NCLEX RN Safety & Infection Control
Practice Exam 2 Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. Standard Precautions
A nurse is caring for a client who has a wound infected with methicillin-
resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The nurse removes the soiled
dressing and discards it. Which action should the nurse take next?
A. Apply a clean dressing using clean gloves.
B. Don sterile gloves before touching the wound.
C. Perform hand hygiene and put on clean gloves.
D. Wash hands and leave the wound open to air.
Answer: C. Perform hand hygiene and put on clean gloves.
Rationale: Standard precautions require hand hygiene immediately after
removing soiled gloves and before donning a new pair. MRSA is spread by
contact; clean gloves are sufficient for a routine dressing change on a draining
wound unless a sterile procedure is indicated. Hand hygiene is the most critical
step to prevent transmission. Sterile gloves are used only when the procedure
demands a sterile field, such as during a sterile wound dressing change on a
fresh surgical wound, not necessarily for a colonized wound with MRSA. Leaving
the wound open to air is not a standard practice. Applying a clean dressing
without first cleansing hands and donning fresh gloves risks cross-
contamination.
2. Hand Hygiene
The nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene with soap and water. Which
, technique best ensures removal of transient flora?
A. Wash for 5 seconds and rinse thoroughly.
B. Apply alcohol-based hand rub for 20 seconds.
C. Rub all surfaces of the hands for at least 20 seconds.
D. Use hot water to maximize microbial kill.
Answer: C. Rub all surfaces of the hands for at least 20 seconds.
Rationale: When washing with soap and water, the mechanical friction of
rubbing all hand surfaces together for a minimum of 20 seconds is essential to
dislodge and remove transient microorganisms. A 5-second wash is inadequate.
Alcohol-based hand rubs are effective, but the question specifies soap and
water; alcohol rubs are not a substitute when hands are visibly soiled or with
certain organisms like Clostridioides difficile. Hot water can damage skin and
does not significantly increase microbial kill; warm water is recommended to
prevent skin irritation that can harbor pathogens.
3. Alcohol-Based Hand Rub
A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene using an alcohol-based hand
rub. Which action indicates the need for further education?
A. Applying the rub to dry hands.
B. Rubbing until the hands are completely dry.
C. Washing with soap and water first to remove visible soil.
D. Using the rub immediately after caring for a client with C. difficile.
Answer: D. Using the rub immediately after caring for a client with C. difficile.
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand rubs are not effective against the spores of
Clostridioides difficile. After caring for a client with known or suspected C.
difficile infection, the nurse must wash hands with soap and water to physically
remove spores. Applying the rub to dry hands, rubbing until dry, and washing
with soap and water when hands are visibly soiled are all correct practices. The
need for soap and water with C. difficile is a critical safety point; failure to do so
places subsequent clients at risk for infection.
4. Donning Personal Protective Equipment
A nurse is preparing to enter a room where a client requires contact and
, droplet precautions. Place the following PPE in the correct order for
donning.
A. Gown, mask, goggles, gloves
B. Gown, mask, gloves, goggles
C. Mask, gown, goggles, gloves
D. Gloves, gown, mask, goggles
Answer: A. Gown, mask, goggles, gloves.
Rationale: The correct sequence for donning PPE is to put on the gown first, then
the mask or respirator, then eye protection (goggles or face shield), and finally
gloves. This order minimizes contamination of the face and ensures the gloves
are put on last, covering the cuff of the gown to create a continuous barrier.
Gloves are always donned last because they are the most contaminated piece
and are removed first. Any other sequence increases the risk of self-
contamination during application.
5. Doffing Personal Protective Equipment
After providing care to a client on contact precautions, the nurse prepares
to remove PPE. Which action does the nurse perform first?
A. Remove mask.
B. Remove gloves.
C. Remove gown.
D. Remove eye protection.
Answer: B. Remove gloves.
Rationale: Gloves are considered the most contaminated piece of PPE and
should be removed first to prevent contamination of other items or the face.
After gloves, the gown is removed (turning it inside out), followed by eye
protection, and finally the mask or respirator. Hand hygiene must be performed
immediately after glove removal. If gloves are removed later, contamination of
the uniform or skin may occur during the removal of other items. The sequence
is designed to limit the spread of infectious agents to the healthcare worker.
6. Tuberculosis Precautions
A nurse is preparing a room for a newly admitted client with suspected
, active pulmonary tuberculosis. Which type of precautions should the nurse
initiate?
A. Contact precautions
B. Droplet precautions
C. Airborne precautions
D. Standard precautions only
Answer: C. Airborne precautions.
Rationale: Pulmonary tuberculosis is transmitted via small droplet nuclei that
remain suspended in the air. Airborne precautions require a negative-pressure
airborne infection isolation room (AIIR), use of a fit-tested N95 respirator or
powered air-purifying respirator for all healthcare personnel entering the room,
and limiting transport of the client. Droplet precautions are for larger
respiratory droplets (e.g., influenza, pertussis) that do not remain airborne over
long distances. Contact precautions are for organisms spread by direct or
indirect contact. Standard precautions are used for all clients, but additional
airborne precautions are necessary for TB.
7. Negative Pressure Room
The nurse is caring for a client in airborne precautions for tuberculosis.
Which finding indicates that the negative-pressure room is functioning
correctly?
A. Air flows from the hallway into the client room.
B. The door to the room is kept open to enhance ventilation.
C. A tissue is pulled away from the door when the door is ajar.
D. The air exchange rate is set at 2 air changes per hour.
Answer: A. Air flows from the hallway into the client room.
Rationale: A negative-pressure room draws air into the room from the corridor
when the door is opened, preventing contaminated air from escaping into the
hallway. Air should flow from clean to less clean areas. Keeping the door closed
is essential to maintain negative pressure. A tissue pulled away from the door
would indicate positive pressure, which is incorrect. The recommended air
Practice Exam 2 Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. Standard Precautions
A nurse is caring for a client who has a wound infected with methicillin-
resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The nurse removes the soiled
dressing and discards it. Which action should the nurse take next?
A. Apply a clean dressing using clean gloves.
B. Don sterile gloves before touching the wound.
C. Perform hand hygiene and put on clean gloves.
D. Wash hands and leave the wound open to air.
Answer: C. Perform hand hygiene and put on clean gloves.
Rationale: Standard precautions require hand hygiene immediately after
removing soiled gloves and before donning a new pair. MRSA is spread by
contact; clean gloves are sufficient for a routine dressing change on a draining
wound unless a sterile procedure is indicated. Hand hygiene is the most critical
step to prevent transmission. Sterile gloves are used only when the procedure
demands a sterile field, such as during a sterile wound dressing change on a
fresh surgical wound, not necessarily for a colonized wound with MRSA. Leaving
the wound open to air is not a standard practice. Applying a clean dressing
without first cleansing hands and donning fresh gloves risks cross-
contamination.
2. Hand Hygiene
The nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene with soap and water. Which
, technique best ensures removal of transient flora?
A. Wash for 5 seconds and rinse thoroughly.
B. Apply alcohol-based hand rub for 20 seconds.
C. Rub all surfaces of the hands for at least 20 seconds.
D. Use hot water to maximize microbial kill.
Answer: C. Rub all surfaces of the hands for at least 20 seconds.
Rationale: When washing with soap and water, the mechanical friction of
rubbing all hand surfaces together for a minimum of 20 seconds is essential to
dislodge and remove transient microorganisms. A 5-second wash is inadequate.
Alcohol-based hand rubs are effective, but the question specifies soap and
water; alcohol rubs are not a substitute when hands are visibly soiled or with
certain organisms like Clostridioides difficile. Hot water can damage skin and
does not significantly increase microbial kill; warm water is recommended to
prevent skin irritation that can harbor pathogens.
3. Alcohol-Based Hand Rub
A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene using an alcohol-based hand
rub. Which action indicates the need for further education?
A. Applying the rub to dry hands.
B. Rubbing until the hands are completely dry.
C. Washing with soap and water first to remove visible soil.
D. Using the rub immediately after caring for a client with C. difficile.
Answer: D. Using the rub immediately after caring for a client with C. difficile.
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand rubs are not effective against the spores of
Clostridioides difficile. After caring for a client with known or suspected C.
difficile infection, the nurse must wash hands with soap and water to physically
remove spores. Applying the rub to dry hands, rubbing until dry, and washing
with soap and water when hands are visibly soiled are all correct practices. The
need for soap and water with C. difficile is a critical safety point; failure to do so
places subsequent clients at risk for infection.
4. Donning Personal Protective Equipment
A nurse is preparing to enter a room where a client requires contact and
, droplet precautions. Place the following PPE in the correct order for
donning.
A. Gown, mask, goggles, gloves
B. Gown, mask, gloves, goggles
C. Mask, gown, goggles, gloves
D. Gloves, gown, mask, goggles
Answer: A. Gown, mask, goggles, gloves.
Rationale: The correct sequence for donning PPE is to put on the gown first, then
the mask or respirator, then eye protection (goggles or face shield), and finally
gloves. This order minimizes contamination of the face and ensures the gloves
are put on last, covering the cuff of the gown to create a continuous barrier.
Gloves are always donned last because they are the most contaminated piece
and are removed first. Any other sequence increases the risk of self-
contamination during application.
5. Doffing Personal Protective Equipment
After providing care to a client on contact precautions, the nurse prepares
to remove PPE. Which action does the nurse perform first?
A. Remove mask.
B. Remove gloves.
C. Remove gown.
D. Remove eye protection.
Answer: B. Remove gloves.
Rationale: Gloves are considered the most contaminated piece of PPE and
should be removed first to prevent contamination of other items or the face.
After gloves, the gown is removed (turning it inside out), followed by eye
protection, and finally the mask or respirator. Hand hygiene must be performed
immediately after glove removal. If gloves are removed later, contamination of
the uniform or skin may occur during the removal of other items. The sequence
is designed to limit the spread of infectious agents to the healthcare worker.
6. Tuberculosis Precautions
A nurse is preparing a room for a newly admitted client with suspected
, active pulmonary tuberculosis. Which type of precautions should the nurse
initiate?
A. Contact precautions
B. Droplet precautions
C. Airborne precautions
D. Standard precautions only
Answer: C. Airborne precautions.
Rationale: Pulmonary tuberculosis is transmitted via small droplet nuclei that
remain suspended in the air. Airborne precautions require a negative-pressure
airborne infection isolation room (AIIR), use of a fit-tested N95 respirator or
powered air-purifying respirator for all healthcare personnel entering the room,
and limiting transport of the client. Droplet precautions are for larger
respiratory droplets (e.g., influenza, pertussis) that do not remain airborne over
long distances. Contact precautions are for organisms spread by direct or
indirect contact. Standard precautions are used for all clients, but additional
airborne precautions are necessary for TB.
7. Negative Pressure Room
The nurse is caring for a client in airborne precautions for tuberculosis.
Which finding indicates that the negative-pressure room is functioning
correctly?
A. Air flows from the hallway into the client room.
B. The door to the room is kept open to enhance ventilation.
C. A tissue is pulled away from the door when the door is ajar.
D. The air exchange rate is set at 2 air changes per hour.
Answer: A. Air flows from the hallway into the client room.
Rationale: A negative-pressure room draws air into the room from the corridor
when the door is opened, preventing contaminated air from escaping into the
hallway. Air should flow from clean to less clean areas. Keeping the door closed
is essential to maintain negative pressure. A tissue pulled away from the door
would indicate positive pressure, which is incorrect. The recommended air
