LPN/LVN Infection Prevention & Control
Competency Exam — Code: LPN-IPC-
COMP | 100-Question Advanced
Practice Exam 2026 | Questions &
Answers with Detailed Rationales |
Complete Exam Prep & Study Guide
1. A nurse is preparing to administer an injection to a client. Which action is
most important for preventing transmission of bloodborne pathogens?
A. Wearing a surgical mask
B. Using a new sterile syringe and needle for each injection
C. Cleaning the medication vial with sterile water
D. Recapping the needle immediately after use
Answer: Using a new sterile syringe and needle for each injection
Rationale: A new sterile needle and syringe must be used for every injection and
every client. Reusing syringes can contaminate medication vials and transmit
bloodborne pathogens.
, 2. Which hand-hygiene action is required after caring for a client with
Clostridioides difficile?
A. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer only
B. Wash hands with soap and water
C. Wipe hands with an antiseptic wipe
D. Wear gloves instead of performing hand hygiene
Answer: Wash hands with soap and water
Rationale: C. difficile spores are resistant to alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Soap
and water physically remove spores from the hands.
3. A client is suspected of having pulmonary tuberculosis. Which type of
precautions should the LPN/LVN initiate?
A. Contact precautions
B. Droplet precautions
C. Airborne precautions
D. Protective precautions
Answer: Airborne precautions
Rationale: Pulmonary tuberculosis can be transmitted through airborne droplet
nuclei. Airborne precautions include an appropriate respirator and an airborne
infection isolation room when available.
4. Which personal protective equipment is most appropriate when entering
the room of a client on contact precautions?
A. Gloves and gown
B. N95 respirator only
C. Surgical mask only
D. Face shield only
Answer: Gloves and gown
,Rationale: Contact precautions require PPE that protects the healthcare worker
from direct or indirect contact with infectious material.
5. A nurse removes a pair of gloves after changing a contaminated dressing.
What should the nurse do next?
A. Apply another pair of gloves
B. Perform hand hygiene
C. Touch the medication cart
D. Document the procedure immediately
Answer: Perform hand hygiene
Rationale: Gloves do not replace hand hygiene. Hands may become
contaminated during glove removal, so hand hygiene is required after glove
removal.
6. Which action demonstrates correct sterile technique?
A. Keeping sterile supplies below waist level
B. Reaching over a sterile field
C. Opening a sterile package away from the body
D. Considering the outer 1-inch border of a sterile field sterile
Answer: Opening a sterile package away from the body
Rationale: Sterile technique requires maintaining visibility and protecting the
sterile field. The outer 1-inch border is considered contaminated.
7. A client with influenza is coughing frequently. Which precaution is most
appropriate?
A. Airborne
B. Droplet
C. Contact only
D. Protective isolation
Answer: Droplet
, Rationale: Influenza is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets.
Droplet precautions generally include a surgical mask and appropriate standard
precautions.
8. Which client should the LPN/LVN see first?
A. A client with a draining wound who needs a dressing change
B. A client with C. difficile requesting assistance to the bathroom
C. A client with suspected meningococcal meningitis who has new respiratory
distress
D. A client with a urinary tract infection requesting oral fluids
Answer: A client with suspected meningococcal meningitis who has new
respiratory distress
Rationale: Acute respiratory compromise is an immediate priority.
Meningococcal infection also requires prompt droplet precautions and medical
intervention.
9. Which practice is most effective for preventing catheter-associated urinary
tract infections?
A. Irrigating the catheter routinely
B. Maintaining a closed drainage system
C. Disconnecting the tubing every shift
D. Placing the drainage bag on the bed
Answer: Maintaining a closed drainage system
Rationale: Maintaining a closed urinary drainage system reduces opportunities
for microorganisms to enter the urinary tract.
10.Which finding indicates that a urinary drainage bag is positioned
incorrectly?
A. The bag is below bladder level
B. The tubing is secured
Competency Exam — Code: LPN-IPC-
COMP | 100-Question Advanced
Practice Exam 2026 | Questions &
Answers with Detailed Rationales |
Complete Exam Prep & Study Guide
1. A nurse is preparing to administer an injection to a client. Which action is
most important for preventing transmission of bloodborne pathogens?
A. Wearing a surgical mask
B. Using a new sterile syringe and needle for each injection
C. Cleaning the medication vial with sterile water
D. Recapping the needle immediately after use
Answer: Using a new sterile syringe and needle for each injection
Rationale: A new sterile needle and syringe must be used for every injection and
every client. Reusing syringes can contaminate medication vials and transmit
bloodborne pathogens.
, 2. Which hand-hygiene action is required after caring for a client with
Clostridioides difficile?
A. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer only
B. Wash hands with soap and water
C. Wipe hands with an antiseptic wipe
D. Wear gloves instead of performing hand hygiene
Answer: Wash hands with soap and water
Rationale: C. difficile spores are resistant to alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Soap
and water physically remove spores from the hands.
3. A client is suspected of having pulmonary tuberculosis. Which type of
precautions should the LPN/LVN initiate?
A. Contact precautions
B. Droplet precautions
C. Airborne precautions
D. Protective precautions
Answer: Airborne precautions
Rationale: Pulmonary tuberculosis can be transmitted through airborne droplet
nuclei. Airborne precautions include an appropriate respirator and an airborne
infection isolation room when available.
4. Which personal protective equipment is most appropriate when entering
the room of a client on contact precautions?
A. Gloves and gown
B. N95 respirator only
C. Surgical mask only
D. Face shield only
Answer: Gloves and gown
,Rationale: Contact precautions require PPE that protects the healthcare worker
from direct or indirect contact with infectious material.
5. A nurse removes a pair of gloves after changing a contaminated dressing.
What should the nurse do next?
A. Apply another pair of gloves
B. Perform hand hygiene
C. Touch the medication cart
D. Document the procedure immediately
Answer: Perform hand hygiene
Rationale: Gloves do not replace hand hygiene. Hands may become
contaminated during glove removal, so hand hygiene is required after glove
removal.
6. Which action demonstrates correct sterile technique?
A. Keeping sterile supplies below waist level
B. Reaching over a sterile field
C. Opening a sterile package away from the body
D. Considering the outer 1-inch border of a sterile field sterile
Answer: Opening a sterile package away from the body
Rationale: Sterile technique requires maintaining visibility and protecting the
sterile field. The outer 1-inch border is considered contaminated.
7. A client with influenza is coughing frequently. Which precaution is most
appropriate?
A. Airborne
B. Droplet
C. Contact only
D. Protective isolation
Answer: Droplet
, Rationale: Influenza is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets.
Droplet precautions generally include a surgical mask and appropriate standard
precautions.
8. Which client should the LPN/LVN see first?
A. A client with a draining wound who needs a dressing change
B. A client with C. difficile requesting assistance to the bathroom
C. A client with suspected meningococcal meningitis who has new respiratory
distress
D. A client with a urinary tract infection requesting oral fluids
Answer: A client with suspected meningococcal meningitis who has new
respiratory distress
Rationale: Acute respiratory compromise is an immediate priority.
Meningococcal infection also requires prompt droplet precautions and medical
intervention.
9. Which practice is most effective for preventing catheter-associated urinary
tract infections?
A. Irrigating the catheter routinely
B. Maintaining a closed drainage system
C. Disconnecting the tubing every shift
D. Placing the drainage bag on the bed
Answer: Maintaining a closed drainage system
Rationale: Maintaining a closed urinary drainage system reduces opportunities
for microorganisms to enter the urinary tract.
10.Which finding indicates that a urinary drainage bag is positioned
incorrectly?
A. The bag is below bladder level
B. The tubing is secured
