– Galen College
Exam Focus: Fundamental Concepts & Skills for Nursing Practice I
Format: Multiple Choice, Critical Thinking Scenarios
Target Audience: Pre-licensure Nursing Students – Galen College of Nursing
SECTION 1: INFECTION CONTROL & STANDARD
PRECAUTIONS (Questions 1–25)
1. A patient is admitted with Clostridium difficile (C. diff). Which type of
precautions is appropriate?
A) Airborne precautions
B) Droplet precautions
C) Contact precautions
D) Protective isolation
Answer: C
Rationale: C. difficile is transmitted via the fecal-oral route and can survive on
environmental surfaces. Contact precautions require a private room, gown, and gloves for
all interactions. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is not effective against C. diff spores; soap
and water must be used .
2. What is the recommended length of time for hand hygiene with soap and
water?
A) 5–10 seconds
B) 15–20 seconds
C) 20–30 seconds
D) 45–60 seconds
Answer: C
Rationale: The CDC and WHO recommend washing hands with soap and water for 20–30
,seconds to effectively remove pathogens. Friction and duration are essential for proper
hand hygiene .
3. Which patient requires droplet precautions?
A) Patient with tuberculosis
B) Patient with influenza
C) Patient with MRSA wound infection
D) Patient with C. difficile
Answer: B
Rationale: Influenza is transmitted via respiratory droplets and requires droplet
precautions, including a surgical mask and eye protection within 3 feet of the patient. TB
requires airborne precautions; MRSA and C. diff require contact precautions .
4. What is the correct order for donning personal protective equipment (PPE)?
A) Mask, gown, gloves, goggles
B) Gown, mask, goggles, gloves
C) Gloves, gown, mask, goggles
D) Goggles, mask, gown, gloves
Answer: B
Rationale: The correct sequence for donning PPE is: gown first, then mask, then goggles or
face shield, and finally gloves. This order minimizes the risk of contamination .
5. Which PPE is required for airborne precautions?
A) Surgical mask
B) N95 respirator or higher level
C) Gloves only
D) Gown and gloves
Answer: B
Rationale: Airborne precautions require an N95 respirator to filter out small airborne
, particles. This is used for tuberculosis, measles, and varicella (chickenpox), which require a
negative pressure room .
6. Which statement about transmission-based precautions is correct?
A) They replace standard precautions
B) They are used in addition to standard precautions
C) They are only needed in intensive care units
D) They only apply to airborne infections
Answer: B
Rationale: Transmission-based precautions are always used in addition to standard
precautions. Standard precautions apply to every patient regardless of infection status .
7. When should alcohol-based hand sanitizer be avoided?
A) Before touching a patient
B) After touching a patient
C) When hands are visibly soiled
D) After removing gloves
Answer: C
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is not effective when hands are visibly soiled with
dirt, blood, or body fluids. Hand washing with soap and water is required in these
situations .
8. What is the correct order for removing (doffing) PPE?
A) Gloves, goggles, gown, mask
B) Gown, gloves, goggles, mask
C) Mask, goggles, gloves, gown
D) Goggles, gloves, mask, gown