NUR 170: Concepts of Medical-Surgical
Nursing Questions And Answers With
Verified Study Solutions Rated A+
SECTION 1: INFECTION CONTROL AND SAFETY (Questions 1-40)
Question 1
A nurse is preparing a sterile field for a bedside procedure. Which action would
contaminate the sterile field?
A) Placing sterile items at least 1 inch from the edge of the field
B) Opening the first flap of a sterile package away from the body
C) Placing a cotton ball dampened with sterile normal saline on the field
D) Pouring sterile solution into a sterile container from a height of 4 inches
Answer: C
Rationale: A cotton ball dampened with sterile normal saline contaminates the sterile
field because moisture can wick microorganisms from the non-sterile surface below
through capillary action . The 1-inch border around the sterile field is considered
contaminated, so items should be placed at least 1 inch from the edge. The first flap of a
sterile package should be opened away from the body to prevent the nurse's clothing
from brushing against the sterile contents. Sterile solutions should be poured from a
height of 4-6 inches to prevent splashing, which could contaminate the field .
Question 2
What is the primary goal of surgical asepsis?
,A) To reduce the number of microorganisms
B) To eliminate all microorganisms and their spores
C) To decrease the transmission of pathogens
D) To clean the environment
Answer: B
Rationale: Surgical asepsis (sterile technique) aims to eliminate ALL microorganisms
and their spores. This is different from medical asepsis (clean technique), which only
reduces the number and spread of microorganisms. Surgical asepsis is required for
invasive procedures that enter sterile body cavities or the vascular system .
Question 3
A nurse is preparing to open a sterile package. How should the first flap be opened?
A) Toward the body
B) Away from the body
C) To the left side
D) To the right side
Answer: B
Rationale: The first flap of a sterile package should be opened away from the body to
prevent the nurse's non-sterile clothing or body from brushing against the sterile
contents. Opening toward the body would risk contamination from the nurse's uniform.
Side openings occur after the first flap is secured .
Question 4
Which patient is at highest risk for developing a healthcare-associated infection (HAI)?
,A) A patient with a urinary catheter
B) A patient with a surgical wound
C) A patient with an IV line
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Rationale: Patients with invasive devices such as urinary catheters, surgical wounds, and
IV lines are at increased risk for healthcare-associated infections. These devices provide
a direct portal of entry for microorganisms, bypassing the body's natural defense
mechanisms .
Question 5
Standard precautions apply to which patients?
A) Patients with known infections only
B) Patients with suspected infections only
C) All patients, regardless of infection status
D) Patients in isolation only
Answer: C
Rationale: Standard precautions apply to ALL patients, regardless of their known or
suspected infection status. They are the foundation of infection prevention and control
and should be used for every patient interaction. This includes hand hygiene, use of
personal protective equipment (PPE) when exposure to blood or body fluids is
anticipated, and safe injection practices .
, Question 6
Which condition requires airborne precautions?
A) Influenza
B) Tuberculosis
C) MRSA
D) C. difficile
Answer: B
Rationale: Tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, which include use of an N95
respirator and placement in a negative pressure room. Influenza requires droplet
precautions, while MRSA and C. difficile require contact precautions. The transmission
route determines the type of precautions needed .
Question 7
Which condition requires contact precautions?
A) Influenza
B) Tuberculosis
C) MRSA
D) Measles
Answer: C
Rationale: MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) requires contact
precautions, which include gloves and gown. Contact precautions prevent transmission
through direct patient contact or contact with contaminated environmental surfaces.
Influenza requires droplet precautions, tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, and
measles requires airborne precautions .
Nursing Questions And Answers With
Verified Study Solutions Rated A+
SECTION 1: INFECTION CONTROL AND SAFETY (Questions 1-40)
Question 1
A nurse is preparing a sterile field for a bedside procedure. Which action would
contaminate the sterile field?
A) Placing sterile items at least 1 inch from the edge of the field
B) Opening the first flap of a sterile package away from the body
C) Placing a cotton ball dampened with sterile normal saline on the field
D) Pouring sterile solution into a sterile container from a height of 4 inches
Answer: C
Rationale: A cotton ball dampened with sterile normal saline contaminates the sterile
field because moisture can wick microorganisms from the non-sterile surface below
through capillary action . The 1-inch border around the sterile field is considered
contaminated, so items should be placed at least 1 inch from the edge. The first flap of a
sterile package should be opened away from the body to prevent the nurse's clothing
from brushing against the sterile contents. Sterile solutions should be poured from a
height of 4-6 inches to prevent splashing, which could contaminate the field .
Question 2
What is the primary goal of surgical asepsis?
,A) To reduce the number of microorganisms
B) To eliminate all microorganisms and their spores
C) To decrease the transmission of pathogens
D) To clean the environment
Answer: B
Rationale: Surgical asepsis (sterile technique) aims to eliminate ALL microorganisms
and their spores. This is different from medical asepsis (clean technique), which only
reduces the number and spread of microorganisms. Surgical asepsis is required for
invasive procedures that enter sterile body cavities or the vascular system .
Question 3
A nurse is preparing to open a sterile package. How should the first flap be opened?
A) Toward the body
B) Away from the body
C) To the left side
D) To the right side
Answer: B
Rationale: The first flap of a sterile package should be opened away from the body to
prevent the nurse's non-sterile clothing or body from brushing against the sterile
contents. Opening toward the body would risk contamination from the nurse's uniform.
Side openings occur after the first flap is secured .
Question 4
Which patient is at highest risk for developing a healthcare-associated infection (HAI)?
,A) A patient with a urinary catheter
B) A patient with a surgical wound
C) A patient with an IV line
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Rationale: Patients with invasive devices such as urinary catheters, surgical wounds, and
IV lines are at increased risk for healthcare-associated infections. These devices provide
a direct portal of entry for microorganisms, bypassing the body's natural defense
mechanisms .
Question 5
Standard precautions apply to which patients?
A) Patients with known infections only
B) Patients with suspected infections only
C) All patients, regardless of infection status
D) Patients in isolation only
Answer: C
Rationale: Standard precautions apply to ALL patients, regardless of their known or
suspected infection status. They are the foundation of infection prevention and control
and should be used for every patient interaction. This includes hand hygiene, use of
personal protective equipment (PPE) when exposure to blood or body fluids is
anticipated, and safe injection practices .
, Question 6
Which condition requires airborne precautions?
A) Influenza
B) Tuberculosis
C) MRSA
D) C. difficile
Answer: B
Rationale: Tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, which include use of an N95
respirator and placement in a negative pressure room. Influenza requires droplet
precautions, while MRSA and C. difficile require contact precautions. The transmission
route determines the type of precautions needed .
Question 7
Which condition requires contact precautions?
A) Influenza
B) Tuberculosis
C) MRSA
D) Measles
Answer: C
Rationale: MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) requires contact
precautions, which include gloves and gown. Contact precautions prevent transmission
through direct patient contact or contact with contaminated environmental surfaces.
Influenza requires droplet precautions, tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, and
measles requires airborne precautions .
