RNSG 1517 – Protection and Regulation
Semester 1 Comprehensive Examination with
answer key
Name: Date: Score: ______ / 150
____________________ ____________________
Question Type Details Score
Multiple Choice (150 questions) 1 point each ________
Total / 150
Instructions
This exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions worth 1 point each (Total: 150
points).
Select the BEST answer for each question. Only one answer is correct.
Read each question carefully before selecting your answer.
There is no penalty for guessing – answer every question.
Record your answers clearly on the answer sheet or in the space provided.
Time allowed: 3 hours.
All questions are based on content covered in RNSG 1517 Protection and Regulation,
Semester 1.
1. Which of the following best describes medical asepsis?
A. A practice that eliminates all microorganisms, including pathogens and spores
B. A practice that reduces the number and inhibits the growth of pathogenic
microorganisms
C. A technique used only in operating rooms to maintain sterility
1
,D. A method of sterilizing surgical instruments before use
2. A nurse is preparing to perform a sterile dressing change. Which action violates
surgical asepsis?
A. Holding sterile objects above waist level
B. Touching the outer 1 inch of the sterile field
C. Opening a sterile package away from the body
D. Pouring sterile solution into a sterile basin without splashing
3. The chain of infection consists of six components. Which component can the nurse
most easily control?
A. Causative agent B. Reservoir C. Portal of entry D. Susceptible host
4. When performing hand hygiene with soap and water, the nurse should rub hands
together for at least how many seconds?
A. 10 seconds B. 15 seconds C. 20 seconds D. 30 seconds
5. Which type of transmission-based precaution is required for a patient diagnosed
with tuberculosis?
A. Contact B. Droplet C. Airborne D. Standard
precautions precautions precautions precautions
6. A patient has been diagnosed with Clostridioides difficile (C. diff). Which type of
precaution should the nurse implement?
A. Airborne B. Droplet C. Contact D. Enhanced
precautions precautions precautions standard
precautions
7. The nurse is caring for a patient with influenza. Which personal protective
equipment (PPE) is most important when entering the room?
A. N95 respirator B. Surgical mask C. Gown and D. Face shield
gloves
8. Which of the following is an example of a fomite?
A. Droplets from a sneeze B. A contaminated blood pressure cuff
C. Uncovered cough from a patient D. An insect vector
2
,9. The nurse is removing personal protective equipment after caring for a patient in
contact precautions. In which order should the PPE be removed?
A. Gloves, gown, mask, hand hygiene B. Mask, gown, gloves, hand hygiene
C. Gloves, mask, gown, hand hygiene D. Gown, gloves, mask, hand hygiene
10. Which of the following statements about hand hygiene is correct?
A. Alcohol-based hand rubs are effective against C. difficile spores
B. Hand hygiene is only necessary before and after patient contact
C. Alcohol-based hand rubs are preferred when hands are visibly soiled
D. Antimicrobial soap is not necessary for routine hand hygiene
11. A nurse accidentally receives a needlestick injury from a patient with known
hepatitis B. What is the first action the nurse should take?
A. Report the incident to the charge B. Clean the wound with soap and water
nurse
C. Complete an incident report D. Seek immediate medical evaluation
12. Which of the following is the most effective method to sterilize surgical
instruments?
A. Boiling for 30 minutes B. Chemical disinfection with
glutaraldehyde
C. Autoclaving (steam under pressure) D. Ultraviolet light exposure
13. The nurse understands that the primary purpose of surgical asepsis is to:
A. Reduce the number of B. Eliminate all microorganisms from
microorganisms on the skin objects and areas
C. Prevent cross-contamination between D. Destroy only pathogenic organisms
patients
14. A patient with measles is admitted to the hospital. Which type of isolation room is
required?
A. Standard room with the door closed B. Negative-pressure room with the door
closed
C. Positive-pressure room with the door D. Room with HEPA filtration only
closed
3
, 15. Which of the following is considered a critical item that requires sterilization
before use?
A. Stethoscope B. Blood pressure C. Surgical scalpel D. Bedside
cuff commode
16. The nurse is teaching a patient about hand hygiene at home. Which statement by
the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A. I should wash my hands before B. I should use hand sanitizer when my
preparing food hands look clean
C. I should wash my hands after using D. I only need to wash my hands when
the restroom they are visibly dirty
17. Disinfection differs from sterilization in that disinfection:
A. Destroys all microorganisms including spores
B. Eliminates only pathogenic microorganisms on inanimate objects
C. Reduces the number of pathogenic microorganisms but does not destroy all of
them
D. Is only used on living tissue
18. The nurse is caring for a patient with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE).
In addition to contact precautions, which intervention is most important?
A. Placing the patient in a negative- B. Using dedicated equipment for the
pressure room patient
C. Requiring all staff to wear N95 D. Restricting all visitors from the room
respirators
19. Which statement about the use of alcohol-based hand rubs is accurate?
A. They are effective against all types of pathogens including spores
B. They should be applied to wet hands
C. They require rinsing with water after application
D. They are the preferred method for hand hygiene when hands are not visibly
soiled
4
Semester 1 Comprehensive Examination with
answer key
Name: Date: Score: ______ / 150
____________________ ____________________
Question Type Details Score
Multiple Choice (150 questions) 1 point each ________
Total / 150
Instructions
This exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions worth 1 point each (Total: 150
points).
Select the BEST answer for each question. Only one answer is correct.
Read each question carefully before selecting your answer.
There is no penalty for guessing – answer every question.
Record your answers clearly on the answer sheet or in the space provided.
Time allowed: 3 hours.
All questions are based on content covered in RNSG 1517 Protection and Regulation,
Semester 1.
1. Which of the following best describes medical asepsis?
A. A practice that eliminates all microorganisms, including pathogens and spores
B. A practice that reduces the number and inhibits the growth of pathogenic
microorganisms
C. A technique used only in operating rooms to maintain sterility
1
,D. A method of sterilizing surgical instruments before use
2. A nurse is preparing to perform a sterile dressing change. Which action violates
surgical asepsis?
A. Holding sterile objects above waist level
B. Touching the outer 1 inch of the sterile field
C. Opening a sterile package away from the body
D. Pouring sterile solution into a sterile basin without splashing
3. The chain of infection consists of six components. Which component can the nurse
most easily control?
A. Causative agent B. Reservoir C. Portal of entry D. Susceptible host
4. When performing hand hygiene with soap and water, the nurse should rub hands
together for at least how many seconds?
A. 10 seconds B. 15 seconds C. 20 seconds D. 30 seconds
5. Which type of transmission-based precaution is required for a patient diagnosed
with tuberculosis?
A. Contact B. Droplet C. Airborne D. Standard
precautions precautions precautions precautions
6. A patient has been diagnosed with Clostridioides difficile (C. diff). Which type of
precaution should the nurse implement?
A. Airborne B. Droplet C. Contact D. Enhanced
precautions precautions precautions standard
precautions
7. The nurse is caring for a patient with influenza. Which personal protective
equipment (PPE) is most important when entering the room?
A. N95 respirator B. Surgical mask C. Gown and D. Face shield
gloves
8. Which of the following is an example of a fomite?
A. Droplets from a sneeze B. A contaminated blood pressure cuff
C. Uncovered cough from a patient D. An insect vector
2
,9. The nurse is removing personal protective equipment after caring for a patient in
contact precautions. In which order should the PPE be removed?
A. Gloves, gown, mask, hand hygiene B. Mask, gown, gloves, hand hygiene
C. Gloves, mask, gown, hand hygiene D. Gown, gloves, mask, hand hygiene
10. Which of the following statements about hand hygiene is correct?
A. Alcohol-based hand rubs are effective against C. difficile spores
B. Hand hygiene is only necessary before and after patient contact
C. Alcohol-based hand rubs are preferred when hands are visibly soiled
D. Antimicrobial soap is not necessary for routine hand hygiene
11. A nurse accidentally receives a needlestick injury from a patient with known
hepatitis B. What is the first action the nurse should take?
A. Report the incident to the charge B. Clean the wound with soap and water
nurse
C. Complete an incident report D. Seek immediate medical evaluation
12. Which of the following is the most effective method to sterilize surgical
instruments?
A. Boiling for 30 minutes B. Chemical disinfection with
glutaraldehyde
C. Autoclaving (steam under pressure) D. Ultraviolet light exposure
13. The nurse understands that the primary purpose of surgical asepsis is to:
A. Reduce the number of B. Eliminate all microorganisms from
microorganisms on the skin objects and areas
C. Prevent cross-contamination between D. Destroy only pathogenic organisms
patients
14. A patient with measles is admitted to the hospital. Which type of isolation room is
required?
A. Standard room with the door closed B. Negative-pressure room with the door
closed
C. Positive-pressure room with the door D. Room with HEPA filtration only
closed
3
, 15. Which of the following is considered a critical item that requires sterilization
before use?
A. Stethoscope B. Blood pressure C. Surgical scalpel D. Bedside
cuff commode
16. The nurse is teaching a patient about hand hygiene at home. Which statement by
the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A. I should wash my hands before B. I should use hand sanitizer when my
preparing food hands look clean
C. I should wash my hands after using D. I only need to wash my hands when
the restroom they are visibly dirty
17. Disinfection differs from sterilization in that disinfection:
A. Destroys all microorganisms including spores
B. Eliminates only pathogenic microorganisms on inanimate objects
C. Reduces the number of pathogenic microorganisms but does not destroy all of
them
D. Is only used on living tissue
18. The nurse is caring for a patient with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE).
In addition to contact precautions, which intervention is most important?
A. Placing the patient in a negative- B. Using dedicated equipment for the
pressure room patient
C. Requiring all staff to wear N95 D. Restricting all visitors from the room
respirators
19. Which statement about the use of alcohol-based hand rubs is accurate?
A. They are effective against all types of pathogens including spores
B. They should be applied to wet hands
C. They require rinsing with water after application
D. They are the preferred method for hand hygiene when hands are not visibly
soiled
4
