parasites: organisms that live on hosts and rely on host for nourishment
reservoir - Answer place where the microorganism is comfortable; other humans, soil, water,
animals
portal of exit - Answer means that the organism can escape from reservoir; GU tract, GI tract,
respiratory system, skin
means of transmission - Answer -direct contact: touching; close contact between susceptible
host and infected person (touching, kissing, etc.)
, -indirect contact: touching contaminated objects (blood, food, water fomites [countertop,
equipment, ID badge, etc.)
-airborne route/droplets: coughs, sneezes, talking
portal of entry - Answer -organism must find a portal of entry to a host or it will die
-GU, GI, respiratory tract
-Portal of entry is often same as portal of exit
susceptible host - Answer -microorganisms can only survive if they overcome resistance from
the host's defense (immune system)
-easier to do in older adults, neonates, chronically ill individuals
An elderly patient, hospitalized with a gastrointestinal disorder, was on bed rest and required
assistance for activities of daily living. The patient had frequent uncontrolled diarrhea stools and
the nurse provided excellent care to maintain cleanliness and comfort. Following one episode of
cleaning the patient and changing the bed linen, the nurse immediately went to a second
patient to provide care. The nurse's hands were not washed before assisting the second patient.
What are the six steps in the cycle of infection in this scenario? - Answer 1. Infectious agent:
Escherichia coli
2. Reservoir: GI tract of patient (large intestine, normal intestinal flora)
3. Portal of exit: GI tract in stool
4. Mode of transmission: direct contact (nurse touches patient/soiled linens)
5. Portal of entry: Meatus/urinary bladder (GU tract) of patient with Foley catheter (nurse
touched tubing of catheter while giving morning care)
6. Susceptible host: Patient with Foley catheter is elderly with chronic illness necessitating
complete bed rest. Foley catheter provides direct route to urinary bladder.
Stages of infection - Answer 1. incubation period
2. prodromal stage
3. full stage of illness
4. convalescent period
incubation period - Answer -period between pathogen's invasion of the body and the
appearance of symptoms
-length of incubation may vary
prodromal stage - Answer -early signs and symptoms are present, but vague (fatigue to low
grade fever); still able to function
-lasts several hours to several days
Correct Answers 2026 Updated.
asepsis - Answer -formerly referred to as medical asepsis
-otherwise known as "clean technique"
-major concern of healthcare facilities
-prevention of infection is a major focus for nurses
-nurses are responsible for identifying, preventing, controlling and teaching about infection
What procedures are used to reduce and prevent the spread of microorganisms? - Answer
hand washing
changing linen
using clean equipment
What are the 6 components of the infection cycle? - Answer 1. infectious agent
2. reservoir
3. portal of exit
4. means of transmission
5. portal of entry
6. susceptible host
infectious agent - Answer -bacteria: most common observed infection in health care, can be
aerobic or anaerobic, gram positive or gram negative; most antibiotics are effective for gram
positive organisms
-virus: smallest of microorganisms; e.g. cold, HIV
-fungi: found in air, soil, water; e.g. Ringworm, yeast infections
-parasites: organisms that live on hosts and rely on host for nourishment
reservoir - Answer place where the microorganism is comfortable; other humans, soil, water,
animals
portal of exit - Answer means that the organism can escape from reservoir; GU tract, GI tract,
respiratory system, skin
means of transmission - Answer -direct contact: touching; close contact between susceptible
host and infected person (touching, kissing, etc.)
, -indirect contact: touching contaminated objects (blood, food, water fomites [countertop,
equipment, ID badge, etc.)
-airborne route/droplets: coughs, sneezes, talking
portal of entry - Answer -organism must find a portal of entry to a host or it will die
-GU, GI, respiratory tract
-Portal of entry is often same as portal of exit
susceptible host - Answer -microorganisms can only survive if they overcome resistance from
the host's defense (immune system)
-easier to do in older adults, neonates, chronically ill individuals
An elderly patient, hospitalized with a gastrointestinal disorder, was on bed rest and required
assistance for activities of daily living. The patient had frequent uncontrolled diarrhea stools and
the nurse provided excellent care to maintain cleanliness and comfort. Following one episode of
cleaning the patient and changing the bed linen, the nurse immediately went to a second
patient to provide care. The nurse's hands were not washed before assisting the second patient.
What are the six steps in the cycle of infection in this scenario? - Answer 1. Infectious agent:
Escherichia coli
2. Reservoir: GI tract of patient (large intestine, normal intestinal flora)
3. Portal of exit: GI tract in stool
4. Mode of transmission: direct contact (nurse touches patient/soiled linens)
5. Portal of entry: Meatus/urinary bladder (GU tract) of patient with Foley catheter (nurse
touched tubing of catheter while giving morning care)
6. Susceptible host: Patient with Foley catheter is elderly with chronic illness necessitating
complete bed rest. Foley catheter provides direct route to urinary bladder.
Stages of infection - Answer 1. incubation period
2. prodromal stage
3. full stage of illness
4. convalescent period
incubation period - Answer -period between pathogen's invasion of the body and the
appearance of symptoms
-length of incubation may vary
prodromal stage - Answer -early signs and symptoms are present, but vague (fatigue to low
grade fever); still able to function
-lasts several hours to several days
