1
HESI Specialty Exam Bank: Infection Prevention &
Transmission Based Precautions
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Fundamentals of Standard Precautions & Infection Control ........................... 2
Subtopic 2: Transmission-Based Precautions (Airborne, Droplet, Contact) ........................ 9
Subtopic 3: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Use and Compliance Monitoring ......... 17
Subtopic 4: Environmental Cleaning, Disinfection, and Equipment Handling................... 25
Subtopic 5: Airborne, Droplet, and Contact Isolation Techniques in Healthcare ............... 32
, 2
Subtopic 1: Fundamentals of Standard Precautions &
Infection Control
Questions 1–20
1. Which of the following is a component of standard precautions for all patient care?
A. Use of HEPA filters in all patient rooms
B. Hand hygiene before and after patient contact
C. Wearing N95 respirators for all interactions
D. Administering antibiotics prophylactically
Correct Answer: B. Hand hygiene before and after patient contact
Rationale: Standard precautions apply to all patients regardless of infection status. Hand
hygiene is the cornerstone of infection prevention and must be performed before and after
patient contact.
2. When should gloves be changed during a procedure?
A. Every 2 hours
B. Between tasks on the same patient if cross-contamination is possible
C. After removing a gown
D. Only if visibly soiled
Correct Answer: B. Between tasks on the same patient if cross-contamination is possible
Rationale: Gloves should be changed between tasks on the same patient to prevent cross-
contamination between different body sites.
3. Which type of PPE is required when anticipating splashes of blood or body fluids?
, 3
A. Gown only
B. Gloves only
C. Face shield or goggles and mask
D. Shoe covers
Correct Answer: C. Face shield or goggles and mask
Rationale: When splashes of blood or body fluids are anticipated, protection for mucous
membranes (eyes, nose, mouth) is essential using face shields or goggles and a mask.
4. What is the primary route of transmission for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)?
A. Airborne particles
B. Unwashed hands of healthcare workers
C. Contaminated surgical instruments
D. Waterborne pathogens
Correct Answer: B. Unwashed hands of healthcare workers
Rationale: The most common route of transmission for HAIs is through the hands of
healthcare workers who fail to perform proper hand hygiene.
5. What should be done with used needles and sharps after use?
A. Recap and dispose in regular trash
B. Place in red biohazard bags
C. Dispose immediately in a puncture-resistant sharps container
D. Soak in bleach before disposal
Correct Answer: C. Dispose immediately in a puncture-resistant sharps container
, 4
Rationale: Used sharps should be disposed of in clearly labeled, puncture-proof sharps
containers to prevent needle-stick injuries.
6. When is hand hygiene with soap and water required instead of alcohol-based rubs?
A. After removing gloves
B. Before eating
C. After contact with a patient with C. difficile
D. After measuring blood pressure
Correct Answer: C. After contact with a patient with C. difficile
Rationale: Soap and water are required to remove spores from pathogens like
Clostridioides difficile, which alcohol-based hand rubs cannot eliminate effectively.
7. What is the recommended PPE for contact precautions?
A. Surgical mask and gloves
B. Gown and gloves
C. N95 mask only
D. Gown, gloves, and face shield
Correct Answer: B. Gown and gloves
Rationale: Contact precautions require gown and gloves to prevent transmission of
organisms through direct or indirect contact with the patient or environment.
8. Which is the most appropriate action after accidental blood splash to the eyes?
A. Wipe eyes with a tissue
B. Flush with normal saline for 30 seconds
C. Irrigate with clean water or saline for 10–15 minutes
HESI Specialty Exam Bank: Infection Prevention &
Transmission Based Precautions
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Fundamentals of Standard Precautions & Infection Control ........................... 2
Subtopic 2: Transmission-Based Precautions (Airborne, Droplet, Contact) ........................ 9
Subtopic 3: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Use and Compliance Monitoring ......... 17
Subtopic 4: Environmental Cleaning, Disinfection, and Equipment Handling................... 25
Subtopic 5: Airborne, Droplet, and Contact Isolation Techniques in Healthcare ............... 32
, 2
Subtopic 1: Fundamentals of Standard Precautions &
Infection Control
Questions 1–20
1. Which of the following is a component of standard precautions for all patient care?
A. Use of HEPA filters in all patient rooms
B. Hand hygiene before and after patient contact
C. Wearing N95 respirators for all interactions
D. Administering antibiotics prophylactically
Correct Answer: B. Hand hygiene before and after patient contact
Rationale: Standard precautions apply to all patients regardless of infection status. Hand
hygiene is the cornerstone of infection prevention and must be performed before and after
patient contact.
2. When should gloves be changed during a procedure?
A. Every 2 hours
B. Between tasks on the same patient if cross-contamination is possible
C. After removing a gown
D. Only if visibly soiled
Correct Answer: B. Between tasks on the same patient if cross-contamination is possible
Rationale: Gloves should be changed between tasks on the same patient to prevent cross-
contamination between different body sites.
3. Which type of PPE is required when anticipating splashes of blood or body fluids?
, 3
A. Gown only
B. Gloves only
C. Face shield or goggles and mask
D. Shoe covers
Correct Answer: C. Face shield or goggles and mask
Rationale: When splashes of blood or body fluids are anticipated, protection for mucous
membranes (eyes, nose, mouth) is essential using face shields or goggles and a mask.
4. What is the primary route of transmission for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)?
A. Airborne particles
B. Unwashed hands of healthcare workers
C. Contaminated surgical instruments
D. Waterborne pathogens
Correct Answer: B. Unwashed hands of healthcare workers
Rationale: The most common route of transmission for HAIs is through the hands of
healthcare workers who fail to perform proper hand hygiene.
5. What should be done with used needles and sharps after use?
A. Recap and dispose in regular trash
B. Place in red biohazard bags
C. Dispose immediately in a puncture-resistant sharps container
D. Soak in bleach before disposal
Correct Answer: C. Dispose immediately in a puncture-resistant sharps container
, 4
Rationale: Used sharps should be disposed of in clearly labeled, puncture-proof sharps
containers to prevent needle-stick injuries.
6. When is hand hygiene with soap and water required instead of alcohol-based rubs?
A. After removing gloves
B. Before eating
C. After contact with a patient with C. difficile
D. After measuring blood pressure
Correct Answer: C. After contact with a patient with C. difficile
Rationale: Soap and water are required to remove spores from pathogens like
Clostridioides difficile, which alcohol-based hand rubs cannot eliminate effectively.
7. What is the recommended PPE for contact precautions?
A. Surgical mask and gloves
B. Gown and gloves
C. N95 mask only
D. Gown, gloves, and face shield
Correct Answer: B. Gown and gloves
Rationale: Contact precautions require gown and gloves to prevent transmission of
organisms through direct or indirect contact with the patient or environment.
8. Which is the most appropriate action after accidental blood splash to the eyes?
A. Wipe eyes with a tissue
B. Flush with normal saline for 30 seconds
C. Irrigate with clean water or saline for 10–15 minutes
