ATI Fundamentals | NGN Infection Control & Isolation Precautions
Master Pack 2026/2027 |Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a stool culture. Which
of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Place the specimen in a sterile container.
B. Collect the specimen using a clean tongue blade.
C. Mix the stool with urine if the client voids.
D. Maintain the specimen at room temperature.
Answer: B
Rationale: Stool cultures are collected using a clean tongue blade to transfer the specimen
to a clean container. It does not need to be sterile, but it must not be contaminated with
urine or water.
2. Which stage of infection is characterized by the interval between the
entrance of the pathogen into the body and the appearance of first symptoms?
A. Prodromal stage
B. Illness stage
C. Incubation period
D. Convalescence
Answer: C
Rationale: The incubation period is the time between the pathogen entering the body and
the first appearance of symptoms.
,3. A nurse is caring for a client who has Clostridium difficile (C. diff). Which of
the following hand hygiene methods is required?
A. Alcohol-based hand rub
B. Povidone-iodine scrub
C. Hand washing with soap and water
D. Chlorhexidine wipes
Answer: C
Rationale: For C. diff, alcohol-based rubs are ineffective against spores; hand washing with
soap and water is mandatory to physically remove spores.
4. Which of the following is an example of a portal of exit in the chain of
infection?
A. Respiratory tract via coughing
B. Intact skin
C. Fomites like a blood pressure cuff
D. A person with a suppressed immune system
Answer: A
Rationale: The respiratory tract (via coughing or sneezing) is a portal of exit through
which pathogens leave the reservoir.
5. A client is placed on Airborne Precautions. Which of the following PPE is
specifically required for this type of precaution?
A. Surgical mask
B. N95 respirator
C. Goggles
D. Face shield
Answer: B
Rationale: Airborne precautions require the use of an N95 respirator or HEPA filter to
prevent inhalation of small droplets that remain suspended in the air.
, 6. What is the correct sequence for donning Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE)?
A. Mask, Goggles, Gown, Gloves
B. Gloves, Gown, Mask, Goggles
C. Gown, Mask, Goggles, Gloves
D. Gown, Gloves, Goggles, Mask
Answer: C
Rationale: The standard sequence for donning is Gown, then Mask/Respirator, then
Goggles/Face Shield, and finally Gloves.
7. A nurse is preparing a sterile field. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take?
A. Reach over the sterile field to pick up an item.
B. Hold sterile items at least 2 inches above the field before dropping them.
C. Turn away from the sterile field to grab supplies.
D. Maintain a 1-inch border around the edge of the sterile field as non-sterile.
Answer: D
Rationale: The outer 1-inch (2.5 cm) border of a sterile field is considered contaminated
and non-sterile.
8. A client has a localized infection in a wound. Which of the following findings
should the nurse expect?
A. Fever and chills
B. Malaise and fatigue
C. Enlarged lymph nodes throughout the body
D. Edema and erythema at the site
Answer: D
Rationale: Localized infection signs include redness (erythema), swelling (edema), pain,
and warmth at the specific site.
Master Pack 2026/2027 |Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a stool culture. Which
of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Place the specimen in a sterile container.
B. Collect the specimen using a clean tongue blade.
C. Mix the stool with urine if the client voids.
D. Maintain the specimen at room temperature.
Answer: B
Rationale: Stool cultures are collected using a clean tongue blade to transfer the specimen
to a clean container. It does not need to be sterile, but it must not be contaminated with
urine or water.
2. Which stage of infection is characterized by the interval between the
entrance of the pathogen into the body and the appearance of first symptoms?
A. Prodromal stage
B. Illness stage
C. Incubation period
D. Convalescence
Answer: C
Rationale: The incubation period is the time between the pathogen entering the body and
the first appearance of symptoms.
,3. A nurse is caring for a client who has Clostridium difficile (C. diff). Which of
the following hand hygiene methods is required?
A. Alcohol-based hand rub
B. Povidone-iodine scrub
C. Hand washing with soap and water
D. Chlorhexidine wipes
Answer: C
Rationale: For C. diff, alcohol-based rubs are ineffective against spores; hand washing with
soap and water is mandatory to physically remove spores.
4. Which of the following is an example of a portal of exit in the chain of
infection?
A. Respiratory tract via coughing
B. Intact skin
C. Fomites like a blood pressure cuff
D. A person with a suppressed immune system
Answer: A
Rationale: The respiratory tract (via coughing or sneezing) is a portal of exit through
which pathogens leave the reservoir.
5. A client is placed on Airborne Precautions. Which of the following PPE is
specifically required for this type of precaution?
A. Surgical mask
B. N95 respirator
C. Goggles
D. Face shield
Answer: B
Rationale: Airborne precautions require the use of an N95 respirator or HEPA filter to
prevent inhalation of small droplets that remain suspended in the air.
, 6. What is the correct sequence for donning Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE)?
A. Mask, Goggles, Gown, Gloves
B. Gloves, Gown, Mask, Goggles
C. Gown, Mask, Goggles, Gloves
D. Gown, Gloves, Goggles, Mask
Answer: C
Rationale: The standard sequence for donning is Gown, then Mask/Respirator, then
Goggles/Face Shield, and finally Gloves.
7. A nurse is preparing a sterile field. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take?
A. Reach over the sterile field to pick up an item.
B. Hold sterile items at least 2 inches above the field before dropping them.
C. Turn away from the sterile field to grab supplies.
D. Maintain a 1-inch border around the edge of the sterile field as non-sterile.
Answer: D
Rationale: The outer 1-inch (2.5 cm) border of a sterile field is considered contaminated
and non-sterile.
8. A client has a localized infection in a wound. Which of the following findings
should the nurse expect?
A. Fever and chills
B. Malaise and fatigue
C. Enlarged lymph nodes throughout the body
D. Edema and erythema at the site
Answer: D
Rationale: Localized infection signs include redness (erythema), swelling (edema), pain,
and warmth at the specific site.
