NUR 107 – Clinical Nursing Practice I
Clinical Practice Study Guide, Patient Care
Skills, Professional Competencies, Clinical
Rotations, and Examination Review
Q1. A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene. Which of the following is the
correct technique for handwashing with soap and water?
A) Wash hands for 5 seconds, rinse, and dry
B) Wash hands for at least 15–20 seconds, rinse, and dry with a clean towel
C) Wash hands for 30 seconds, rinse, and dry with a paper towel
D) Wash hands for 10 seconds, rinse, and dry with a cloth towel
Answer: B — Wash hands for at least 15–20 seconds, rinse, and dry with a
clean towel
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most effective measure to prevent the
spread of infections. The CDC recommends washing hands with soap and water
for at least 15–20 seconds, rubbing all surfaces of the hands, rinsing with water,
and drying with a clean towel (or air drying). When using alcohol-based hand
sanitizer, the product should be rubbed over all surfaces until dry. Hand hygiene
should be performed before and after patient contact, before and after procedures,
and after contact with contaminated surfaces.
Q2. A nurse is preparing to insert a urinary catheter for a patient. Which of the
following is the correct order for donning personal protective equipment (PPE)?
A) Gown, mask, gloves, goggles
B) Gown, mask, goggles, gloves
C) Gloves, gown, mask, goggles
D) Mask, goggles, gown, gloves
Answer: B — Gown, mask, goggles, gloves
,Rationale: The correct order for donning PPE is: Gown, Mask (or
respirator), Goggles (or face shield), and Gloves. This sequence ensures that the
healthcare worker is fully protected and reduces the risk of contamination. The
gown is put on first to cover the body, followed by the mask, then goggles, and
gloves last. Removing PPE follows a different sequence to avoid contamination:
gloves, goggles, gown, mask.
Q3. A nurse is caring for a patient with a wound infection caused by methicillin-
resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Which type of precautions should the
nurse implement?
A) Standard precautions only
B) Airborne precautions
C) Contact precautions
D) Droplet precautions
Answer: C — Contact precautions
Rationale: Contact precautions are required for patients with infections that are
spread by direct or indirect contact, including MRSA, VRE, and C. difficile.
Contact precautions include wearing a gown and gloves when entering the patient's
room, using dedicated equipment, and placing the patient in a private room or with
a patient with the same infection. Hand hygiene is essential before and after
contact. Standard precautions are used for all patients, but contact precautions are
added for specific infections.
Q4. A nurse is preparing to don a sterile gown for a surgical procedure. Which of
the following is a principle of sterile technique?
A) Sterile items may touch any surface
B) The sterile field must be kept within the nurse's line of sight
C) Sterile gloves may be touched by unsterile hands
D) The sterile field may be turned away from
Answer: B — The sterile field must be kept within the nurse's line of sight
Rationale: Principles of sterile technique include: the sterile field must be kept
within the nurse's line of sight and above waist level, sterile items should only
,touch other sterile items, the edges of the sterile field are considered contaminated,
and once the sterile field is set up, it should not be left unattended. Sterile gloves
should only be touched by other sterile gloves. Sterile items should not touch
unsterile surfaces.
Q5. A nurse is caring for a patient on airborne precautions. Which of the following
is required for airborne precautions?
A) Standard precautions only
B) Negative pressure room, N95 respirator, and patient wearing a surgical
mask when outside the room
C) Gown and gloves
D) Positive pressure room
Answer: B — Negative pressure room, N95 respirator, and patient wearing a
surgical mask when outside the room
Rationale: Airborne precautions are required for infections spread by airborne
droplet nuclei, such as tuberculosis, measles, and varicella (chickenpox) .
Airborne precautions include: a negative pressure room (airborne infection
isolation room), an N95 respirator (or higher) for healthcare workers, and the
patient wearing a surgical mask when leaving the room. The door should be kept
closed. Standard precautions are also implemented.
Q6. A nurse is preparing to administer an injection. Which of the following is the
correct site for an intramuscular injection in an adult?
A) The vastus lateralis
B) The ventrogluteal site
C) The deltoid
D) The gluteal site
Answer: B — The ventrogluteal site
Rationale: The ventrogluteal site is the preferred site for intramuscular injections
in adults due to its location away from major nerves and blood vessels. The
dorsogluteal site is no longer recommended due to the proximity of the sciatic
nerve. The vastus lateralis is the preferred site for infants and toddlers. The deltoid
, is used for smaller volumes (up to 2 mL). The ventrogluteal site is located in the
hip area and is identified by the triangle formed by the anterior superior iliac spine,
the iliac crest, and the greater trochanter.
Q7. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication via the subcutaneous route.
Which of the following is the correct angle of insertion for a subcutaneous
injection?
A) 90 degrees
B) 15 degrees
C) 45 degrees (or 90 degrees, depending on the patient's body mass)
D) 5 degrees
Answer: C — 45 degrees (or 90 degrees, depending on the patient's body
mass)
Rationale: For a subcutaneous injection, the needle is inserted at a 45-degree
angle if the patient has average adipose tissue, or at a 90-degree angle if the
patient has adequate adipose tissue to allow for a shorter needle. The skin is
pinched to elevate the subcutaneous tissue. The injection should be administered
into the subcutaneous tissue (not the muscle). Common sites include the abdomen,
thigh, and upper arm.
Q8. A nurse is preparing to perform a sterile dressing change. Which of the
following is a key principle of aseptic technique?
A) The sterile field may be left unattended
B) Sterile items should only be touched by other sterile items
C) The edges of the sterile field are considered sterile
D) Sterile gloves may be touched by unsterile hands
Answer: B — Sterile items should only be touched by other sterile items
Rationale: Key principles of aseptic technique include: sterile items should only
be touched by other sterile items, the sterile field must be kept within the nurse's
line of sight and above waist level, the edges of the sterile field are considered
contaminated (1-inch border), and once the sterile field is set up, it should not be
Clinical Practice Study Guide, Patient Care
Skills, Professional Competencies, Clinical
Rotations, and Examination Review
Q1. A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene. Which of the following is the
correct technique for handwashing with soap and water?
A) Wash hands for 5 seconds, rinse, and dry
B) Wash hands for at least 15–20 seconds, rinse, and dry with a clean towel
C) Wash hands for 30 seconds, rinse, and dry with a paper towel
D) Wash hands for 10 seconds, rinse, and dry with a cloth towel
Answer: B — Wash hands for at least 15–20 seconds, rinse, and dry with a
clean towel
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most effective measure to prevent the
spread of infections. The CDC recommends washing hands with soap and water
for at least 15–20 seconds, rubbing all surfaces of the hands, rinsing with water,
and drying with a clean towel (or air drying). When using alcohol-based hand
sanitizer, the product should be rubbed over all surfaces until dry. Hand hygiene
should be performed before and after patient contact, before and after procedures,
and after contact with contaminated surfaces.
Q2. A nurse is preparing to insert a urinary catheter for a patient. Which of the
following is the correct order for donning personal protective equipment (PPE)?
A) Gown, mask, gloves, goggles
B) Gown, mask, goggles, gloves
C) Gloves, gown, mask, goggles
D) Mask, goggles, gown, gloves
Answer: B — Gown, mask, goggles, gloves
,Rationale: The correct order for donning PPE is: Gown, Mask (or
respirator), Goggles (or face shield), and Gloves. This sequence ensures that the
healthcare worker is fully protected and reduces the risk of contamination. The
gown is put on first to cover the body, followed by the mask, then goggles, and
gloves last. Removing PPE follows a different sequence to avoid contamination:
gloves, goggles, gown, mask.
Q3. A nurse is caring for a patient with a wound infection caused by methicillin-
resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Which type of precautions should the
nurse implement?
A) Standard precautions only
B) Airborne precautions
C) Contact precautions
D) Droplet precautions
Answer: C — Contact precautions
Rationale: Contact precautions are required for patients with infections that are
spread by direct or indirect contact, including MRSA, VRE, and C. difficile.
Contact precautions include wearing a gown and gloves when entering the patient's
room, using dedicated equipment, and placing the patient in a private room or with
a patient with the same infection. Hand hygiene is essential before and after
contact. Standard precautions are used for all patients, but contact precautions are
added for specific infections.
Q4. A nurse is preparing to don a sterile gown for a surgical procedure. Which of
the following is a principle of sterile technique?
A) Sterile items may touch any surface
B) The sterile field must be kept within the nurse's line of sight
C) Sterile gloves may be touched by unsterile hands
D) The sterile field may be turned away from
Answer: B — The sterile field must be kept within the nurse's line of sight
Rationale: Principles of sterile technique include: the sterile field must be kept
within the nurse's line of sight and above waist level, sterile items should only
,touch other sterile items, the edges of the sterile field are considered contaminated,
and once the sterile field is set up, it should not be left unattended. Sterile gloves
should only be touched by other sterile gloves. Sterile items should not touch
unsterile surfaces.
Q5. A nurse is caring for a patient on airborne precautions. Which of the following
is required for airborne precautions?
A) Standard precautions only
B) Negative pressure room, N95 respirator, and patient wearing a surgical
mask when outside the room
C) Gown and gloves
D) Positive pressure room
Answer: B — Negative pressure room, N95 respirator, and patient wearing a
surgical mask when outside the room
Rationale: Airborne precautions are required for infections spread by airborne
droplet nuclei, such as tuberculosis, measles, and varicella (chickenpox) .
Airborne precautions include: a negative pressure room (airborne infection
isolation room), an N95 respirator (or higher) for healthcare workers, and the
patient wearing a surgical mask when leaving the room. The door should be kept
closed. Standard precautions are also implemented.
Q6. A nurse is preparing to administer an injection. Which of the following is the
correct site for an intramuscular injection in an adult?
A) The vastus lateralis
B) The ventrogluteal site
C) The deltoid
D) The gluteal site
Answer: B — The ventrogluteal site
Rationale: The ventrogluteal site is the preferred site for intramuscular injections
in adults due to its location away from major nerves and blood vessels. The
dorsogluteal site is no longer recommended due to the proximity of the sciatic
nerve. The vastus lateralis is the preferred site for infants and toddlers. The deltoid
, is used for smaller volumes (up to 2 mL). The ventrogluteal site is located in the
hip area and is identified by the triangle formed by the anterior superior iliac spine,
the iliac crest, and the greater trochanter.
Q7. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication via the subcutaneous route.
Which of the following is the correct angle of insertion for a subcutaneous
injection?
A) 90 degrees
B) 15 degrees
C) 45 degrees (or 90 degrees, depending on the patient's body mass)
D) 5 degrees
Answer: C — 45 degrees (or 90 degrees, depending on the patient's body
mass)
Rationale: For a subcutaneous injection, the needle is inserted at a 45-degree
angle if the patient has average adipose tissue, or at a 90-degree angle if the
patient has adequate adipose tissue to allow for a shorter needle. The skin is
pinched to elevate the subcutaneous tissue. The injection should be administered
into the subcutaneous tissue (not the muscle). Common sites include the abdomen,
thigh, and upper arm.
Q8. A nurse is preparing to perform a sterile dressing change. Which of the
following is a key principle of aseptic technique?
A) The sterile field may be left unattended
B) Sterile items should only be touched by other sterile items
C) The edges of the sterile field are considered sterile
D) Sterile gloves may be touched by unsterile hands
Answer: B — Sterile items should only be touched by other sterile items
Rationale: Key principles of aseptic technique include: sterile items should only
be touched by other sterile items, the sterile field must be kept within the nurse's
line of sight and above waist level, the edges of the sterile field are considered
contaminated (1-inch border), and once the sterile field is set up, it should not be
