Exam — Exam Questions with Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A Instant Download PDF Infection
Prevention and Control Competency
Question 1
Which action is considered the most important component of
routine hand hygiene in healthcare?
A. Wearing gloves during every patient interaction
B. Using an antimicrobial lotion after each patient encounter
C. Performing hand hygiene at the appropriate moments and
using the correct technique
D. Wearing a surgical mask whenever entering a patient room
Correct answer: C. Performing hand hygiene at the
appropriate moments and using the correct technique
Hand hygiene is a fundamental infection-prevention measure
because healthcare workers' hands can readily transfer
microorganisms between patients, surfaces, equipment, and
healthcare workers. Effective hand hygiene requires recognizing
the appropriate indications and using either an alcohol-based
hand rub or soap and water when indicated. Gloves do not
,replace hand hygiene, and unnecessary use of masks or lotions
does not address the primary mechanism of transmission.
Question 2
When hands are not visibly soiled, which product is generally
preferred for routine hand antisepsis in most healthcare
situations?
A. Plain water
B. Alcohol-based hand rub
C. Talcum powder
D. Petroleum jelly
Correct answer: B. Alcohol-based hand rub
Alcohol-based hand rub is generally preferred for routine hand
hygiene when hands are not visibly dirty because it acts rapidly
against many microorganisms, is readily accessible, and can
improve compliance when conveniently located at the point of
care. Soap and water remain necessary when hands are visibly
soiled and in certain specific clinical situations. The product
must be applied in an adequate amount and rubbed over all
hand surfaces until dry.
Question 3
,Which situation requires handwashing with soap and water
rather than relying solely on an alcohol-based hand rub?
A. Before entering a clean patient room
B. After taking a patient's blood pressure
C. When hands are visibly soiled
D. Before touching a clean medication package
Correct answer: C. When hands are visibly soiled
Visible soil, blood, body fluids, or certain contaminants can
make soap-and-water handwashing necessary. Mechanical
washing helps remove organic material and microorganisms
from the hands. Alcohol-based hand rub is highly useful for
routine hand hygiene but should not be treated as a universal
replacement for washing with soap and water when hands are
visibly contaminated.
Question 4
Which statement about wearing gloves is correct?
A. Gloves eliminate the need for hand hygiene
B. The same gloves may be used between patients if they look
clean
C. Gloves should always be worn instead of performing hand
hygiene
, D. Gloves are an additional protective measure and do not
replace hand hygiene
Correct answer: D. Gloves are an additional protective
measure and do not replace hand hygiene
Gloves provide a barrier against contamination of the
healthcare worker's hands and can reduce transmission when
appropriately used. However, gloves may have microscopic
defects or become contaminated during care. Hand hygiene
should therefore be performed before putting on gloves and
after removing them, with the exact timing determined by the
clinical situation. Gloves should also be changed between
patients and between contaminated and clean tasks when
appropriate.
Question 5
A healthcare worker is moving from a contaminated body site
to a clean body site on the same patient. What is the
appropriate infection-prevention action?
A. Continue using the same gloves
B. Wipe the gloves with a disinfectant and continue
C. Change gloves and perform hand hygiene as appropriate
before the clean task
D. Remove the gloves only after completing all patient care
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A Instant Download PDF Infection
Prevention and Control Competency
Question 1
Which action is considered the most important component of
routine hand hygiene in healthcare?
A. Wearing gloves during every patient interaction
B. Using an antimicrobial lotion after each patient encounter
C. Performing hand hygiene at the appropriate moments and
using the correct technique
D. Wearing a surgical mask whenever entering a patient room
Correct answer: C. Performing hand hygiene at the
appropriate moments and using the correct technique
Hand hygiene is a fundamental infection-prevention measure
because healthcare workers' hands can readily transfer
microorganisms between patients, surfaces, equipment, and
healthcare workers. Effective hand hygiene requires recognizing
the appropriate indications and using either an alcohol-based
hand rub or soap and water when indicated. Gloves do not
,replace hand hygiene, and unnecessary use of masks or lotions
does not address the primary mechanism of transmission.
Question 2
When hands are not visibly soiled, which product is generally
preferred for routine hand antisepsis in most healthcare
situations?
A. Plain water
B. Alcohol-based hand rub
C. Talcum powder
D. Petroleum jelly
Correct answer: B. Alcohol-based hand rub
Alcohol-based hand rub is generally preferred for routine hand
hygiene when hands are not visibly dirty because it acts rapidly
against many microorganisms, is readily accessible, and can
improve compliance when conveniently located at the point of
care. Soap and water remain necessary when hands are visibly
soiled and in certain specific clinical situations. The product
must be applied in an adequate amount and rubbed over all
hand surfaces until dry.
Question 3
,Which situation requires handwashing with soap and water
rather than relying solely on an alcohol-based hand rub?
A. Before entering a clean patient room
B. After taking a patient's blood pressure
C. When hands are visibly soiled
D. Before touching a clean medication package
Correct answer: C. When hands are visibly soiled
Visible soil, blood, body fluids, or certain contaminants can
make soap-and-water handwashing necessary. Mechanical
washing helps remove organic material and microorganisms
from the hands. Alcohol-based hand rub is highly useful for
routine hand hygiene but should not be treated as a universal
replacement for washing with soap and water when hands are
visibly contaminated.
Question 4
Which statement about wearing gloves is correct?
A. Gloves eliminate the need for hand hygiene
B. The same gloves may be used between patients if they look
clean
C. Gloves should always be worn instead of performing hand
hygiene
, D. Gloves are an additional protective measure and do not
replace hand hygiene
Correct answer: D. Gloves are an additional protective
measure and do not replace hand hygiene
Gloves provide a barrier against contamination of the
healthcare worker's hands and can reduce transmission when
appropriately used. However, gloves may have microscopic
defects or become contaminated during care. Hand hygiene
should therefore be performed before putting on gloves and
after removing them, with the exact timing determined by the
clinical situation. Gloves should also be changed between
patients and between contaminated and clean tasks when
appropriate.
Question 5
A healthcare worker is moving from a contaminated body site
to a clean body site on the same patient. What is the
appropriate infection-prevention action?
A. Continue using the same gloves
B. Wipe the gloves with a disinfectant and continue
C. Change gloves and perform hand hygiene as appropriate
before the clean task
D. Remove the gloves only after completing all patient care
