NCLEX RN Safety and Infection Control
Practice Exam 1 100 Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant
Download Pdf
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who is at high risk for falls. Which intervention is
most appropriate?
A. Keep all four side rails raised at all times
B. Place the client’s belongings within reach
C. Keep the room completely dark at night
D. Encourage the client to ambulate independently
Answer: B. Place the client’s belongings within reach
Rationale: Keeping needed items within reach reduces the need for the client
to get out of bed without assistance and decreases fall risk. Four side rails
may constitute a restraint, and independence should be encouraged only
when safe.
Question 2
A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which action best
prevents a medication error?
A. Ask another nurse to identify the medication
B. Compare the medication label with the medication administration record
C. Prepare medications for several clients at the same time
D. Administer medications based on room number
,Answer: B. Compare the medication label with the medication administration
record
Rationale: Comparing the medication label with the medication
administration record during medication preparation and administration
helps ensure the correct medication is given to the correct client.
Question 3
A client with Clostridioides difficile infection requires which type of
precautions?
A. Droplet precautions
B. Airborne precautions
C. Contact precautions
D. Protective precautions
Answer: C. Contact precautions
Rationale: C. difficile is transmitted primarily by spores through contact.
Contact precautions, including gown and gloves, are required, and soap-and-
water hand hygiene is preferred because alcohol-based hand sanitizers do not
reliably destroy spores.
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis. Which
precaution is appropriate?
A. Contact precautions
B. Droplet precautions
C. Airborne precautions
D. Standard precautions only
Answer: C. Airborne precautions
Rationale: Pulmonary tuberculosis is transmitted through airborne particles.
The client should be placed in an airborne infection isolation room, and
healthcare personnel should use a fit-tested respirator such as an N95 or
equivalent.
Question 5
,Which action by a nurse demonstrates proper hand hygiene?
A. Wearing gloves instead of performing hand hygiene
B. Washing hands with soap and water after removing gloves
C. Using alcohol-based sanitizer when hands are visibly soiled
D. Touching the faucet with clean hands after washing
Answer: B. Washing hands with soap and water after removing gloves
Rationale: Gloves do not replace hand hygiene. Hands should be cleaned
after glove removal. Soap and water should be used when hands are visibly
soiled.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client receiving oxygen therapy. Which intervention is the
priority?
A. Allow the client to smoke near an open window
B. Keep electrical equipment away from the oxygen source
C. Apply petroleum jelly to the client’s lips
D. Store flammable materials near the oxygen equipment
Answer: B. Keep electrical equipment away from the oxygen source
Rationale: Oxygen supports combustion. Electrical equipment and other
ignition sources should be handled carefully, and smoking or open flames
must be prohibited. Petroleum-based products should also be avoided around
oxygen.
Question 7
A nurse discovers a fire in a client’s room. What should the nurse do first?
A. Activate the fire alarm
B. Extinguish the fire
C. Remove the client from immediate danger
D. Close all unit doors
Answer: C. Remove the client from immediate danger
, Rationale: The first priority during a fire is to rescue anyone in immediate
danger. The nurse then activates the alarm, contains the fire when possible,
and extinguishes it if appropriate.
Question 8
Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client with a temperature of 38.1°C (100.6°F)
B. A client requesting assistance with bathing
C. A client with new-onset stridor
D. A client reporting mild incisional pain
Answer: C. A client with new-onset stridor
Rationale: Stridor indicates upper-airway obstruction and can rapidly
progress to respiratory failure. Airway problems take priority over the other
findings.
Question 9
A nurse is caring for a client who has a seizure disorder. Which intervention is
appropriate during a seizure?
A. Insert a padded tongue blade into the client’s mouth
B. Restrain the client’s extremities
C. Turn the client to the side
D. Offer oral fluids
Answer: C. Turn the client to the side
Rationale: Turning the client to the side helps maintain airway patency and
allows secretions to drain. Objects should never be placed in the client’s
mouth, and the client should not be restrained.
Question 10
A nurse is teaching a client about preventing infection at home. Which
statement indicates understanding?
A. “I should share towels with family members.”
B. “I should wash my hands before preparing food.”
Practice Exam 1 100 Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant
Download Pdf
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who is at high risk for falls. Which intervention is
most appropriate?
A. Keep all four side rails raised at all times
B. Place the client’s belongings within reach
C. Keep the room completely dark at night
D. Encourage the client to ambulate independently
Answer: B. Place the client’s belongings within reach
Rationale: Keeping needed items within reach reduces the need for the client
to get out of bed without assistance and decreases fall risk. Four side rails
may constitute a restraint, and independence should be encouraged only
when safe.
Question 2
A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which action best
prevents a medication error?
A. Ask another nurse to identify the medication
B. Compare the medication label with the medication administration record
C. Prepare medications for several clients at the same time
D. Administer medications based on room number
,Answer: B. Compare the medication label with the medication administration
record
Rationale: Comparing the medication label with the medication
administration record during medication preparation and administration
helps ensure the correct medication is given to the correct client.
Question 3
A client with Clostridioides difficile infection requires which type of
precautions?
A. Droplet precautions
B. Airborne precautions
C. Contact precautions
D. Protective precautions
Answer: C. Contact precautions
Rationale: C. difficile is transmitted primarily by spores through contact.
Contact precautions, including gown and gloves, are required, and soap-and-
water hand hygiene is preferred because alcohol-based hand sanitizers do not
reliably destroy spores.
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis. Which
precaution is appropriate?
A. Contact precautions
B. Droplet precautions
C. Airborne precautions
D. Standard precautions only
Answer: C. Airborne precautions
Rationale: Pulmonary tuberculosis is transmitted through airborne particles.
The client should be placed in an airborne infection isolation room, and
healthcare personnel should use a fit-tested respirator such as an N95 or
equivalent.
Question 5
,Which action by a nurse demonstrates proper hand hygiene?
A. Wearing gloves instead of performing hand hygiene
B. Washing hands with soap and water after removing gloves
C. Using alcohol-based sanitizer when hands are visibly soiled
D. Touching the faucet with clean hands after washing
Answer: B. Washing hands with soap and water after removing gloves
Rationale: Gloves do not replace hand hygiene. Hands should be cleaned
after glove removal. Soap and water should be used when hands are visibly
soiled.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client receiving oxygen therapy. Which intervention is the
priority?
A. Allow the client to smoke near an open window
B. Keep electrical equipment away from the oxygen source
C. Apply petroleum jelly to the client’s lips
D. Store flammable materials near the oxygen equipment
Answer: B. Keep electrical equipment away from the oxygen source
Rationale: Oxygen supports combustion. Electrical equipment and other
ignition sources should be handled carefully, and smoking or open flames
must be prohibited. Petroleum-based products should also be avoided around
oxygen.
Question 7
A nurse discovers a fire in a client’s room. What should the nurse do first?
A. Activate the fire alarm
B. Extinguish the fire
C. Remove the client from immediate danger
D. Close all unit doors
Answer: C. Remove the client from immediate danger
, Rationale: The first priority during a fire is to rescue anyone in immediate
danger. The nurse then activates the alarm, contains the fire when possible,
and extinguishes it if appropriate.
Question 8
Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client with a temperature of 38.1°C (100.6°F)
B. A client requesting assistance with bathing
C. A client with new-onset stridor
D. A client reporting mild incisional pain
Answer: C. A client with new-onset stridor
Rationale: Stridor indicates upper-airway obstruction and can rapidly
progress to respiratory failure. Airway problems take priority over the other
findings.
Question 9
A nurse is caring for a client who has a seizure disorder. Which intervention is
appropriate during a seizure?
A. Insert a padded tongue blade into the client’s mouth
B. Restrain the client’s extremities
C. Turn the client to the side
D. Offer oral fluids
Answer: C. Turn the client to the side
Rationale: Turning the client to the side helps maintain airway patency and
allows secretions to drain. Objects should never be placed in the client’s
mouth, and the client should not be restrained.
Question 10
A nurse is teaching a client about preventing infection at home. Which
statement indicates understanding?
A. “I should share towels with family members.”
B. “I should wash my hands before preparing food.”
