NCLEX RN Safety & Infection Control
Practice Exam 1 Questions And Correct
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Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. A nurse is caring for a client with active pulmonary tuberculosis. Which type
of isolation precautions should be implemented?
A. Contact precautions
B. Droplet precautions
C. Airborne precautions
D. Standard precautions only
C. Airborne precautions
Tuberculosis is transmitted via small airborne droplet nuclei that can remain
suspended in the air for long periods. Airborne precautions require a
negative-pressure room, an N95 respirator or powered air-purifying respirator,
and limiting the client’s movement outside the room. Contact precautions
(option A) are used for organisms spread by direct or indirect contact, such as
MRSA or C. difficile. Droplet precautions (option B) are for larger respiratory
droplets that travel short distances, such as influenza or pertussis. Standard
precautions (option D) are applied to all clients but are insufficient alone for
airborne pathogens.
2. The nurse is preparing to perform a sterile dressing change. Which action, if
taken by the nurse, indicates a break in sterile technique?
A. Opening a sterile package away from the body
B. Keeping the sterile field above waist level
, C. Reaching over the sterile field to discard a soiled dressing
D. Using sterile forceps to handle sterile supplies
C. Reaching over the sterile field to discard a soiled dressing
Reaching over a sterile field contaminates it because dust, lint, or
microorganisms from the nurse’s clothing or unsterile arm can fall onto the field.
The sterile field must be kept above the waist and in view at all times. Opening a
sterile package away from the body (option A) is correct; the flap nearest the
body is opened last to avoid reaching over. Keeping the field above waist level
(option B) maintains sterility. Sterile forceps (option D) are used to transfer
sterile items without direct hand contact and are appropriate.
3. A nurse receives a needlestick injury after administering an intramuscular
injection. What is the first action the nurse should take?
A. Report the incident to the supervisor
B. Complete an incident report
C. Wash the site with soap and water
D. Obtain the source patient’s blood for testing
C. Wash the site with soap and water
Immediately after a needlestick or sharps injury, the nurse should wash the
puncture site with soap and water or flush mucous membranes with water to
reduce the risk of bloodborne pathogen transmission. Reporting the incident
(option A), completing an incident report (option B), and obtaining source
patient testing (option D) are all necessary steps, but they follow the initial
decontamination of the site. Prompt washing takes priority according to Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
4. The nurse is caring for a client on contact precautions for Clostridioides
difficile infection. Which hand hygiene method is most appropriate after
removing gloves?
A. Alcohol-based hand rub
B. Soap and water
C. Chlorhexidine gluconate solution only
D. No additional hand hygiene is needed
,B. Soap and water
Alcohol-based hand rubs are not reliably effective against C. difficile spores; the
mechanical friction of soap and water is required to physically remove spores
from the hands. Chlorhexidine gluconate (option C) does not kill spores and is
not a substitute for washing with soap and water. Hand hygiene must always be
performed after glove removal (option D is incorrect). Soap and water
handwashing is the standard for all clients with known or suspected C. difficile
infection.
5. The nurse is implementing a plan of care for an older adult client at high risk
for falls. Which intervention should the nurse prioritize?
A. Raise all four side rails at all times
B. Place the bed in the highest position for care
C. Ensure the client’s call light is within reach
D. Apply a vest restraint when the client is alone
C. Ensure the client’s call light is within reach
Maintaining easy access to the call light allows the client to request assistance
before attempting to get up independently, reducing fall risk. Raising all four
side rails (option A) is considered a restraint and can increase the risk of injury if
the client attempts to climb over them. The bed should be kept in the lowest
position with wheels locked (option B incorrect). Vest restraints (option D) are a
physical restraint used only as a last resort when less restrictive measures have
failed, not as a first-line intervention.
6. A client is admitted with suspected meningococcal meningitis. Which
personal protective equipment does the nurse need when providing direct
care within 3 feet of the client?
A. Gloves and gown
B. N95 respirator and face shield
C. Surgical mask and gloves
D. Gown, gloves, and surgical mask
D. Gown, gloves, and surgical mask
Meningococcal meningitis requires droplet precautions, which include a surgical
, mask for close contact, along with standard precautions (gloves and gown if risk
of splashing or soiling). An N95 respirator (option B) is used for airborne
precautions, not droplet. Gloves alone or mask alone are insufficient; both a
mask and gloves with a gown for direct contact are indicated. Option D captures
all components for routine direct care of a client on droplet precautions.
7. A nurse observes smoke coming from an electrical outlet in a client’s room.
Using the RACE fire response protocol, which action should the nurse take
first?
A. Close all doors in the area
B. Activate the fire alarm
C. Extinguish the fire with an appropriate extinguisher
D. Rescue clients who are in immediate danger
D. Rescue clients who are in immediate danger
RACE stands for Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish. The first step is to rescue
(remove) any clients and staff in immediate danger from the fire area. After
rescue, the alarm is activated (option B), then doors are closed to contain the
fire (option A), and finally the fire is extinguished (option C) if it is safe to do so.
8. A nurse is teaching a family about home safety for a client with Alzheimer
disease. Which recommendation is most important to prevent injury?
A. Place rubber mats in the bathtub
B. Install safety locks on doors leading outside
C. Keep a nightlight on in the bathroom
D. Store cleaning supplies under the sink
B. Install safety locks on doors leading outside
Wandering and elopement are serious safety concerns for clients with Alzheimer
disease. Installing locks or alarms on exterior doors prevents the client from
leaving unsupervised and becoming lost. Rubber mats (option A) reduce fall risk
but are not the most urgent elopement safety measure. A nightlight (option C)
helps prevent falls at night. Cleaning supplies (option D) should be locked away,
not stored under an accessible sink, to prevent poisoning.
Practice Exam 1 Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A nurse is caring for a client with active pulmonary tuberculosis. Which type
of isolation precautions should be implemented?
A. Contact precautions
B. Droplet precautions
C. Airborne precautions
D. Standard precautions only
C. Airborne precautions
Tuberculosis is transmitted via small airborne droplet nuclei that can remain
suspended in the air for long periods. Airborne precautions require a
negative-pressure room, an N95 respirator or powered air-purifying respirator,
and limiting the client’s movement outside the room. Contact precautions
(option A) are used for organisms spread by direct or indirect contact, such as
MRSA or C. difficile. Droplet precautions (option B) are for larger respiratory
droplets that travel short distances, such as influenza or pertussis. Standard
precautions (option D) are applied to all clients but are insufficient alone for
airborne pathogens.
2. The nurse is preparing to perform a sterile dressing change. Which action, if
taken by the nurse, indicates a break in sterile technique?
A. Opening a sterile package away from the body
B. Keeping the sterile field above waist level
, C. Reaching over the sterile field to discard a soiled dressing
D. Using sterile forceps to handle sterile supplies
C. Reaching over the sterile field to discard a soiled dressing
Reaching over a sterile field contaminates it because dust, lint, or
microorganisms from the nurse’s clothing or unsterile arm can fall onto the field.
The sterile field must be kept above the waist and in view at all times. Opening a
sterile package away from the body (option A) is correct; the flap nearest the
body is opened last to avoid reaching over. Keeping the field above waist level
(option B) maintains sterility. Sterile forceps (option D) are used to transfer
sterile items without direct hand contact and are appropriate.
3. A nurse receives a needlestick injury after administering an intramuscular
injection. What is the first action the nurse should take?
A. Report the incident to the supervisor
B. Complete an incident report
C. Wash the site with soap and water
D. Obtain the source patient’s blood for testing
C. Wash the site with soap and water
Immediately after a needlestick or sharps injury, the nurse should wash the
puncture site with soap and water or flush mucous membranes with water to
reduce the risk of bloodborne pathogen transmission. Reporting the incident
(option A), completing an incident report (option B), and obtaining source
patient testing (option D) are all necessary steps, but they follow the initial
decontamination of the site. Prompt washing takes priority according to Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
4. The nurse is caring for a client on contact precautions for Clostridioides
difficile infection. Which hand hygiene method is most appropriate after
removing gloves?
A. Alcohol-based hand rub
B. Soap and water
C. Chlorhexidine gluconate solution only
D. No additional hand hygiene is needed
,B. Soap and water
Alcohol-based hand rubs are not reliably effective against C. difficile spores; the
mechanical friction of soap and water is required to physically remove spores
from the hands. Chlorhexidine gluconate (option C) does not kill spores and is
not a substitute for washing with soap and water. Hand hygiene must always be
performed after glove removal (option D is incorrect). Soap and water
handwashing is the standard for all clients with known or suspected C. difficile
infection.
5. The nurse is implementing a plan of care for an older adult client at high risk
for falls. Which intervention should the nurse prioritize?
A. Raise all four side rails at all times
B. Place the bed in the highest position for care
C. Ensure the client’s call light is within reach
D. Apply a vest restraint when the client is alone
C. Ensure the client’s call light is within reach
Maintaining easy access to the call light allows the client to request assistance
before attempting to get up independently, reducing fall risk. Raising all four
side rails (option A) is considered a restraint and can increase the risk of injury if
the client attempts to climb over them. The bed should be kept in the lowest
position with wheels locked (option B incorrect). Vest restraints (option D) are a
physical restraint used only as a last resort when less restrictive measures have
failed, not as a first-line intervention.
6. A client is admitted with suspected meningococcal meningitis. Which
personal protective equipment does the nurse need when providing direct
care within 3 feet of the client?
A. Gloves and gown
B. N95 respirator and face shield
C. Surgical mask and gloves
D. Gown, gloves, and surgical mask
D. Gown, gloves, and surgical mask
Meningococcal meningitis requires droplet precautions, which include a surgical
, mask for close contact, along with standard precautions (gloves and gown if risk
of splashing or soiling). An N95 respirator (option B) is used for airborne
precautions, not droplet. Gloves alone or mask alone are insufficient; both a
mask and gloves with a gown for direct contact are indicated. Option D captures
all components for routine direct care of a client on droplet precautions.
7. A nurse observes smoke coming from an electrical outlet in a client’s room.
Using the RACE fire response protocol, which action should the nurse take
first?
A. Close all doors in the area
B. Activate the fire alarm
C. Extinguish the fire with an appropriate extinguisher
D. Rescue clients who are in immediate danger
D. Rescue clients who are in immediate danger
RACE stands for Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish. The first step is to rescue
(remove) any clients and staff in immediate danger from the fire area. After
rescue, the alarm is activated (option B), then doors are closed to contain the
fire (option A), and finally the fire is extinguished (option C) if it is safe to do so.
8. A nurse is teaching a family about home safety for a client with Alzheimer
disease. Which recommendation is most important to prevent injury?
A. Place rubber mats in the bathtub
B. Install safety locks on doors leading outside
C. Keep a nightlight on in the bathroom
D. Store cleaning supplies under the sink
B. Install safety locks on doors leading outside
Wandering and elopement are serious safety concerns for clients with Alzheimer
disease. Installing locks or alarms on exterior doors prevents the client from
leaving unsupervised and becoming lost. Rubber mats (option A) reduce fall risk
but are not the most urgent elopement safety measure. A nightlight (option C)
helps prevent falls at night. Cleaning supplies (option D) should be locked away,
not stored under an accessible sink, to prevent poisoning.
