REVIEW 2026–2027
PRACTICE QUESTIONS & CLINICAL SCENARIOS
Nursing Safety & Infection Control Review 2026–2027
,Section I: Standard Precautions & Hand Hygiene
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene after caring
for a client with *Clostridioides difficile* infection. Which
method is required?
A) Alcohol-based hand rub only
B) Soap and water only
C) Either soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub
D) No hand hygiene needed after glove removal
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand rubs are not sporicidal and are ineffective against *C. difficile*
spores. Soap and water must be used for hand hygiene after caring for clients with spore-forming
organisms. Alcohol-based hand rubs remain appropriate for routine hand hygiene when hands are
not visibly soiled and for organisms other than spore-formers .
Question 2
A nurse is preparing to perform a wound dressing change.
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
Correct 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. Wearing gloves does not replace
hand hygiene .
Question 3
Which action should the nurse use for every client,
Nursing Safety & Infection Control Review 2026–2027
, regardless of diagnosis?
A) Wear an N95 respirator
B) Apply standard precautions
C) Place the client in negative pressure
D) Use sterile gloves for all contact
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Standard precautions apply to every client and are selected according to anticipated
exposure to blood, body fluids, nonintact skin, or mucous membranes . Section II: Transmission-
Based Precautions
Question 4
The nurse is caring for a client with active pulmonary
tuberculosis. Which type of precautions should the nurse implement?
A) Standard precautions only
B) Contact precautions
C) Droplet precautions
D) Airborne precautions
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Pulmonary tuberculosis is transmitted via airborne droplet nuclei that can remain
suspended in the air for long periods. Airborne precautions require a negative-pressure room, N95
respirator or higher, and standard precautions. Contact precautions are for direct/indirect
contact with infectious material; droplet precautions are for large respiratory droplets (e.g.,
influenza, pertussis) .
Question 5
A client with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis requires
which room and respiratory protection?
A) Positive-pressure room and surgical mask
B) Private room and no mask
C) Negative-pressure room and fit-tested N95 respirator
Nursing Safety & Infection Control Review 2026–2027
, D) Contact-isolation room and face shield only
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Airborne precautions require an airborne infection isolation room with negative
pressure and a fit-tested N95 or higher-level respirator. A surgical mask alone is not adequate
protection for staff entering the room .
Question 6
The nurse is preparing to enter the room of a client
with *Clostridium difficile* infection. Which action is most
appropriate?
A) Wear a surgical mask
B) Wear a gown and gloves
C) Use an alcohol-based hand rub after removing gloves
D) Place the client in a negative-pressure room
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: *C. difficile* requires contact precautions, which include wearing a gown and gloves
when entering the room. Alcohol-based hand rubs are not effective against *C. difficile* spores;
soap and water must be used for hand hygiene. A surgical mask is not required unless there is risk
of splash; a negative-pressure room is for airborne precautions .
Question 7
A client with influenza requires transport for a necessary
test. Which action should the nurse take?
A) Have the client wear a surgical mask during transport and
notify the receiving department
B) Transport without any precautions since the client is leaving the unit
C) Place a respirator on the client during transport
D) Delay the test until the client is no longer infectious
Correct Answer: A
Nursing Safety & Infection Control Review 2026–2027
PRACTICE QUESTIONS & CLINICAL SCENARIOS
Nursing Safety & Infection Control Review 2026–2027
,Section I: Standard Precautions & Hand Hygiene
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene after caring
for a client with *Clostridioides difficile* infection. Which
method is required?
A) Alcohol-based hand rub only
B) Soap and water only
C) Either soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub
D) No hand hygiene needed after glove removal
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand rubs are not sporicidal and are ineffective against *C. difficile*
spores. Soap and water must be used for hand hygiene after caring for clients with spore-forming
organisms. Alcohol-based hand rubs remain appropriate for routine hand hygiene when hands are
not visibly soiled and for organisms other than spore-formers .
Question 2
A nurse is preparing to perform a wound dressing change.
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
Correct 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. Wearing gloves does not replace
hand hygiene .
Question 3
Which action should the nurse use for every client,
Nursing Safety & Infection Control Review 2026–2027
, regardless of diagnosis?
A) Wear an N95 respirator
B) Apply standard precautions
C) Place the client in negative pressure
D) Use sterile gloves for all contact
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Standard precautions apply to every client and are selected according to anticipated
exposure to blood, body fluids, nonintact skin, or mucous membranes . Section II: Transmission-
Based Precautions
Question 4
The nurse is caring for a client with active pulmonary
tuberculosis. Which type of precautions should the nurse implement?
A) Standard precautions only
B) Contact precautions
C) Droplet precautions
D) Airborne precautions
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Pulmonary tuberculosis is transmitted via airborne droplet nuclei that can remain
suspended in the air for long periods. Airborne precautions require a negative-pressure room, N95
respirator or higher, and standard precautions. Contact precautions are for direct/indirect
contact with infectious material; droplet precautions are for large respiratory droplets (e.g.,
influenza, pertussis) .
Question 5
A client with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis requires
which room and respiratory protection?
A) Positive-pressure room and surgical mask
B) Private room and no mask
C) Negative-pressure room and fit-tested N95 respirator
Nursing Safety & Infection Control Review 2026–2027
, D) Contact-isolation room and face shield only
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Airborne precautions require an airborne infection isolation room with negative
pressure and a fit-tested N95 or higher-level respirator. A surgical mask alone is not adequate
protection for staff entering the room .
Question 6
The nurse is preparing to enter the room of a client
with *Clostridium difficile* infection. Which action is most
appropriate?
A) Wear a surgical mask
B) Wear a gown and gloves
C) Use an alcohol-based hand rub after removing gloves
D) Place the client in a negative-pressure room
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: *C. difficile* requires contact precautions, which include wearing a gown and gloves
when entering the room. Alcohol-based hand rubs are not effective against *C. difficile* spores;
soap and water must be used for hand hygiene. A surgical mask is not required unless there is risk
of splash; a negative-pressure room is for airborne precautions .
Question 7
A client with influenza requires transport for a necessary
test. Which action should the nurse take?
A) Have the client wear a surgical mask during transport and
notify the receiving department
B) Transport without any precautions since the client is leaving the unit
C) Place a respirator on the client during transport
D) Delay the test until the client is no longer infectious
Correct Answer: A
Nursing Safety & Infection Control Review 2026–2027
