ATI Safety and Infection Control Exam –
100+ Practice Questions with Answers &
Rationales 2026
SECTION 1: HAND HYGIENE & STANDARD PRECAUTIONS
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene. According to evidence-based practice, what is the
minimum recommended time for scrubbing with soap and water?
A. 5 seconds
B. 10 seconds
C. 20 seconds
D. 60 seconds
Answer: C
Rationale: The CDC recommends scrubbing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to
effectively remove microorganisms. Handwashing with soap and water should last at least 15 to 20
seconds.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client with Clostridioides difficile infection. Which hand hygiene method is
required?
,A. Alcohol-based hand rub only
B. Soap and water only
C. Either soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizer
D. No hand hygiene needed after glove removal
Answer: B
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not effective against C. difficile spores. Soap and water
must be used for hand hygiene. The friction and rinsing action of soap and water mechanically removes
the spores from the hands.
Question 3
A nurse is performing hand hygiene after caring for a client with Clostridioides difficile. Which method is
most appropriate?
A. Use an alcohol-based hand rub for 15 seconds
B. Wash hands with soap and water
C. Rinse hands with hot water only
D. Apply sterile gloves before leaving the room
Answer: B
Rationale: Soap and water is required for C. diff because alcohol-based rubs are ineffective against the
spores.
Question 4
A nurse is preparing to perform a wound dressing change for a patient with a pressure injury. Which
action demonstrates proper hand hygiene?
A. Washing hands with soap and water for 5 seconds
,B. Using alcohol-based hand sanitizer when hands are visibly soiled
C. Washing hands with soap and water for at least 15 seconds
D. Wearing gloves instead of performing hand hygiene
Answer: C
Rationale: Hand washing with soap and water should last at least 15 to 20 seconds. Alcohol-based
sanitizer is not effective when hands are visibly soiled.
Question 5
Standard precautions should be applied to which clients?
A. Only clients with known infections
B. Only clients who are immunocompromised
C. Every client receiving care
D. Only clients in isolation
Answer: C
Rationale: Standard Precautions are applied to every patient because infections may be present even
when not known. They are the foundation of infection prevention and should be used for all client care.
Question 6
What is the single most important infection prevention measure?
A. Wearing gloves
B. Hand hygiene
C. Using personal protective equipment
D. Isolating infected clients
, Answer: B
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the most important infection prevention measure and should be performed
before applying PPE.
Question 7
A nurse is preparing to enter a patient's room. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Don personal protective equipment
B. Perform hand hygiene
C. Review the patient's chart
D. Knock on the door
Answer: B
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the most important infection prevention measure and should be performed
before applying PPE.
Question 8
Which of the following products can affect the permeability of latex gloves?
A. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer
B. Petroleum-based hand lotion
C. Chlorhexidine solution
D. Soap and water
Answer: B
100+ Practice Questions with Answers &
Rationales 2026
SECTION 1: HAND HYGIENE & STANDARD PRECAUTIONS
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene. According to evidence-based practice, what is the
minimum recommended time for scrubbing with soap and water?
A. 5 seconds
B. 10 seconds
C. 20 seconds
D. 60 seconds
Answer: C
Rationale: The CDC recommends scrubbing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to
effectively remove microorganisms. Handwashing with soap and water should last at least 15 to 20
seconds.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client with Clostridioides difficile infection. Which hand hygiene method is
required?
,A. Alcohol-based hand rub only
B. Soap and water only
C. Either soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizer
D. No hand hygiene needed after glove removal
Answer: B
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not effective against C. difficile spores. Soap and water
must be used for hand hygiene. The friction and rinsing action of soap and water mechanically removes
the spores from the hands.
Question 3
A nurse is performing hand hygiene after caring for a client with Clostridioides difficile. Which method is
most appropriate?
A. Use an alcohol-based hand rub for 15 seconds
B. Wash hands with soap and water
C. Rinse hands with hot water only
D. Apply sterile gloves before leaving the room
Answer: B
Rationale: Soap and water is required for C. diff because alcohol-based rubs are ineffective against the
spores.
Question 4
A nurse is preparing to perform a wound dressing change for a patient with a pressure injury. Which
action demonstrates proper hand hygiene?
A. Washing hands with soap and water for 5 seconds
,B. Using alcohol-based hand sanitizer when hands are visibly soiled
C. Washing hands with soap and water for at least 15 seconds
D. Wearing gloves instead of performing hand hygiene
Answer: C
Rationale: Hand washing with soap and water should last at least 15 to 20 seconds. Alcohol-based
sanitizer is not effective when hands are visibly soiled.
Question 5
Standard precautions should be applied to which clients?
A. Only clients with known infections
B. Only clients who are immunocompromised
C. Every client receiving care
D. Only clients in isolation
Answer: C
Rationale: Standard Precautions are applied to every patient because infections may be present even
when not known. They are the foundation of infection prevention and should be used for all client care.
Question 6
What is the single most important infection prevention measure?
A. Wearing gloves
B. Hand hygiene
C. Using personal protective equipment
D. Isolating infected clients
, Answer: B
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the most important infection prevention measure and should be performed
before applying PPE.
Question 7
A nurse is preparing to enter a patient's room. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Don personal protective equipment
B. Perform hand hygiene
C. Review the patient's chart
D. Knock on the door
Answer: B
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the most important infection prevention measure and should be performed
before applying PPE.
Question 8
Which of the following products can affect the permeability of latex gloves?
A. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer
B. Petroleum-based hand lotion
C. Chlorhexidine solution
D. Soap and water
Answer: B
